Post by Lookout! Boxing on Nov 25, 2016 at 4:23pm

Bella Thorne vs Blake Lively @ catchweight (result:Lookout/words:simgrrl)

Bella Thorne, 19yo, 5'8”, 123# vs Blake Lively, 29yo, 5'10”, 130#
(#72 Bantam) 4-0-0 vs (#1 (per Oct Tractorpull); #3 JMDD) 21-22-0

Before: Last winter the Thorne's contacted Ginny's Academy and invited Charlize Theron to visit their training facility and 'go a few rounds' with them. Charlize begged off, citing a 'schedule conflict', and suggested Blake Lively would be a better choice. Arrangements were made and Blake spend a three day weekend with the Bella sisters and brother/manager, Remy. She returned full of praise for all the girls and particularly Bella who she called “a rising young talent.” So it's not too surprising Bella's first foray at lightweight, she looked to Blake.

Thorne brother Remy (a newly licensed referee) a surprising choice by the FCBA to wear the striped shirt in the ring! A Calif Celeb Boxing Commission spokeswoman claimed, “It's luck of the draw. His name came up on the computer and neither camp objected!”

Lively dismissing questions of a potential 'conflict' with her opponent's brother the 'third man in the ring.' “If it comes down to him, I'm not doing my job very well! Seriously, I know both of these kids and they're not going to cheat; so it's fine with me. Ginny and Jeri aren't happy, but I'm the one in the ring and I made the final decision.”

Both women in bikinis; Blake's green, Thorne's white; gloves/shoes match the outfit. Rihanna & Gemma Atkinson in Bella's corner with sister Kaili; Jeri Ryan and Jen Lawrence working Blake's with Liz Olsen.

Unlike the fighters - who both seem fine with it - corners sniping at each other even before the bell. Most blame Ginny's Academy for the rancor - they seem to be the ones initiating much of the vitriol... and with a 2-0 lead in this 'unofficial' mini-stable war, who can really blame them!

During R1: Bella starts out looking slightly awed by the bright lights and famous “big name” opponent in her premiere FCBA PPV semi-main event. It's a feeling out period for both, but Bella's history - like that of all the Thorne's - is of being a fast starter. And once she has had a minute to settle in, she's on the offensive, driving Lively back on her heels in the second minute of the fight. But Lively's been there before, and doesn't appear to be unduly pressed. Staying cool, she starts to turn the momentum late in the round and at the bell, it's hard to separate them...an opinion shared by the scoring which has the round even (a draw).

R2: Early right hand by Lively and suddenly Bella's stepping in post holes in the first minute of the round! Lively gets down to work, hammering Thorne's firm, tight, young abs! Lively not known as a body puncher, but she's good all-round and facing an inexperienced fighter like Bella, taking it to her torso is always a sound proposition, especially in the early going when the opponent is fresh and full of energy. Midway thru the round, Thorne starting to get her legs under her, Blake lands a sneak hook and again Thorne's hurt! Lively bodies up on her along the ropes and continues to work over that nubile young body. Thorne stubborn, hanging in and fighting back in (short) spurts but Lively is controlling the action. Only a late rally by Thorne in the final 20-30 seconds provides solace as Blake wins on points (wide).

R3: Throwing caution to the wind, Bella charges out and gets on top of Lively early. In every clinch, Bella talks to Blake, whispering in her ear, trying to get in her head. After her first minute of all-out aggression, Bella never looks back! She gets the better of Lively in every exchange; working low to her belly, then coming up over the top with a right hand as Blake's left - inexplicably - stays low time and time again! Bella's right hand rattles the big blonde veteran twice; buckling her knees in the second minute, then in the final thirty seconds she lands it clean again, nearly dropping Lively. Bella Thorne romping (pretty much bell to bell) as Bella leaves Blake reeling in her wake! (Thorne wide!)

Between: Rounds even after three (1-1-1), points are also close as the rounds split wide-wide-draw. Both corners berating their fighter, Rihanna and Gemma talking tactics, Ryan preaching Blake to use her right more.

