3. Luisana Lopilato vs Luiza Freyesleben

Luisana:
(31, 5’6, 115, 23:11 FCBA, VIXENS)

Luiza:
(31, 5’8, FCBA Debut, Free Agent)

BEFORE:
Battle of South American beauties as Brasilia’s Luiza Freyesleben takes on Luisa Lopilato from Argentina. Let’s hope the pundits don’t get their names confused tonight, with the only difference between an ‘s’ and ‘z’ in their first names.

Both ladies are well-known actresses and models in their home countries, and Luiza sporting a two-inch height advantage that should see her competing in Lightweight tournaments in the future, should she decide to stick around after tonight. Of course, Lopilato’s hoping to make up for that with her own experience in the ring.

“I’ve watched Luisa’s rise in the FCBA, and have been tempted for the longest time to join in on the fun. And what better way to enter the ring than with a fellow compatriot?” Freyesleben says, her golden locks shimmering around her shoulders at the press table. “Regardless of who wins or loses, I’m gonna give it my all tonight.”

Luisa smiles back, glad to welcome this rookie with open arms - that is, until they both enter the ring and the fists start flying.

“I’m happy to accept the challenge. When Luiza’s team reached out to me, I was honestly surprised - I wondered if she should fight someone else who’s a little greener as well? But she explained how much respect she had for what I’d done so far, so I couldn’t say no.”

Ladies shake hands and a brief hug at the podium, no animosity (yet) between them as they kick off the middle slot for this event. Later, in the ring, Luiza’s wearing a pink and green floral bikini top, white boxing trunks, showing off her toned and tanned body for someone her age. Luisa in classic black satin bra and white briefs, looking stunning as always. Wave of the hand and HERE we go with ten rounds of Bantamweight action!

ROUND 1:
Rookie Luiza makes a statement early as she lands a stiff shot to Luisa’s nose, grinning behind her raised arms as she tries to have lightning strike twice in the same spot with another jab. Luisana, having started the first round perhaps underestimating her opponent, had her guard loose as those first few punches soared in without much warning, and she paid the price for that with the now-stinging sensation lighting up her nostrils. Luiza still smiling as she advances on her, pestering Luisa with all sorts of experimental attacks: a series of quick jabs followed by a wild swing to the arms, which makes Lopilato grunt, then poking at blonde tummy as she goes for the most open and easy target available. Lopilato struggling all the way to the bell, this overzealous newbie taking swing after shot at her like she’s chump-change. By the end of the first three minutes, Lopilato succeeds in mainly keeping herself at range, only firing back at Freyesleben to deter her advance. Some jabs do indeed snag her on the face, but they’re not nearly enough to win her the round.

ROUND 2:
Maybe this Luiza girl really has what it takes to make it in the FCBA, even at her age! She comes at Luisa brimming with confidence once more, firing hooks at the head early in this fight. But Lopilato ain’t falling for the same trick twice, weaving out of the way expertly, a combination of head movements and footwork meaning she can easily dodge the slow swings of the rookie. Luiza not understanding what’s happening, keeps chugging forward and letting her fists soar towards the blonde, till she realises she may be in trouble when Lopilato counter-attacks with a left hand buried stiffly into her side-tummy, and then another swift snap uppercut sails through the arms and ROCKS her teeth in their place! Freyesbelen in TROUBLE, throwing her guard away as she squeezes her eyes shut in pain, one hand clutching at her jawline and the other flailing in front of her. Lopilato senses a flurry of openings and LEAPS in, more hooks rocking the Brazilian’s upper torso left and right before a straight hand cross lands square to the middle of her face, and DOWN FREYESBELEN GOES!! My god - that was quick! Brazilian beauty collapses onto her back and rolls onto her side in pain! The referee’s starting the count but Luiza’s simply shaking her head in denial, tears already brimming at the edges of her eyes! She rasps at the referee from below, ‘No more… Please…’ and the referee has no choice but to signal for the bell! This fight’s over in dramatic fashion!!

Official Decision: Luisana Lopilato defeats Luiza Freyesleben via KO2!

AFTER:
Dashed expectations and lessons learnt the hard way - Luiza’s left groaning on canvas as Lopilato immediately rushes over to check whether she’s okay. Well, maybe some girls really aren’t meant for the rigours of the ring, after all.

Lopilato scores a dominant victory tonight but the pundits will say it’s at the expense of a fresh face. Well, the least she can do is comfort Freyesleben and apologise for hitting her too hard!