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7 August 2020 Yvonne Strahovski vs Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Page history last edited by caspian2 3 years, 7 months ago

CELEBRITY BOXING AFTER DARK - 100TH FIGHT FOR YVONNE

Posted by Lookout! Boxing on Aug 4, 2020 at 11:49am

Yvonne Strahovski versus Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Battle On The Beach
100th Fight for Yvonne
(Bondi Beach - Sydney)
(Words & Results: Lookout!)

Before: It’s a momentous night for Yvonne as this will be her 100th fight and while she will make it into the Hall of Fame regardless of the outcome, she would not like her long-time rival and friend to spoil her evening. For such an important match-up, there was no other opponent considered besides Mary Elizabeth Winstead. Mary had given Yvonne her first loss and almost no other opponent has given Yvonne that same level of intense competition throughout her career, a point that few can debate. What many continue to debate is which one of them is better in one of the better blonde and brunette rivalries in the league. But, no matter how tonight turns out, that debate will continue. The crowd is certainly debating this as the energy and noise level is high as both fighters come into this upcoming war, which is taking place in Yvonne Strahovski’s native Australia on Bondi Beach.

Mary comes out first, bounding with energy, just beaming, “I mean, when I’m with Vonnie in the ring, it’s always special. There’s no question that she is one of the best blondes in the history of the league, but denying her the chance to walk out a winner every time is a fantastic feeling. Of course, Yvonne is one of my best friends in the business, but when she gets into the Hall of Fame or retires, which is a long way off in my opinion, I want her to remember me. The feeling of me breaking her down and making her quit again and again. And of course, getting ice cream after.”

Yvonne smiles as she listens to Mary, even though her eyes narrow, “No matter what happens with my career, Mary will always be part of the story. It seems like I’m going to make it to the Hall of Fame as long as I can keep my winning percentage where it should be, but she is right that it’s immensely special every time we compete. I’ve had that sinking, heart-breaking feeling where I see Mary’s hand raised more times than I would like. The ice cream definitely helps, but I also know I have to push myself even harder than ever to take down Mary. She’s my friend, she’s my rival, but I am going to be the one triumphant tonight. When we’re out celebrating MY entrance into the Hall of Fame after I kick her ass, ice cream will be on me.”

Yvonne in purple bikini with matching gloves - hair in fighting, slick ponytail. Mary in baby blue bikini top; navy bottoms and navy gloves - hair in a fighting fighting, but messy ponytail. Both fighters animated throughout the introductions, with plenty of energy tonight from the crowd and both fighters, given the high level of interest and stakes with such an important fight in the history of their rivalry. When the bell rings, the battle begins and thoughts of ice cream are far from the mind of either fighter…

During R1: Yvonne the aggressor. High contrast style: Mary upright, hopping the perimeter - dukes up, elbows in: Yvonne stepping in flat footed, left hand dangling at her side, left shoulder pointed at Mary; right hand near Vonnie's chin/chin tucked in behind that left shoulder. Yvonne much more bendy at the waist - head frequently rotating down below Mary's waist line, slipping stiff MEW jabs. Mary trying to dial in on Vonnie’s head: Strahovski weaving, stalking - looking for the tummy and ribcage with most of her shots. Yvonne landing loudest: good firm jabs spank on tummy; whacking tic-toc right/lefts to waist as Mary grunts, frowns at sinewy blonde power downstairs.

R2: First round butterflies over for Winstead - performance up all across the board as she takes initiative from Yvonne. Nice, spicy jab, often doubled up: Strahovski rolling and slipping in her closed stance, can't penetrate. Winstead sticking, then pivoting left around her jab - pushing in off back (right) foot to drill hard rights up the middle. Mary's right hand a sudden, triggering poke off the shoulder - surprisingly swift AND, she's able to hop in with the first to double it up, nail a second in elastic fashion. Strahovski's turn to frown and be frustrated: out on the end of brunette punches is no place for pretty Yvonne.

R3: Two way fighting - Mary continues to control the flow. Winstead pumping stick - rangy, tangy touches spanking off Yvonne's face or tracking her upperbody as Strahovski's rotating torso. Winstead nicely balanced on long, slender stems - she brings her feet with her forward or back, and when she disengages to lope the perimeter, Yvonne can only turn and watch. Midway through, Vonnie partially blocks a ringing right fish-hook uppercut - blonde scampering away, a little spooked at Winstead's rangy power. Mary stalking cautiously behind the jab, slowly negotiating Yvonne to ropes, putting clanging combinations together as Strahovski bobs and weaves at apron.