R4: Ebb and flow continues and this round goes Lively's way although she struggles trying to tamp down Thorne's youthful rebellion. Early, Lively sticking the jab, chopping down the middle with the right, then turning into the left hook to the body. Good work putting together combinations slowly gets her out front for the round. But late Thorne - again talking to Blake in the clinches seemingly unnerves the veteran! Blake misses badly with a left, leaving herself open for a rock 'em, sock 'em right over the top by Bella at the bell that buckles Lively's long, lovely, legs and sits her butt on the ropes just as the bell rings. That single final punch may have helped Thorne, because the round came back a one point difference.... for Lively (close).

R5: Back and forth action continues! Lively out looking to do harm, but their opening exchange sees Bella slip a Lively right and clinch. As they wrestle on the ropes, Bella once more talking in Lively's ear until the ref breaks 'em. LIVELY'S HURT! Blake inexplicably leaves herself wide open on the break and Bella pounds a hard right to the chest that puts a grimace on Lively's face! Bella working in close; harming the 29 y/o blonde's supple body; ladling on hurt in the first minute of the round!
Blake trying to clinch, wrapping her arms around Thorne, leaving her body exposed. Bella with the rough house; slapping down Lively's arms to break the clinch... BLAKE'S ROCKED AGAIN! Bella whistles a short right upside her head and Lively, woozily wraps her arms around Bella's waist, her head under Thorne's right armpit! Referee trying to break them, but neither seems willing to go along; Bella working over Blake's ribs and lats, putting her weight on Lively. Blake just holding on, slapping at the flanks more for show than effect. Thorne (Bella) finally breaks it with an elbow to the back of Lively's head that nearly drives her to her knees!
Most of the third minute is all Thorne as she pretty much takes Blake Lively to the woodshed! Lively battered backward from foot to foot as Bella just keeps pumping out leather, never giving her an opening to gather herself and make a stand. Lively never gets going and her body pays the price as it's pounded bell to bell by Bella this round as she shuts out Lively!

R6:  Back and forth the action flows! First one, then the other, surge like an incoming tide, then recedes as the other wrests away the initiative away and takes the fight to her. Both fighters hurt, Blake early by another right hand when, after a clinch, she leaves her head exposed; Thorne midway when Bella's right comes up a bit short and Lively's counter right catches her square. Both forced to clinch, both with their good moments, and bad. But the big thing most at ringside comment on is how Thorne always seems to be talking to Blake whenever they're at close quarters, but especially in clinches.
At the bell, Thorne grabs Lively's arm, spins her around, goes nose to nose with her; telling her she's going down, she's washed up, and a few other things not picked up by the ring microphone as everyone in the ring is busy screaming at somebody else! In the end, the decision goes Lively's way...narrowly but definitely.... (close!)

Between: Score (rounds or points) more/less even after 6; two close Lively vs one wide Bella!

R7: Blake ahead, getting cautious! Circling behind the jab, right cocked, Lively moves and sticks; holding her right 'in reserve' (i.e., not using it except in rare single shots that don't register on Bella). Thorne far more active, working Blake's body up and down, targeting her belly (sometimes a bit lower). No complaint from Lively, but Ryan and Lawrence barking at referee Remy who, in all fairness, tells Bella several times “keep 'em up, sis.”
Thorne, surprisingly, the one initiating clinches; using them to talk to Lively - who seems to ignore her - But then Thorne lands another right over Lively's dropped left...again! Blake obviously bothered by the talking, not saying/doing anything to make it stop!
Late. After yet another clinch, Bella turns into a crisp left hook-right cross combo to unhinge Lively's knees and sit her down center ring. Crowd on their feet OOHing & AAHing. Thorne raises her hands and jogs away as Lively sits looking shocked for several seconds, then struggles to her feet, wandering dazed to referee Remy who corrals her to check her out. Question. Blake knows her phone number, at least Remy thinks she does.
He lets it go... after making a note in a little black book he pulls from his shirt pocket! The knockdown cements the round for Bella Thorne who takes a narrow lead based on aggressiveness... and Lively's timidity. Bella wins the round (wide)!

Between: It's 3-3-1 after seven; Thorne moves ahead in points... which only matter if the rounds come out even! It's a razor thin margin, so it's anybody's fight, one where a single punch can make a huge difference!

