Missy Peregrym vs. Laura Pausini

(Lookout! Boxing vs Latin Union)

Results: Lookout!; Words: Front Street

BEFORE:

Peregrym, after an up and down 2017 and a disastrous 2018 spent last year proving she still could at the age of 37, running up a 7-1 record and claiming scalps like Palicki, Cuoco, and Law. And, if there's any doubt that the Canadian beauty is aiming for a fifth run with the gold (and a third with the Tiffany straps), well. "Yes, Laura's a stay-busy for me, because I have much bigger goals in mind. But. That doesn't mean you take her lightly. She's very physical and can hit. You've got to bring your "A" game. And, that's just what I'm going to do."

"No one gives me a chance," says Pausini with a smile. "No FCBA wins and all that. But. I was Italian Lightweight Champion. I can fight. And, I'm going to prove it tonight."

ROUND ONE:

Peregrym TALKED a good game about respecting Laura and her power, but, in the first, she doesn't SHOW any respect. Instead, Canadian steps right TO the Italian and it's ON with the ladies trading bombs in the middle of the ring and BOOM! Right hook, LAURA and Missy is HURT! Peregrym wobbles mid-ring and covers up and the crowd goes NUTS as the underdog Italian lets the hands go! Peregrym driven back into the ropes by a barrage of leather and then HAMMERED as Laura, with nothing to lose, simply wings away with both hands. Missy in a high guard taking, jabbing back here and there. Ref looking in closely as Laura piles up the punishment and the points. Final seconds sees another excellent left hook from Pausini shake Missy, but, the Canadian hangs on to the bell. It's Laura wide in the first, though, and she's up 10-9.


ROUND TWO:

Pausini putting on the pressure, controlling things early, continuing to back up her rival with hard shot. Missy trying to stabilize the front, manages to do it about a minute in, and we're back to banging in the middle of the ring. Peregrym's corner wants her to move, but the Canadian doesn't appear to have the legs to do it just yet. Instead, ladies are toe-to-toe, hammering away with hard shot, and both brunettes are shipping it very well. Pausini starts working some body in the final minute, and Missy responds in kind. Peregrym having the better of things now, and she's making up Laura's early stagger. Final thirty see the Canadian taking control for the first time in the fight, forcing Laura over to the defensive, making her cover up and even backing her up a step. Late rally is enough to give Peregrym the points close and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Peregrym moving now and it makes all the difference. Missy bouncin' and misbehavin', showing all that athleticism we've seen over the years. Laura trying to cut and close, but the Italian having just about zero luck doing it. Instead, Peregrym maintains range, snapping jabs, putting together nice, hard combinations, then circling away before Laura can respond. Pausini occasionally able to land something, but it's almost all one-punch stuff. Laura remains game, keeps working the feet, keeps trying to bring Missy to battle. Manages it once late in the round and a spirited exchange develops, but, then, Peregrym is back on her bicycle to move and box out the round. When the bell rings, there's no question about who's gained the points. The Canadian has it wide and is up 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Missy moving, controlling things with her feet and athleticism. She's circling, bouncing, stopping to pop and BOOM! There's that right hook from Laura! Pausini catches the Canadian and MISSY IS STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! For the second time in the fight, Laura is all in, tossing everything she has at the reeling younger woman. Missy hammered back against the cables, where she forms a tight ear muff and tries to ride this thing out. Laura letting the hands go in a big way, sitting down on every punch, looking to finish this thing right now and "shock the world". Missy rolling with, blocking, countering here and there. Ref watching, on a hair trigger yet again, but Laura can't find the finisher. When the bell rings, Missy is still standing. But, Laura's taken it wide and we're even again at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Pausini determined to finish. She's pouring forward and pouring fire on Peregrym. Missy giving ground, playing defense, countering here and there while the Italian makes with the heavy artillery. Canadian doing well to stay off the ropes as Laura comes forward, forward, forward...BOOM! Right-hand counter, Peregrym and PAUSINI IS HURT! Laura's legs give a shimmy and Missy immediately goes over to the offensive. She's letting the hands go in a big way, sending the Italian backward and then DROPPING HER with a left hook! Laura spilled to her back, staring blankly up at the referee as Peregrym makes her way to a neutral corner. Italian sits up, shaking her head, at seven, but she can get no farther. Laura still seated on the canvas as the count passes her by. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Missy Peregrym.

AFTER:

Missy all business in the post. "This is what I've been saying about her. She can hit, so she's dangerous. But, I knew I needed to take care of business tonight, and I did. Because, I have big things on the horizon. Like getting MY lightweight belts back."