Yvonne Strahovski vs Bryce Dallas Howard.
Result:Lookout/words:Slugg0

Bryce Dallas Howard is currently best known for “Jurassic World” among her many films. She's 34 y/o, 5'8” and just under 130 pounds and those who don't pay close attention, may confuse her with another FCBA fighter, Sophie Howard. Sophie's about the same age, the same height and close to the same weight. The big differences between them (other than BDH wears a 34A bra and Sophie a 34G) is that Bryce is an award winning actress, a California girl, and daughter of an Oscar-winning director - Ron Howard. Sophie is a British tart who gets paid to show her boobs!

While Bryce Dallas Howard isn't a household name in the FCBA, everyone knows Stra-HOT-ski! “Straho” stands just South of 5'10” and weighs comfortably less than 130 pounds. In deference to Yvonne's sensitivity on the subject, her worldwide fame, and her mile high 'Q' rating, we don't feel it necessary to mention Strahovski's bra size [cough] 34B...making her the “busty” girl in this fight!

Yvonne's blond hair in a pony tail, black string bikini showing off that classic tanned Aussie figure; Bryce in a green sports bra and boy-cut bottom. Black shoes and red (S) and white (H) gloves.

During R1: In case anyone was wondering what BDH was thinking when she took this fight, the opening minute of the first round answers that question She was clearly thinking, “I can win this” because she shows every intention of doing just that by taking the fight to Straho, putting the “Aussie Assassin” back on her heels, and keeping the blonde hopping like a 'roo the entire three minutes! Oh, Howard didn't run Yvonne out of the ring, not by any means; but she didn't back down or look intimidated either - both big pluses when you're fighting someone as talented and experienced as Strahovski! Bryce showing surprising skill for a rookie - even a 34 y/o first-timer. Clearly somebody's been training BDH for this more a lot than the FCBA is accustomed to seeing from a rookie...even one who's more than a third of century! Yvonne unflappable, takes things in stride; making the little adjustments a veteran does in the course of a fight, or even round-by-round when necessary. By the time the bell sounds, Yvonne has overcome Howard's early 'jump' and brought matters back into some semblance of balance. Still, the judges see Bryce's effort worth giving her the nod (close).

R2: Turnabout's fair dinkum! Strahovski gives the rookie a bit of her own in the second stanza, driving Bryce back into her corner with an opening salvo, just enough to remind the “kid” (BDH is actually a year older than 'veteran' Strahovski) that she's a four-time champion. Again, Howard impresses as she takes her lumps, does some 'fine tuning' and adjusts to Yvonne's adjustments with a few tweaks of her own. Middle minute as all about making those small adjustments for both fighters and the third minute gives the fans a taste of the kind of hard-fought, back-and-forth, hyphen-filled, head-to-head, action they have missed while BDH was sitting in the audience rather than fighting in the ring for the past ten or so years. Yvonne earns her points the hard way, fighting for every one, as she takes this round (close).

R3: Sensing a trend? As if the first two rounds weren't close enough, Yvonne and Bryce fight to a draw in the third. Opening minute just as even as the final minute of the previous round, then Strahovski takes charge for her sixty seconds before Howard (again making 'veteran-like' adjustments on the fly) regains the initiative to win the third round. No one thing stands out as both women show restraint when in control, maintaining their composure and not letting their emotion cloud their judgment (not that we'd expect any less from two such fine 'ladies' despite the fact each is trying to render the other insensate. Just good old fashioned, boxing with plenty of work to the body and the occasional 'chin checker' just to keep the opponent honest. Points all even-Steven thru three; fans getting their $ worth.

R4:  Change of pace. Bryce picking up where she left off in the third, getting inside Straho's defenses to attack that long, lean, beach-worthy, Aussie body! Good thing both women have 0% body fat, because they could have fought this round in a (old time folding door) telephone booth. Referee not having to do much as both women avoid the ropes and stand toe-to-toe bashing away. Second minute, Strahovski rocked by a knee-buckling right uppercut and forced to clinch. Howard hammering abs as Yvonne wraps her up high. Bryce late pushing the blond off, perhaps giving the uber-fit Aussie too much credit for her recuperative powers. Still, a solid, workman like round by the newcomer who has made a believer of Strahovski with her fists this round. Late: combinations by Howard shake Yvonne again as she lands a powerful left hook to stop Strahovski's advance, then moves her back with a big right hand. At the bell, girls slap gloves, each giving the other props for a good round - one that went Howard's way (wide).

