Cassie Scerbo versus Anna Kendrick (Flyweight Championship)
(Words: Benny / Results: Lookout!)

Before: The Las Vegas strip swarming with fans in the days leading up to the fight. Promotion surrounding the fight reminiscent of the glory days of boxing in Las Vegas. Fight photos of Cassie Scerbo and Anna Kendrick adorn the casinos and several Vegas shows are canceled on fight night, as not even the dancers and magicians want to miss the fight. Both fighters appear relaxed and ready, soaking up the attention around town as they bask in the spotlight of fight week.

The weigh-in and press conference goes off without a hitch. Anna and Cassie showing off their toned physiques in coordinated neon bikinis. Girls refusing the robes as they sit to address the media poolside.

“Why Anna Kendrick?” Cassie smirks when a reporter brings up her opponent. “You saw what this town was like this week. Like it or not, she’s a draw. Besides...why not fight Anna Kendrick? I’m the champion. That means I can beat any girl in that ring. We’ve already heard from scores of other girls who want a shot at this belt. But I’ve never had the pleasure of taking down someone so… chipper. Ms. Kendrick wants to take her shot, she is certainly welcome to try. And when I put her down, that’s one more girl who I have convinced of my supremacy.”

“Cassie has had quite a year.” Kendrick responds when asked about the champ. “She’s taken out hall-of-famers and former champs. The best and brightest the flyweight division has to offer. It’s a bit of an honor that after a run like that, she chose to fight me!” Anna pauses for a moment of introspection. “It’s such a great run she’s been on, and it doesn’t look like fighting that caliber of talent has slowed her down at all. But every girl who has ever been a champion had to win it for the first time. And every girl has to beat a champion to win the belt. So while I have the utmost respect for Cassie Scerbo in the ring, and I know she’s a great champion… I also know that I can beat her. And I’m going to prove it to everyone when the bell rings.”

Anna Kendrick elects to enter the arena from the farthest entrance, giving her plenty of time to interact with fans and well-wishers on her way to the ring. She shakes off her robe to reveal her classic blue two-piece with the Diamond logo. Cassie Scerbo follows with her championship belt firmly secured around her waist, bouncing easily from foot to foot as she comes down the aisle. She shimmies out of her robe to reveal her traditional black bikini and black calf length boots. Girls touch gloves a center ring without incident. Tense moments waiting for the bell to start the brawl.

Round 1: Anna bangs her gloves together as she closes to center ring. Scerbo using those lithe legs to skirt the outside. Quick, surgical strikes from the champ at the opening. Cassie diving in with lightning strikes and then escapes at angles. Scerbo rolling as she lands that jab on Kendrick’s cheek. Anna trying to get going, but she can’t find her rhythm and finds herself stymied by Scerbo’s staccato attack. It’s a master class in stick and move from Scerbo. She’s tucking her jab to tummy and then skittering by, or landing stinging shots to head before vanishing. Anna still rough and ready, feisty ponytail bouncing as she tries to locate the champ. Cassie continues the hit and run tactics, smirking and smiling as she’s touching Kendrick up for points. Anna keeping pace even if she’s not landing as clean. Scerbo in again, darting a left to Kendrick’s body… and Anna TURNS into a left hook! Planting a shot on Scerbo’s cheek and walloping Cassie out of orbit! It’s only a momentary lapse for the champ, but Kendrick emboldened that there is a hole is Scerbo’s armor. Cassie all smiles as she plays to the crowd after the bell.

Round 2: Both corners satisfied with the work in the opening round. Anna returns to chasing the swift, shifty Cassie. It’s a tight guard from Kendrick. She knows she won’t get off first in any firefight, so she has to get off better. Cassie skipping in again and she’s met with STIFF resistance! Anna takes to cheek in exchange for landing a few BOOMING shots off Cassie’s chin and chest! Scerbo shocked as she’s unable to escape, forced to trade with a hard-hearted Kendrick! Now it’s Anna, tucking in hard to tummy. Making deposits of hurt in that luscious Scerbo body. Cassie riding and rolling the best she can, picking her spots to fire back. But Anna’s gloves continue to power on to Scerbo’s skin. Kendrick lands a flurry that ends with a hard left hook to body, twisting Cassie’s face in pain as she receives the blow. Anna starts walking her girl back as the in-fighting continues with heads on shoulders. It’s rolling, thudding body work from Kendrick. Cassie desperate to get back in rhythm and force Anna to chase her, but Kendrick too strong early. Scerbo gets some licks of her own in, lashing punches off Kendrick’s flanks. As the round closes, Cassie swings for the fences, a big uppercut that comes up just short as Anna is able to shift her head at the last minute. Kendrick slams home one last solid punch to Cassie’s tummy. Scerbo takes a moment on the ropes to collect herself before returning to her corner. Anna a little shaken as she knows how close Cassie was to landing that home run.

