Laura Pausini vs. Rachele Brooke Smith
(Words: Front Street / Results: Lookout!)

BEFORE:

Pair of brunette lightweights who haven't exactly had a ton of success in the FCBA. Pausini's won plenty in the BBU, including the Italian Lightweight Title, but she's 0-6 in the FCBA, while Smith has lost three times in three FCBA fights. But, it's not like either of the two ladies has been losing to tomato cans, and both clearly believe their respective losing streaks end tonight. "I'm too strong for her," says a hard-eyed Laura. "Once I start getting leather on target, she will break down and my hand will be raised."

"She thinks she's going to break ME down," says Rachele with a shake of the head. "We'll see who breaks down and who gets the win tonight."

ROUND ONE:

Contrast in styles immediately apparent. Smith, with her dancing experience, wants to stick and move. Laura, the slugger, wants to close and bang. And, while Rachele is able to get some space early, and build up some points on the move, eventually, the Italian gets the ring cut and begins thumping some leather onto the younger fighter. Pausini mostly goes body when she can close, only working upstairs enough to keep Smith honest. It's clear the Italian's plan is to wear down the American and get into her legs, and, while Rachele holds her own fairly well with her fellow brunette, even when she's brought to battle, there's little doubt that too much of this is going to lead to exactly what Pausini wants. By the final seconds, Laura's right in Rachele's grill, getting off lusty, and, at the bell, it's Pausini who's claimed the points and the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Smith back on the move to start the second. Laura working forward, trying to cut and close. Rachele slowing her with the jab, then following on with hard right hands before circling away. Jab becoming a key for the younger woman now, she's using it to maintain the distance she wants, to set up combinations, to begin to take control of the fight away from the Italian. Laura's still working hard, trying her best to close and bang, but it's not happening now. Smith's left hand and her quick, athletic feet are frustrating Pausini completely, and, as the round goes on, Rachele's right hand is having an effect, too. She's picking up the Italian, stopping her cold, forcing her to cover up. By the final seconds, Smith is actually backing Pausini up with heavy leather. At the bell, the Italian's got blood trickling from her nose and the American's got the points wide, evening the fight at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Laura turning up the heat, trying to get to her spots and get some heavy leather home. Not happening. Instead, Smith continues to dominate. She's lasering in with the left hand, then following with hard, accurate combinations, forcing Pausini to the defensive and then dancing away from her before she can counter. Italian keeps coming, keeps trying to get something going, but continues to be frustrated. BOOM! Big right hand from Rachele and Laura's HURT! Pausini stumbling backward, hit with a barrage of leather from Rachele and DOWN GOES PAUSINI! Italian dropped, gobsmacked, to her back as the American leaps into the air with her hands raised and bounces back to a neutral corner. Laura looks, glassy eyed, up at the referee as the count begins. She's able to roll to her right side and push up to her hands and her right haunch...but, she can't beat the count! It's OVER! And your winner by KO3 is Rachele Brooke Smith!

AFTER:

Smith absolutely giddy in victory. It's been nineteen months since her first FCBA fight and she's finally in the win column. "That was GREAT!" she says, tummy still pumping wildly. "I KNEW I could get her. It was just a matter of finding her with my left hand. After I did that, I was too slick, too quick, too athletic, and too STRONG for her. And, this is just the beginning. Rachele Brooke Smith is HERE, and she's not going ANYWHERE!"