Posted by Simguy on 8/23/2008, 9:14 am.

Before: bush working with Claire to jinx Hayden: Panettiere returning the favour by coaching Rachel in the fine art of Sophia-sinking. “It’s been interesting,” McAdams grins in prefight. “Sometimes I think Hayden wants Sophia beaten more than I do! Seriously—I know it’s personal between them , so I’m just staying out of that stuff. My plan for Sophia is pretty simple. Hayden says Bush isn’t carrying bantam well—says she’s just fat at the weight, not strong—so I’m going to fight big on her and see how she handles it. I’m a healthy bantamweight—everyone knows that. If Sophia bush is just a tourist up here, she’s gonna get mugged!” Bush champing at the bit—dismissing one of its stars instead of cupcaking-up, “I’ve always punched above my weight,” Sophia shrugs, “Rachel will feel right away that I’m a true bantam. The power that shocked Hayden will crumple McAdams as well—and my work-rate will be a shock to an aging gunslinger like Rachel. You can call me the underdog if you like, but I see a well-worn Rachel McAdams heading into a crossroads fight that isn’t going to end well for her.” Bush in bright teal push up and bikini bottoms; white gloves, Rachel midnight blue, crushed velvet push up and panties; white gloves.

During R1: Rachel presenting a rigid earmuff—leaning in towards Bush, blocking shots on the guard, then dropping stubby receipts onto Sophia’s breast tops and face. Minute mark—clobbering burst of wide lefts and rights pounds Rachel’s guard apart: she’s taking punishment to jaw and both ears…RACHEL’S ROCKED! Sophia battering bigger woman backwards—jiggling brunette baring her teeth, throwing right hands with such conviction her back (right) foot skids up off the canvas. Mac hits ropes, walks Sophia into clinch for ref’s break: no doubt about it—Rachel’s buzzed. Final minute—Mac uses her feet, circling the perimeter, feinting Soph, slipping her haymakers then pivoting around to get out of the round.

R2: More free-swinging pressure from Sophia. Bush deliberately wide with lefts and rights up top, trying to belt around the rigid, forward punching in short, stamping receipts—knocking back Bush’s face. Rachel workmanlike—blocking, then answering, then stepping forward as Sophia’s forced to back up. Mac fights big, imposes her will as Bush gets out-touched.

R3: More fury from Sophia: more discipline from Rachel, Mac calm—hands up, chin tucked as she blocks wallop up top, then issues short, chopping counters, peppering away on Sophia’s upperchest and face. Sophia scowling, unable to penetrate: meanwhile, Rachel’s pounding away, stepping forward, walking her brunette down. Anytime Bush’s back hits ropes: Rache leans in on front (left) foot to work left hooks and repeat left uppercuts—beating smaller woman’s midsection and testing her chin.

R4: Same again. Sophia frowning, prowling to either side, then trying to bludgeon her way past Rachel’s picket fence guard: Mac blocking resolute, then tattooing a wide-open Sophia in return. Punches adding up on Bush—she’s looking disheveled, stepping away on ramshackle legs to regroup: Rachel looking more and more cinfident coming forward. Down the stretch, Rachel pounds a jab off Sophia’s face; eases onto back (right) foot; pivots right around Sophia’s left hook; drops a tasty, blunt, short, sharp one-two directly on Sophia’s face. Bush’s back leg spasms and gives way—she sits-out awkward, blinking in astonishment at Rachel’s deceptive power. Bell: Hayden up on her feet ringside, whistling, clapping and shouting “YOU’RE TOO STRONG FOR HER, RACHEL!”

R5: Rachel diligently edging in off her jab, working her short, chugging left uppercut. Sophia hooking-with—clanging away to jaw even as Rachel’s digging amidships: good trade for Bush as McAdams is sent away sputtering. Rachel continues pressing up the middle—dipping-n’-ripping left uppies and hooks: Bush crafty—hanging back or fading a half-step—then neatly hooking Rachel to chin. Midway through, Mac beaten to left hands again, covers up a little buzzed: Sophia splits the mitts with a rowdy right uppercut, scoring clean to chin. RACHEL GOES DOWN! Spilling knockdown—Rache toppling in shock to her knees and elbows—upthrust buttocks jostling side to side just as surprised as the rest of her. Mac up quickly, bouncing on the spot as ref wipes her gloves: Sophia shouting taunts and grinning from neutral corner—even has a moment to blow a kiss Hayden’s way.

R6: Minor adjustments for Rachel, She’s still fronting up strong, dukes at temples, presenting a rigid blocking guard behind which she can walk Sophia down. But Mac occasionally showing a quick-pulse jab, and fading off it to the right—giving Bush some footwork and angles to worry about. Sophia swinging lustily—trying her hardest to beat down Rachel’s guard and check that chin. Rachel placing judicious, firm single-shot body blows into the Bush sternum and ribcage: Mac dipping either shoulder, then digging either hand into Sophia’s jiggling goodness. Plenty of beef on those body-knocks: Sophia visibly slowed by round’s end, mouth open, eyes distressed.

R7: Sophia just too scrappy! She rallies, bangs back—een getting after McAdams’ rack and ribcage with spirited chugging action. Rachel forced backward, grunting from Sophia’s vigor downstairs: McAdams scowling, wondering what it’s going to take to discourage this kid. Bush throwing herself at Rachel—brunette delighted to be coming forward: big, looping swings curling in around Rachel’s guard, bashing away upside the head. Mac disengaging, taking thoughtful walks to the right—she can get away from Sophia and dictate some terms—but Bush’s exuberance and fearlessness trumps Rachel’s class in the 7^th.

R8, 9: Rachel fighting a campaign of suppression now—grimly forward behind the blocking guard; knocking short, chopping counters against Sophia’s chest and face, looking to back Bush to ropes, then beat her in earnest. Bush SO game—unable to stand her ground, but scrapping foe every inch, punching heroically against the McAdams’ Portcullis Guard. At aprons and ropes—Rachel STILL has to fight hard: little Sophia baring her teeth, hooking-with and continuing to score against Rachel’s digging left uppercuts. Overall, the McAdams heft, forward progression and straighter, more effective punching clearly wins these rounds—but Bush refusing to punk or even cringe for long after absorbing exceptional blows, body and head.

R10: Rachel turns boxer, showing respect at last. Jabs, jabs, jabs from McAdams—she pivots left, pinpoint shelling away on Sophia’s face, forcing Bush to adopt the rigid, forward-facing earmuff guard. Rache dropping down to jab jug and body, then sidestep-left: she’s extending nicely, landing heavily on smaller woman’s torso, Bush STILL swinging with hate—glancing blows off hairline spooking McAdams, getting her to pick up her feet. Rachel changing directions to shake pursuit, and dropping tasty one-twos with banging effect—but it’s Sophia coming forward and swinging like she still believes she can stop her foe. Goes to the cards, comes back a tougher-than-expected UD10, Rachel McAdams.

After: Mac in a fight tonight, surprising a lot of onlookers who weren’t sure Bush could be herself at bantam. “She punches hard,” Rachel acknowledges in postfight, looking scuffed and bothered. “Not as hard as she THINKS she does—but she’s got sock, and she’s vigorous on clean up. When she had me hurt, she poured it on—she’s a very aggressive girl, just like Hayden said she’d be. She was a little sloppy—I had no problems landing on her—but she’s so spirited! There were plenty of times I thought I had her broken, and she just rallied during the break and came out fresh again. She’s a dangerous addition for HISC. She’s not as polished as Eliza, but she’s got fire that I don’t think Dushku has anymore. She’s going to push the Sheriff—you watch.”

Reposted by Archer 12/1/09.