Round 3: The champ returning to that familiar Scerbo jitterbug. Dancing in to touch up her girl then flittering away before the counters. Kendrick doing her best to keep up but she’s at a disadvantage as Cassie sets the tone. Anna not shying away from the challenge, absorbing the punches she has to in order to take her swings. But Scerbo is too practiced at the this style of boxing. Too clean. Too smart. Stinging jabs and lightning hooks get off in ones and twos. Cassie content to win every exchange even if she doesn’t throw the heavy stuff. There’s almost a smirk playing out on her lips as she’s practically playing with the challenger as she continues to dictate range and tempo. Kendrick wading through the jabs to land her own blows. Near the end of the round, while Cassie is still dancing her jitterbugs, Anna is now landing the harder punches. Kendrick is focusing downstairs, knowing she has to invest in damaging Scerbo’s body to have any chance of slowing down her shapely legs. Cassie shows fierce belief in her boxing style, continuing to pick and prod at Kendrick from outside, and punctuating the round with a beautiful combination that leaves Anna momentarily stunned as the round comes to a close.

Round 4: It’s not only who can force their own style on the opponent, but who can survive fighting their opponent’s style. Cassie using her timing, feints, and unique rhythm to keep Anna off balance. Kendrick guessing and missing with several hard shots as Cassie ducks and slips, slithering her gloves to lash and whip and Kendrick’s body. Anna taking much more than she’s giving this round, but she’s undeterred, still putting power behind each punch even when it misses the mark. Halfway point now, Cassie in again… and Anna KISSES a hook clean on Scerbo’s cheek! Wobble from the champ as she shaken… stumbles… and FALLS! Cassie spills to the canvas face down as that shot as left her scrambled!  Squeals of joy escape Kendrick as the champ is down! Scerbo shakes her head clear as she uses the eight count to recover. Cassie is up and banging her gloves together as she can’t wait to make Anna pay! The champ making a bee line for Kendrick, looking to even the score… but Anna holds FIRM! Beautiful technique from Kendrick to land clean to ribs and chest with enough power to keep the raging Scerbo at bay. Cassie hurting and fuming as the round comes to a close. Staring daggers at Kendrick all the way back to her corner.

Round 5: The mask of fury still sits on Cassie’s face, but she’s returned to the disciplined, rangy attack that made her champion in the first place. She’s touching up the challenger again, her gloves nipping at Anna’s cheeks and tummy. The damage starting to show on Anna’s adorable face, but she’s still taking hard swings at her slick opponent. Cassie feints a jab, hoping to get Anna to commit to a punch. She takes the bait, and as Kendrick goes for a big right hook…  Scerbo ducks underneath and comes up SWINGING! BIG shots from the champ as she digs those uppercuts into Kendrick’s chest and tummy. It’s too much for Anna, and her legs buckle as she falls to her knees in a heap. Small sobs escape the challenger as she rests her forehead on the canvas. Cassie kisses her glove and raises it to the crowd as the count begins. Kendrick slams the mat in frustration, trying to force her body to process the hurt and get up. Brie pleading with her fighter, begging her to get up. At five, Anna has shifted to hands and knees with her head still bowed. And… she’s up just in time! Ref checks her over, knows there’s not much time left. Cassie waved in with just moments to go. Kendrick covering up, just needing to ride it out. Scerbo lands on final right hand to body, Kendrick cramping in shock at the receipt. Tense moments in the Diamond corner between rounds as Anna looks to be hurting during the rest period.

Round 6: Scerbo out of the gates quick looking to press her advantage. High pressure offense spooks Anna out of her corner and sends her in full reverse. Kendrick’s guard is tight and solid as she skips backwards. Scerbo lithe and nimble as she chases her girl down. Cassie stabbing that jab high to force Kendrick’s defenses there, then spearing punches home to the body. She’s tantalizing close with these lunging jabs, and Anna is just a moment to late with her punches. Kendrick tying herself in knots trying to land a solid clout to her blonde tormentress. But every punch is inches off the mark, Cassie ducking and diving, swooping and slipping as she continues to launch her assault on Kendrick’s defences. It’s methodical, stinging stuff from the champion and she’s piling up points and racking up damage this round. Scerbo content to keep Anna frustrated as she stays outside the whole round. Cassie pockets the points and blows Kendrick a little kiss and a wink as she glides by after the round.

