Lucy Hale versus Anna Kendrick
(Words: DBC / Results: Lookout!)

Before: “Ring Rust? No… I wouldn’t say that.” Anna dismisses the reporter’s question with a cute little smirk. “Just because I haven’t had a fight in a few month doesn’t mean I’ve been away from the fight game.” She points a thumb at Brie Larson. “This blonde firecracker wasn’t going to train herself, you know? Lots of gym time, lots of road work… You know how they say the best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else? You’ll see me be fundamentally sound in the ring, getting back to basics and pounding out a win!” Anna asked to talk about her opponent. “Lucy Hale? She’s tough. She’s gorgeous. And her Pretty Little Punchers crew seems to keep showing up at the top of the rankings. Those results speak for themselves. Thank goodness I finally have a teammate to have my back against that squad!”

Lucy Hale proud and resolute in response. “If this fight is going to come down to teams, I think I’d rather have the PLP crew!” She motions to Troian, Ashley, and Shay. “We’ve been to the top because we work as a team. It’s only one girl in the ring with the gloves on, but the whole crew is there to support. That’s why we’re so tough to beat. And a bond like that… it takes time. We’ve been together for years, winning titles and consoling each other after losses. A real team isn’t something you can build with the stroke of a pen.”

Anna in her traditional royal blue two piece with the Diamond Logo emblazoned on the left hip. Lucy opts for a more provocative green bikini. Business like staredown at mid-ring. Both girls know how this works. It’s go time.

Round 1: A polite touch of gloves before the punches fly. Anna bouncing easily, flirting with range as her battle braid flicks to and fro. Lucy quick and nimble as she deflects, slips, and parries Kendrick’s opening attack. Both girls looking strong as the jabs flow freely. Kendrick landing to Lucy right cheek again and again. Hale has her sights set on that delicious tummy. Sharp jabs followed by digging shots to flanks. Anna tucking her elbows in tight, trying her best to weather the pressure. Lucy so focused on her body busting that she doesn’t see Kendrick’s countermeasures! It’s a big left hook from Anna that EXPLODES on to Lucy Hale’s chin, torquing her head and temporarily scrambling her senses! Hale desperately stumbles away, as she needs buy time to regroup. Kendrick tries to press her advantage, but can’t catch the slippery Hale. Lucy proves elusive until the bell. One big punch probably enough to steal the points, but Anna will be disappointed she couldn’t deposit more hurt on the PLP fighter.

Round 2: Lucy gets a pep talk in her corner from Troain, Ashley, and Shay. “There’s no way you’re letting this girl think she has a chance! Take it to her!” Hale out for revenge as she starts the second, winging away with big shots to punctuate each combination. Anna ducking and hiding as she fights power with precision. As Kendrick thrusts a jab into Lucy’s body, Hale’s pure power SLAMS through! Her left uppercut rockets towards Anna’s chin and rings her bell hard! Kendrick stumbling backwards on shaky stems, eyelids droopy and guard weak as she sways, desperate to keep her balance. Anna totters backwards into the ropes, pouty and bracing for the onslaught. Hale licking her chops as she wades in with constant pressure up the middle. Smart move here, smothering Kendrick, not giving her a moment to recover. Anna rolling and ducking in the pocket, firing back where she can. She manages to dig some compact bodywork deep into Lucy, drawing satisfying grunts from the PLP fighter. But this round belongs to Hale, her gloves constantly in motion as she batters away on Anna Kendrick. Tough pocket work from Hale has Kendrick hurting as the bell rings. Lucy takes the opportunity to chest up on her girl, staring down at a panting Kendrick. Brie Larson forced to dive in the ring to rescue her girl and escort her home to safety.

Round 3: Tough talk in the Diamond corner. “You can’t let her get on top of you like that.” Brie slowly works on Anna, reviving her after a tough beating. Though she’s new to the fight game, Brie seems to get Anna back into fighting shape and off her stool for round three. Anna and Lucy resume boxing, probing for an opening like two battleships circling each other at mid-ring. And simultaneously, they unload their broadsides! Heavy, damaging shots flying both ways! Landing clean to cheek, shaking feisty ponytails as the sweat flies! Powerful blows slam home to tummy, flanks and chest, shuddering receipts as the hurt builds up to the body! With all the punches flying back and forth, something has to give! Anna Kendrick loads up on a sneaky lead left that she tucks between Lucy’s elbows, detonating her punch right in Hale’s toned tummy! The impact freezes Lucy as her legs lock as she tries to process the hurt! She stumbles backwards, breathing ragged as she tries desperately to right the ship. Anna storming forwards as she blasts Hale’s defence with buzzing shots aimed at chin and beefy punches to work the body. Lucy cramping up as she takes her beating, unable to find the momentary respite she needs to fire back. She wraps her arms tight around the rampaging Kendrick, and hangs on for dear life!! Anna clenching her teeth as she struggles to work her arms free. Breath hot on each other’s necks as they jostle for position, the ref letting them sort it out. “You’re really going to make me earn it tonight.” Anna whispers “I can’t wait…” Lucy responds with “It’s early in the fight.... My gloves will be all over you next round!”

