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4 August 2015 Anna Popplewell vs Jessica Parker Kennedy

Page history last edited by Archer844 8 years, 5 months ago

Anna Popplewell 03.jpg Jessica Parker Kennedy 02.jpg

Posted by Anon on August 4, 2015, 1:02 am

Results: Lookout Writing: Anon

"My loss to Emma has really been weighing on me, and I'm just glad I get another match so I can shake it off," commented Anna Popplewell pre-fight. "In some ways, I feel worse about it than any of my other losses, because I feel I really had the potential to win, but then lost control. You're definitely going to see me pursue the knockout if I get an opportunity." As for her opponent, Jessica Parker Kennedy, Popplewell offered few specifics. "I'm glad she accepted the match, and I wish her the best of luck. I hope she's ready for a good fight, though!"

Kennedy came to the fight with a 1-1 record and a year's absence from the ring in comparison to the more experienced and active Popplewell. Additionally, the actress had taken the fight on short notice after her preferred match fell through and Popplewell's management scrambled to find a replacement for the event. Neither fighter was particularly prepared for the other specifically.

Kennedy seemed to find this to her liking. "Anna seems pretty lightly tested, and to top it off her management has no idea what it's doing," she commented. "'Oh, do you want to fight in like, two days? We can't actually get commitments from people so we're calling you.' I'm not joking, this was basically the phone call I got. So I said yes just so I could punch out the girl who put me in this position. I know it isn't exactly her fault, but I'm going to enjoy taking it out on her just the same, you know?"

Kennedy, in red athletic wear, was vaguely agreeable during the final preparations, despite her words; willing to touch gloves with the opposing brunette in blue, she endured the opening and then jumped into action at the bell.

Round 1:
Kennedy did not need any further encouragement beyond the opening bell, going on offense and bopping the taller actress on the nose before she could accomplish much of anything. Popplewell, more startled than hurt, was nevertheless set back; for most of the round, Kennedy asked the questions and forced Popplewell to answer imperfectly. While Popplewell had found her feet towards the end of the round and started to put the pressure on Kennedy, the bell cut off any chance for a turnaround. Amy Acker went over tactics with a stressed out Popplewell during the break, attempting retroactive preparation that might have helped earlier.

Round 2:
Whether she merely needed a warmup or Acker's advice was enough to tip the scales, Popplewell fared much better in the second round. Finding efficient answers to whatever Kennedy threw at her in the first minute, Popplewell went on to control the round and leave Kennedy to react while constantly off balance. While the taller brunette did not manage to hurt Kennedy significantly, she did leave her in need of a new plan.

Round 3:
The pace picked up in round three as a desperate Kennedy escalated things and Popplewell happily obliged. However, while the effort increased, the action did not, as both combatants fought to what amounted to a draw. The final score favored Popplewell, but a viewer just joining in would only see two fighters in need of a break.

Round 4:
The fourth looked to be another close contest, with both actresses matching the other during the first minute. In the second, however, Kennedy tagged Popplewell firmly on the jaw and weakened her with a follow up combination. Absorbing a second flurry of hits shortly after left Popplewell hesitant but still resistant. In a full retreat, the brunette spent the final seconds on the ropes with Kennedy working on her tummy. The break saw Acker trying to perform mid flight repairs on Popplewell's tactics, which did not seem to concern the victorious Kennedy.

Round 5:
Kennedy faced similar resistance from Popplewell in the fifth, though this time free of slip ups that might allow the shorter actress to swing things in her favor. Popplewell began to slowly grind out an inconsistent lead that, when the bell rang, barely but undeniably existed. Kennedy expressed frustration to her trainer between rounds; Popplewell's resistance was interfering with how the fight "should" go.

Round 6:
In round six Popplewell continued to pile up incremental gains. A bad reaction from Kennedy left her open for a moment and Popplewell was quick to pounce, the resulting combination knocking Kennedy's head back. The shorter brunette flailed her arms for balance and crashed to the ground in a sitting position, rubbing her face with one gloved hand and frowning. Popplewell had only a moment to pump her fist in the air and take in the crowd's attention, as Kennedy was up long before the end of the count, waving the referee away so she could try again. The results were unsurprising; Kennedy was still in fine shape, but outfought consistently by the taller brunette. Towards the end of the round, Popplewell maneuvered her into a corner and began throwing bombs, leaving her opponent's resistance broken shortly. Popplewell managed to get in two solid hits against a dazed, loose limbed Kennedy before the referee carried her off -- luckily for Kennedy, because the victorious brunette seemed happy to continue all night.

After the announcement, Popplewell bounced around the ring with a big grin on her face while Kennedy did her best to remember how her legs were supposed to work so she could make the short trip back to her stool. As usual, the victorious brunette offered a hug to her opponent before making her exit to talk to the press. "She's a tough competitor, but she hit me with everything and it just wasn't good enough. And like I said before, this time around I was looking to end the fight if I ever got the chance. After I knocked her on her butt I knew I could finish the job!"

As usual, Popplewell's social media feeds were full of candids of the actress looking happy despite her battle damage. Kennedy offered tepid congratulations after things cooled down, obviously looking to put the loss behind her.