R4: Vonnie not having much luck leading - she focuses on countering/timing her rangy foe this round. Strahovski looking impresive the way she rolls to her right with Winstead's right cross - Vonnie very supple in the pocket - able to make Mary miss with head movement. Strahovski coming back off her roll-rights with sleek right hands ticketed for chin: Mary caught several times to chin as her head is up high after she gets off. Yvonne still working long brunette body: tic-toc right lefts ringing out loud off ribs and waist; the ever-present sticking tummy jab; lashing hooks swatted wide to waste as Yvonne's executing pivot-left. Mary glaring - pinking up nicely on her ribs: blonde touching brunette for points in the 4th.

R5: Winstead spitting jabs while pivoting left: Yvonne rolling and weaving feverishly, finding it more difficult to punch-with as brunette ups her output. Mary's jab gives her initiative - she's punching harder as a consequence, and she puts her punches together very nicely for a lanky-body. Winstead snarling as she twists into tight-curling hooks: very short radius as the twists torso-right, elbow up to turn the punch over flat. If that misses over top, Mary's coming back a hard-popping right uppercut, frequently picking up Strahovski chin or jugs. Mary taking blonde power fairly well - either rolling to take the sting out, or simply showing confidence - Yvonne generally in range to punch - concentrating on her foe's sinuous midsection. Wonderful stuff with Strahovski weaving and bending but Mary all narrow-eyed intensity as she spits straight punches/jerks uppercuts to outwork Vonnie through 5.

R6: Yvonne weight on right foot as she leans away, rolls right, rotates in and around. Strahovski pulling limber right hands into Mary's flank with the torso undulation - spanking out loud, drawing blonde grimaces. Yvonne snapping the up-jab - punching Winstead's face or breasts - stooping at other times to reach jab long to tummy. But the most effect Yvonne's having is that whacking, rangy right/left tic-toc off Mary's svelte waist as brunette shows earmuff. Winstead grunting, lips parting as Strahovski rings mitts off body - Strahovski able to depart without receipt as Winstead's momentarily paralyzed by body shock. Yvonne quick to see it - dark eyes dancing as Winstead shows signs of wilting: Strahovski adding a sleek, overhand right down into Mary's body to the mix, forcing Winstead to take backward steps, face-in-gloves.

R7: Yvonne rangy, limber - right hand at chest, she's jabbing, hooking, prodding left hands - bringing the left back to her hip as she's sliding to her left. Winstead cramped, face pinched - very defensive brunette not jabbing as much due to strapping blonde work downstairs - brunette keeping elbows in, hoping to protect those battered ribs. Yvonne circling, working - staying on the waist with that rangy right/left - slender-armed walloping of willowy blonde putting a stricken expression on Mary's face as she steps out after hot wallop. Down the stretch, Yvonne turning into a screened right hand, plows Mary to chin, swivelling that ponytail and her head: strong brunette legs hold Winstead up, but knees buckle as Strahovski threatens knockdown at the bell.

R8: Yvonne openly grinning now, unleashing - she's going after Winstead's body with relish. Jabs put Mary face-in-gloves; Yvonne cashing in with right/left tic-toc to waist: crowd cheering for their respective fighters in the back and forth exchange. Winstead stiffening, turning: when she punches, there's no snap, and Yvonne immediately answers with lashing vigour. Down the stretch, Winstead wilting to ropes: Yvonne extends left hand to push Mary's head to right: Strahovski deploying a series of sickening buggy-whip right hands to Winstead's exposed left flank/back. Cringing - Winstead sinks to one knee - bringing Aussie fans to their feet with a shrill cry. Strahovski bounding back, hungrily taking in the sight of Winstead blinking back tears, on bended knee with right hand in ropes for support.

R9: Yvonne presses: Winstead firms. Mary fighting hurt - all but crippled to her body - but she twists into tight-circumference rights and lefts, missing over the top as Yvonne weaves low on the approach. Right uppercut lands for Mary a minute in, picking Yvonne's face up in her crouch: Strahovski startled, still there for the follow-on hook as Winstead twists into a popping shot. Yvonne on heels, blinking hurt: Winstead steps in snarling, rifling the long right hand up the middle, finally pounding Yvonne's head back as blonde can't shoulder-roll. Strahovski toppling backward, arms pinwheeling: Winstead hopping-with, triggering the right again and Yvonne GOES DOWN! Strahovski caught and dropped to her to her back: she's propped up on elbows, shaking her head in astonishment at how much fight's left in Mary. Winstead in neutral corner, right arm across her throbbing body: she's clearly still hurt, but proving brave as she answers Yvonne, and answers, with enthusiasm.

