6. Kate Beckinsale vs Cindy Crawford (Cougar Bout)

Kate:
(45, 5’7, 50:37:3 FCBA, VIXENs)

Cindy:
(54, 5’9, 31:34:3 FCBA, Free Agent)

BEFORE:
What’s this? A main event with two-studded ladies who have never met before in the ring? Kate Beckinsale and Cindy Crawford give each other amused glances at the press table when a reporter asks them how this fight came to be.

“Obviously, I have immense respect for Cindy. She’s one of the pioneers of the FCBA, not to mention a gazillion-time Middleweight champion. She may be ten years older but she’s still freakin’ kicking Daisy Fuentes’ arse in January of this year. So when I asked if she would like to be a part of this month’s VIX card, she practically leapt at the opportunity.”

Cindy lets out a laugh, seated unnaturally close to her opponent for tonight. The former supermodel may be turning 55 this year, but she looks like she hasn’t aged a day.

“You didn’t tell me I would be fighting you. Also, you forgot the part where I get to see Kaia more regularly. I said I’d stopped by to see her train, and was just blown away by what Kate has built here. Honestly, nothing’s official yet, but IF Kaia were to join the VIX crew, I’d agree in a heartbeat.”

“Is that why you’re really here?” Kate laughs as she turns to Cindy. “To beat the Head Lady to see what the rest of us are capable of?”

But Cindy throws up her hands in mock defense. “I didn’t say anything. But let’s just say I would love to see what my daughter can learn from this place.”

Rest of the press conference is a lighthearted affair, certainly a farcry from the earlier chaos and aggression. Even when it’s time for the entrances, Kate and Cindy emerge together onto the stage, their arms wrapped around each other’s waist as they wave to the crowds. Beckinsale dressed in a modest navy sports bra, white boxing trunks, whereas Cindy in a light grey top, matching tights with black stripes down the side.

You know what they say, of course: everyone’s a friend till they step into the ring. Referee waves his hand and HERE we go with ten rounds of Catchweight action!

ROUND 1:
Kate decides to capitalise on her youthful advantage (so-called and relative), rushing at Cindy and sending punches into her arms right at the bell. Maybe the VIX head-honcho presumes that Cindy, being halfway on her stairway to heaven, would be moving and punching back like a senior citizen. Well, Beckinsale definitely lands the first couple of jabs clean to the face, but is immediately shocked by Cindy’s speed when the supermodel lunges back with a quick thud to the lips in turn, making Kate’s mouth explode in pain. Cindy presses her attack for a minute, testing out those legs that haven’t seen much action in a while. She chases Kate with more quickfire jabs, but Kate takes most of them on the arms and then springs forward with a sudden hook of her own, which slams haphazardly into the guard. These ladies might be pushing the limits but they’re still moving like twenty-year-olds in there!

ROUND 2:
Cindy of course resorts to that two-inch height advantage, decides to keep Kate at a distance with her long jabbing right. She shoots out punches at a moment’s notice, aiming for the Brit’s face in order to deter her advance. Beckinsale gets frustrated as a result, has to fend off attacks whilst blasting her own hooks in reply. Cindy’s experience in the ring of course comes in handy as she anticipates Beckinsale’s strategy and takes it apart with lightning attacks to disrupt. Beckinsale however falls back and plays the same waiting game, with the two women exchanging brisk fire in the final minute, sticking hands into the lips in a final flurry till the bell rings.

ROUND 3:
Cindy caught smiling by the many cameras in the stadium - we dare say the aging matriarch is loving her time back in the ring, and of course, she’s spurred on by the next generation of boxers, namely, her own daughter, Kaia, seated in the front row, who’s cheering her on from the edge of her seat. Crawford sticks another jab into Kate’s face, watching her wince with satisfaction, then barrels forward, hoping to capitalise. Beckinsale yelps as she’s met with another wall of jabs, which forces her to cover up and move back. Crawford picks her shots, falls back on her decade of training as she catches Kate with another left hand crisp to the lips, then pounds on the Vixen’s tummy down below to take another round for her family’s name.

ROUND 4:
But of course we couldn’t have expected these ladies to move like that forever. By the fourth round, they already look winded, slowing down in the minute one and only exchanging brief fire from afar. Cindy tries to pulse forward in the second, her punches aimed at Beckinsale’s head before trying to blow the smaller Brit off her feet with a right hook to the temple. But Kate’s not done yet, weaving backwards, and then another time, shrugging off a few more jabs to the arms before plowing her own cross straight to the nose, then pushing Crawford back with jabs to the guard. Cindy may have been a multi-champ in her heyday, but even she can’t miss the taste of leather in the mouth or the throbbing pain of the stuffing being pounded out of your body. Beckinsale takes as many points as she can towards the final seconds, mercilessly rapping blows into the side of Crawford’s head, then going after tummy with steady left-right-left combos. Cindy’s comeback not at all assured if this round is anything to go by.

ROUND 5:
AND DOWN SHE GOES!! Cindy having bravely waded forward when that bell rung, but got absolutely NAILED by a sudden combo square to the nose, which ended with a snap uppercut to the base of her chin! The older woman falters on the spot, one knee buckling as she goes stumbling off to the side! Beckinsale gives chase immediately, more diligent shots sent into her heaving body and chest as Cindy grapples with the top rope for support. Unfortunately, she’s rattled by another right hook off the chin from Beckinsale, as she SPINS DOWN to the canvas!! THIS MIGHT BE OVER!!

Beckinsale’s still hovering nearby, more out of concern than anything, as Cindy struggles to stay on her knees down by the ropes, both hands holding onto the middle rope for life support. Kaia does her best to encourage her mother from the apron, shouting platitudes of encouragement, but it’s just no use! Those aging legs can’t take more of this abuse as the referee passes the count of 10! This fight between cougars is over!!

Official Decision: Kate Beckinsale defeats Cindy Crawford via KO5!

AFTER:
A quick victory for Beckinsale and no doubt, one hell of a showdown between two ladies who deserve everything that they’ve achieved so far. Kate immediately helps Cindy to her feet, and the two women share a long hug in the middle of the ring. The VIX Head Honcho then beckons for Kaia to enter the ring as well, and in a show of solidarity, raises both mother and daughter’s hands to the cheering crowds.

Cindy and Kaia share a hug in turn, with the former Middleweight champion happy to pass the baton on to her daughter and a new generation of young and hungry fighters.

We’d like to thank the rest of you once again for gracing our event, which has ended on a happy note for once. See you on our next VIX card!