Round 7: Hit and run tactics starting to take some of the steam out of Scerbo’s legs. Each attack begins to have a bit less spring and a bit more lunge, Cassie reaching now to land the damage on her challenger. Kendrick taking grumpy as the frustration boils to the surface. Anna is always a step behind and just missing the mark with her counters. Cassie proving elusive down the stretch. The blonde flitters and skitters in and out of range, toying with Kendrick as she continues to confound the game brunette. Scerbo leaves one jab hanging just a bit too long… and Anna makes her pay! A BOOMING right hand catches Cassie on the cheek! Rocking her out of orbit and sending the champ reeling backwards! Scerbo covers up as she prepares for the storm… and ON COMES KENDRICK! She’s wading in and blasting the champ’s guard, trying to break through with sheer concussive force! Cassie rolling and dodging the best she can and SHE FIRES BACK! Hammering blows flying as the girls have it out along the ropes. Gloves rocketing back and forth, lashing at soft targets and sending shakes and shimmies through each girl’s core! The ref can’t hear the bell above the crowd and both girls take a few late blows before he bravely dives in. Anna wobbly on the way back to her corner. Cassie hangs in the ropes for a long moment before she’s guided home.

Round 8: It’s a slow, lumbering meeting at center ring. All the spring gone from Scerbo’s legs, and Anna is too tired to chase. As she has all night, Cassie expertly gauges the distance, hovering just out of range until she elects to strike. Her jab is just a beat slower… and Kendrick times it perfectly. Counter cross lands right on the button, swiveling Scerbo’s head and sending her spinning to the canvas! Cassie face down as she lies motionless as the count begins. It’s a slow creaky rise for the champ. Scerbo fueled by sheer will and determination. Her body is desperate for her to quit but her heart won’t let her! Pride and fury see her rise off the canvas! The ref hesitant when he looks in her eyes, but he’s not about to tell a Queen she can’t defend her throne. Kendrick waved in as Scerbo retreats on shaky stems. Anna can smell her wounded prey and she closes looking to finish. A high pressure attack probes Cassie’s dwindling defence. Scerbo SO hurt as she leans back into the ropes. She needs a moment of respite but Kendrick won’t give her a moment to breathe! Punches coming thick and fast from Anna Kendrick now, chest heaving and jugs a jumpin’ as she digs shot after shot into the champ! The ref hovering as nothing is coming back from the champ… and Anna lands a THUNDERBOLT! Hard shot to liver followed by a tight, hopeful uppercut. The champ goes limp and COLLAPSES down to the canvas! No need to count, Cassie Scerbo is OUT! The ref waves it off immediately as the bell rings for your winner by KO8… and NEW CHAMPION OF THE FCBA... ANNA KENDRICK!!

After: Tears streaming down Kendrick’s face as she collapses down to the canvas. SO overwhelmed by the weight of what she has just done. Endless hard work and determination paying off in one perfect moment. Brie Larson in quick to celebrate with her charge as Anna is finally able to collect herself. Emotions shift to jubilation as she begins to wave and smile for her adoring fans. Kendrick brought to center ring to have her hand raised… but she loses it again when the championship belt is placed around her waist.

“It’s… It’s just…” Anna trying hard to compose herself through happy tears. “This just means SO much to me!” Crowd cheering her on as she tries to keep going. “Two years ago, I didn’t have a stable, I had one win, I was competing in JMD which…” Lusty cheers from the crowd interrupt her again. “Really?” Anna takes a moment to fold her arms across her chest and look down at the result. “JMD was not the right fit for me. Diamond Boxing Club was the right fit. And now… I’m here… and I have this championship belt...”

Kendrick commandeers the mic as she continues. “I have to thank Cassie Scerbo for giving me a shot. She was a tremendous champion and she is an elite fighter. I know she’ll be challenging for the title again very soon. I also want to take a moment to thank the league. This whole organization is so… incredible. So many people contribute so much. All the managers working with their girls, running the archives, and bringing all these amazing matchups to life. The promotion and the press conferences and the rankings… It all makes the FCBA such a special organization, and I’m so proud to be a part of it. Thank you to everyone who helps make all this happen! I am honored to be your flyweight champion, and I will work hard to make sure that I’m the best champion I can be!”