R10: HAMMER AND SLOSHING TONGS! Strahovski forward supple - bending side to side, pulling limber wallop upside the head of Mary. Brunette very upright, getting gonged, but she's effective up the middle jabbing, ripping short right uppercuts, twisting into tidy hooks (elbow up/palm down). Both women catching leather to face - both rocked at points: Strahovski forcing Winstead to apron forces MEW to bring in elbows and swish away side to side with tight-curling lefts and rights. Yvonne dipping and countering - twisting and bending as she lashes in harm - clouting Mary upside the head wide, then looking to score tic-toc to ribs and waist. Crowd roaring - everyone on their feet: majestic mayhem unfolds in-ring as icons wail away mindless. Free-swinging exchanges: Winstead GETS CAUGHT THE RIGHT HAND! Yvonne dipping torso-left, pulls a slinging right upside jaw as Winstead fans on a limp right uppercut: brunette legs give way - she tilts back into ropes, head lolling in wonder. Vonnie leans in with the left hand on Mary's stomach, pulling an insurance right over the top to clap Winstead upside noggin again. Mary in swoon, staring, hands stacked right atop left at her chest/stomach: YVONNE’S BELTING AWAY! Strahovski has her blond stunned - leaning in and harvesting one slinging right off the jaw after another as Winstead gobbles drowsy. BELL: Mary hammered back to the stone-age - a visibly excited Yvonne dragged back by the ref as this one goes to the cards. UD10 close - Yvonne Strahovski!

AFTER: What a match and what a night - the crowd on their feet chanting “FOTY - FOTY - FOTY”, with accompanying hand claps and while there is a lot more fighting left for this year, both fighters clearly gave it their all to make this one a match worth remembering going forward. For the moment, Mary is still recovering along the ropes and Yvonne is clearly overcome by emotion - just sinking down to her knees in tears. Yvonne shouting in jubilation as she makes her way to her feet, getting swarmed by her stablemates as she is crying hard, though clearly tears of happiness at such a major moment that she has worked towards her whole career. Just beating Winstead is big enough, but given the circumstances, it’s all too much.

As Mary is able to focus and recover, she pushes herself off of the ropes to approach the mass of humanity around Yvonne. Strahovski still shaking as her stablemates part like the proverbial red sea as Mary and Yvonne stare each other down. Eyes narrowing coolly as the two of them stand there, chests heaving in and out, nostrils flaring and it appears that Yvonne is giving serious consideration to having Winstead experience a Walk of Shame, as MEW did in their very first match. In their current state, it’s unclear if Yvonne would be able to perform one or if Winstead would be able to receive one, but given their history, it would certainly be attempted. The two of them step towards one another, but instead, they fall into a hug. The two of them embracing one another in the middle of the ring as the two of them whisper into one another’s ear. Quietly enough so that the microphones can’t pick it up, even as the crowd roars and reporters try to get into the ring, but are rebuffed by the Lookout! Boxing stable and even Foxfire Boxing gets into the ring to try to provide support in such a big moment.

When Yvonne talks to reporters later, she is still overwhelmed by the moment: “I can’t even put it into words. It’s such a big moment whenever I can beat Mary, but to do it in this moment, here in Australia before my home crowd and to know that I’m going to the Hall of Fame, I’m still out of my mind excited. Mary has always supported me and of course, as I told her after the match, I’ll be there when she goes to the Hall of Fame someday, because I truly believe that. She deserves to be there and nobody matches up with me the way she does. That’s why it was really special to beat her for this honor tonight. I’ll be celebrating for a long time because I’m in the freaking Hall of Fame after tonight and nobody can take that away!!”

Of course, that celebration starts tonight. After Yvonne and Mary are done with the marathon of interviews, as well as autographs and photographs with fans, their fellow stablemates run interferences, so that they are able to slip away uninterrupted although certainly not undetected as reporters follow them out of the arena, catching the following exchange as Yvonne promises to talk Mary to the best ice cream shop in Sydney:

“I’m thinking about Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough.” Yvonne says with a grin.

“No way!” Mary says with a mock gasp, “Mint Chocolate Chip is better.”

“Cookie Dough!” Yvonne responds, sticking out her tongue and punctuating her response with a bump of her hip against Mary to take her off stride.

“Mint chocolate freaking chip!” Mary says sticking out her own tongue, bumping her butt back into Yvonne’s to take her off balance.

Continued playful shoving and an increasingly vocal debate over ice cream, as can be expected between the two of them, continues towards the ice cream shop. With discussion of apartment wrestling between the two later tonight over this topic and their general competitive nature, it’s clear that the rivalry between these two future Hall of Famers is far, far from over! Is there a better way to enter the Hall of Fame? If there is, Yvonne doesn't want to know about it.