R5: Momentum swings, again. Yvonne Strahovski's not used to being barked at in her corner, but getting an earful this time and it works! Yvonne looking serious, expression glowering, lips pursed, slapping her gloves together as she stomps angrily out of her corner. Howard's body language showing confidence; she's in with one of - if not the - top lightweights and holding her own and then some! Bryce likes Yvonne's body and gives it the attention it deserves in the opening seconds, picking up right where she left off, planting a left hook in 'Vonnie's' right flank. Straho answers immediately with a left hook that puts Bryce back on her heels and follows with a straight right. Backing up not a good thing for Bryce who is having trouble getting anything on her punches. Strahovski's one of the best at dictating pace and she puts on a clinic for the rookie this round, never giving Howard a chance to set her feet or time to think about what she should do next. It's a recipe for success and Yvonne Strahovski mixes a battering for Bryce Dallas Howard this round. By the time the bell rings, Howard's body has been subjected to a lathering unlike anything it's likely to have gotten sparring. Life is faster in the big leagues! Round to Strahovski (wide) and she takes command at the midway point of the fight.

R6: Howard slow off her stool for the first time, walking rather than running to greet Strahovski mid-ring. It's a different Yvonne this round, one who senses she's got her prey cornered and wants to finish her here and now. That's the kind of sense you get about a good, veteran, fighter - something most young or, like Howard, inexperienced, fighters need time to develop. Vonnie really pumping the jab in Bryce's face this round, snapping her head back as she slide-steps forward; patiently using one punch to set up the next two or three. Long before Howard anticipates what's coming, Strahovski is already throwing it. End comes in the second minute. After a left hook high on the head rocks Howard, Yvonne drops her “Marouba Mallet” the heavy right hand she's used to end the night of many women in her almost eight years in the FCBA and, before that, school days in Australia before she made her debut on a show called “Double the Fist” (nuff said?). Howard sent sprawling on her backside, right arm flung out, left knee raised. Bryce rolls around some, struggles to rise before falling back and covering her face with her right hand as the count passes her by as Yvonne wins by a KO6!

After: Strahovski hurries over and knees beside Howard as she's brought around, not returning to her corner until she's reassured Bryce is OK.
A good, but in the end unsuccessful, debut for the 'new' girl; one in which she showed she can be more than 'just' competitive against, not just a former champion but a perennial “best pound-for-pound” candidate. Bryce Dallas Howard's celebrity boxing career is off to an auspicious...albeit late... start. And that's a “late” not a “bad” start! Hopefully, we'll see Bryce around for a while - if only so everyone can learn how to tell the two Howard's apart for something other than the size of their bra!

“Everything you could ask for in a 'stay busy' fight,” Yvonne tells the media. “And by 'stay busy' I mean that in the best possible way. I wanted to get some work in and Bryce made me work and work hard. I can't believe this is her first FCBA fight. Where's she been for the last ten or fifteen years? I only wish I'd been able to get her in a ring at twenty or twenty five years old. Imagine the strides she could have made. By now, she'd be a top contender at light. Even so, I can see her - with as little wear and tear as she has - being a legit threat to top lightweights for several years. You usually hear words like 'trial horse' or 'gatekeeper' used disparagingly, but there's nothing wrong with someone who pushes you to be at your best and that's the LEAST I can think of for Bryce going forward.”

Howard not the least down after the KO, gives thanks to, “my good friend 'Vonnie' for giving me the chance to prove, if only to myself and my dad, that this wasn't just some fantasy. I wanted to try this years ago, but my parents, my agent, my husband all thought I was crazy. Then came the kids.... If it hadn't been for Nat (friend Natalie Portman) and my son, encouraging me to 'follow my dream' I still wouldn't be here today.

“Yvonne and the folks at Lookout! Boxing have been great and I want to take this moment to thank them for the chance to do this. I don't know yet whether I'll be back or not, but I can honestly say there was nothing about this that makes me think I WON'T come back...but that's assuming somebody asks me to do it again.” Then she smiled, a bit hopefully it appeared.