Round 4: PLP giving expert care to their charge during the break. Lucy slowly coming around as they work on every inch of her. It’s tough advice to hear, but Hale advised to keep swinging. Nothing tactically wrong in the previous round, Kendrick just landed the decisive punch. Lucy only nods as she mentally prepares for battle. No fear in the PLP fighter as she closes to start the fourth round. Quick jabs to find her range, and she’s mixing in the heavier stuff where she can. Kendrick leaving that left hand out, pawing with her jab to keep Lucy off. Anna using her legs to buy space and time, forcing Lucy to chase her down. But Hale has that extra spring in her step. She’s advancing and constantly knocking on the door of Kendrick’s fortifications. Hale’s big swings finally pay off, with a left jab that forces Anna to duck… which puts her right in the path of a FEROCIOUS right from Lucy Hale! Kendrick SO hurt as she’s slammed up straight! She quickly switches over to survival mode, knowing that a good offense is her best shot at keeping Lucy at bay. The two girls start to trade with Hale quickly taking the advantage. She’s off first, and landing in bunches on the rapidly weakening Kendrick. Not enough space between the girls for anything major, but Lucy decidedly wins the skirmish. Anna manages to sneak some short uppercuts into Lucy’s bra, but it’s a small consolation after a one-sided battle.

Round 5: Kendrick shaking her head in the corner. She knows she can’t let Lucy have another round like that. Brie gets her to breathe deep and focus. First girl to land big grabs control of the round, and it has to be Anna! It’s a nod and a smile from Kendrick as she promises to keep it in mind. Anna starts by darting and flicking around the ring, analyzing the angles, searching for the key opening. But Lucy Hale presents quite a problem to solve. Equal in speed, skill and strategy, she is able to mirror Kendrick as she too wants to avoid any big punches to start the round. It’s tactical combat from both girls, with jabs nipping and biting at any exposed skin. Anna’s eyes daring Lucy to attack. Hale not taking the bait. She’s going to attack on her terms. Bit of a stalemate from the two fighters and it’s making the crowd restless. It carries on like this until Lucy comes in with a flurry of jabs and hooks! Kendrick momentarily overwhelmed as she can’t block them all. A hard shot lands flush on her her cheek but Anna remains resolute, and she fires back with a straight right that pops Lucy right in the mouth! Hale retaliates by twisting her hips into a long left hook that reaches all the way around Anna’s elbows and smacks her in the flanks! Which prompts Kendrick to come back with uppercuts straight up the middle, scrubbing up hard to Hale’s chest and tummy! The girls are in tight with foreheads pressed together as they continue to press the workrate. There aren’t any late punches after the bell, but the girls remain close as they stare each other down, chest to chest. Both corners have to come and retrieve their revved up flyweight.

Round 6: Lucy’s chest heaving as she gingerly sits down, determination plastered across her face. Anna with the same kind of scowl as her break period expression. At the bell, they jump off the stools and straight back to punching. No tentative jabs this time. Just heavy, solid punching with bad intentions. They each get in their licks. Leather skipping off flawless cheekbones or slamming home to proud rack and lithe torsos. When fights are this even, it’s the smallest things that can make the difference. It’s a simple, poorly placed step. Lucy hops left and plants a little too much weight on that side. It brings her off balance for a split second. But in that smallest of windows, Anna’s punch is already in motion. And Lucy’s momentum brings her right into the path of the hurricane! Kendrick’s bomb EXPLODES on Lucy’s chin! Hitting the off switch as Lucy COLLAPSES down to the canvas with a face plant! The crowd momentarily shocked at the ferocity of the punch, before bursting into applause at the big knockdown! Lucy ALL kinds of hurt as she struggles on the mat, trying to get her knees under her and push up off the deck. She’s a woozy beauty as she bravely reaches hands and knees! But as the count climbs higher, she lowers her forehead to her gloves, clearly still reeling from that devastating shot. And it’s 8...9...10! Small sobs escape from Lucy Hale as the fatal number is called out. She knows she was in control, but the fight was snatched away from her in a flash. And it’s officially a KO6 for ANNA KENDRICK!!

After: Anna Kendrick smiling through the hurt as she looks like she’s been in a fierce battle. Brie Larson gingerly works on the cuts, aches and bruises. Anna glowing from her knockout victory as she occasionally raises her gloves to the crowd to draw a healthy cheer. Anna and Brie work on Kendrick’s face to get her camera ready. They whisper to each other as they work, each drawing smiles and giggles from the other. Larson points over to the PLP corner and Anna nods in agreement.

Lucy still trembling on the ground as the PLP crew moves in to help her. Troian and Shay each take and arm while Ashley takes Lucy’s face in her hands and gently consoles her. They manage to guide her to the stool as all three girls work on their fallen fighter. Each girl knows how fights like this can hinge on one punch, and they know the feeling of being on the wrong end of that punch.

Anna pushes her way through the crowd to find Lucy. The PLP boxer’s eyes are puffy and red as she sits dejected on her stool. Anna works her gloves underneath and helps Lucy up to standing, bringing her in for a warrior’s embrace. Both girls grimace as their chests and bodies are still feeling the effects of the fight. Anna raises Lucy’s hand and presents the PLP fighter to the adoring fans. The crowd knows they got a great show and the fans roar in response for both girls.
“She’s so tough!” Anna beams in her post-fight interview “She has got to be one of the toughest boxers in the flyweight division! And with that crew behind her…” Anna acknowledges Troian, Shay, and Ashley “... I just think PLP is going to be near the top of the rankings for a long time! What a strong team!”
“Speaking of team…” A wide grin breaks out on Anna’s face as she wraps her arm around Brie Larson’s waist “Let me talk about this field medic right here! This was a very tough fight, and there were some times when I needed someone great in my corner to pick me up and keep me going. Brie Larson is the best teammate I could ever ask for, and I can’t wait to return the favor when she steps in the ring!”