R8: Bella still fighting aggressively, lands the first right hand of the round; one that nearly decapitates Lively! Blake's legs unhinge and she stumbles back to the ropes, arms flailing wildly backward to catch herself! Right hand catches the top rope, left arm dangles over it outside, clawing weakly, helplessly, at the air. Bella, cruel sneer on her lips, jams her left glove on Lively's chest, then pounds three... four... and then FIVE... rights into her vulnerable belly.
Pro-Lively fans screaming for referee Remy Thorne to stop it; pleas ignored! Bella bludgeons Blake's body at the ropes until her right hand slips off the top rope, her butt slides off the middle rope, she drops with a wet SPLAT[/i] to the canvas. Blake Lively is “TITS UP” at Bella's feet!
Thorne spits her mouthguard on Lively's limp body, then bellows as she steps up, and stands ON, Blake's chest to get her arm raised by referee/brother Remy as Bella Thorne wins an upset KO8!

After: Was this merely a one-off? An unexpected upset? Merely a blip on the radar? Second straight loss after a long run of successes by Lively; probably just a natural let-down after losing her title last time out. But does it herald the dawn of a new era? A lightweight Bella Thorne era?
Bella's a “cusp fighter” someone who can make bantam weight, but is probably going to be more comfortable and hit harder as a lightweight. Given her age (19) she's got time, and room, to grow into a bigger body - and very well may HAVE to move to lightweight soon - because she can easily add muscle/bulk if she wants.
Thorne's 'take no prisoners' approach seems to show she could be a terror (at whatever weight) but we've all seen young fighters hit the ground running, make a big splash... and then disappear! So we'll have to wait on young Bella Thorne to find out where she goes from here, but off this fight tonight, it would appear that Bella's future... like that of her sisters who faced quality competition and didn't look out of their depth... appears to be very bright indeed!

Lively clearly; obviously; disappointed by the result, but takes pains to point out the referee wasn't to blame, despite several “errors” handling the fight... which (frankly) weren't far different than ones made by more experienced officials all the time!

“Bella had a great fight tonight,” Blake begrudged. “It was like she could read my mind at times and knew what I was going to do.... even before I did. Not much I could have done, honestly. She was the better fighter tonight and I salute her for the win. Hopefully, when we meet again down the road, and I'm pretty sure we will... I'll give her a better fight, well, a harder one anyway,” she grimaced as she tried to smile.

Thorne bubbling over with excitement, as you'd expect... given the upset! “I just beat the light freakin' weight champion.... well, the former champion. I can't believe it! It was great that Blake took time to come up to where we trained last winter and spent time with the three of us. I'm sure that time in the ring with her was a big advantage tonight. She was so patient explaining tactics to us and I put a lot of that to use in the ring against her.

“I've really changed a lot... progressed... since then, in large part that was thanks to her advice, so I was probably nothing like what she expected tonight. I may have taken her by surprise with some stuff I picked up in my first four fights. It's a steep learning curve and all three of us are struggling with it right now,” she offered as a kind of, sorta, alibi for why her sisters both lost tonight. (And she's not wrong!)

Both were asked what's next for them and Lively said she's had “several calls” about another JMDD bout, but hadn't made up her mind, wanting to wait until after tonight to decide. “I had a nice run at lightweight; but that's over. I'm going to have to start another run of wins, either at light or JMDD, or maybe I'll play around at welter for a while. I have options and I'll consider them all before making a decision.”

Bella Thorne rolled her eyes and joked, “I dunno, who's the lightweight champ these days? No, seriously, I knew in the first five rounds tonight I've got a long ways to go before I even think... or joke... about titles! For now, I'll concentrate on bantam, but at my size, and age - hey, I'm still growing - I think lightweight is in my future one of these days. So I'll talk to my trainers and see if we can make fights that build toward that eventually, while keeping me active at bantam. For now, like Blake said, I've got options too. I'd like to keep mine open as long as I can.”

When someone asked Blake what Bella said to her in the clinches and breaks, she seemed confused. “I don't remember her saying anything,” Lively said, brow furrowing. “Maybe I missed it... or it didn't seem important... probably nothing.”

Bella shrugged off the question, “I talk a lot, but it was probably 'nice shot' or 'I'll get you next time', stuff like that. I wouldn't worry about it unless someone complains,” she said, quickly looking for the next question and hoping everyone would forget about it.