Yvonne Strahovski vs. Blake Lively

Results: Lookout!; Story: Front Street

BEFORE:

Rematch of top-flight blonde lights from last April. That time, Vonnie stopped Blake in seven. This time, Lively is determined that things will be different. "I made some mistakes that night," the American admits. "And, you just can't MAKE mistakes against her. But, tonight I get a second chance. And, I won't blow it."

"It's cute that Blake thinks things are going to be any different tonight than they were last year," says Vonnie. "Cute. But, wrong."

ROUND ONE:

Ranged warfare to start things. No surprise, as both blondes are tall and long and like to work on these terms. Of course, last time, things started like this and BOOM! Lively with a right hand, just like in the first round in 2019 and Vonnie is HURT! Blake POURING the fire on her rival, backing her into the ropes, hammering way with both hands. Straho in a tight earmuff, covering up. Ref looking in, ready to pounce. American close to a huge first round stoppage here. But, Vonnie's hanging on, blocking punches, rolling with, doing just enough to keep the referee at bay. Final thirty seconds see Straho beginning to shake the worst of the damage and fire back. By the time the bell rings, ladies fighting on even terms, but, by then, Blake's claimed the points wide to go up 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

Back to boxing at range. Ladies both showing why they like these terms. And, the answer is simple. They're both very, very good at this. Hands are out and back quickly. Jabs land effectively and are followed up immediately with right hands. Flurries are built. And, just as importantly, punches are avoided. Both blondes know how to block and slip. Both move the feet well and make it difficult for an opponent to square them up. But. Both Aussie and American manage to do it and do it well enough to score plenty with hard leather. There's not much in it this time, not much at all. And, both fighters know it. Final thirty seconds sees the combatants turning up the heat in an effort to steal the points. But. When the bell rings, it's still very close. It's also Blake, who's now up 20-18.

ROUND THREE:

Same again. Blondes getting their box on and no one gaining much of an advantage. Both fighters getting what they want, and taking advantage of it, but neither can gain any kind of control. Instead, it's back and forth the whole way. First, Lively lands a solid combination that forces Vonnie to back up. Then, the Aussie fires back, forcing Blake to back and cover. If you're a purist, this is the round for you. There's nothing sloppy about any of it. Instead, both blondes look absolutely fantastic on both offense and defense. They're so good at the former, you can't believe everything doesn't land, and they're so good at the latter, that it's an upset when punches land. Again, it's almost dead even into the final half minute, and, again, both ladies turn on the jets. When the bell rings, though, for the third straight time it's Blake, who's now up 30-27.

ROUND FOUR:

Same yet again. Ranged boxing and lots of it. And, once again, it's impressive stuff. Both fighters in a rhythm now, and, despite that, neither can take control of things, or, in fact, create any space. The blondes are clearly very evenly matched on these terms, and, as both are also very effective on them, nobody's moving to make any changes, at least not yet. And, "yet" has to be in the minds of the Lookout! corner. They're aware their girl is behind and might, at some point, have to be more aggressive. But, not yet. For now, this is the way they and Straho are comfortable going. Final 30 is, for the third consecutive round, action packed, as both fighters again try to steal the points. When the bell finally rings, it's once again a razor's edge kind of thing, but, finally, Vonnie's on the board, cutting Blake's lead to 39-37.

ROUND FIVE:

Back to boxing. Both fighters still have everything working. Setting up punches, putting together combinations, moving well, slipping, blocking. It's training video stuff, all done just about as well as you can do it. BOOM! Everything changes. Right. Hand. VONNIE! Straho wobbles Blake with a perfectly-placed cross and Lively is in trouble! Straho turns up the heat, letting the hands go, driving the American back against the cables and thumping away at her. Blake in a tight guard, crouching some to protect the body. Vonnie going to ribs and mid-section at times, but mainly concentrating on the head. She's buffeting Lively around and he ref has noticed. He's looking in closely, but, Blake does enough to keep him at bay to the bell. When it rings, Straho's got it wide and she's narrowed Blake's lead to 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Vonnie in control. Aussie beauty's got the American in her sights and she's calling in artillery strike after artillery strike. Blake attempting a fighting retreat. She's able to land here and there in the counter, but, most of the time, she's just backing and covering as Yvonne gives her a beating. Straho definitely trying to finish here. She's sitting down on her punches, upping her already-impressive work rate, throwing just about everything she has at Blake. But, Lively's managing well. She's taking a thumping, but she's staying off the ropes and ON her feet. Late in the round, American beginning to move better, fire back more. She's still getting the worst of it, but she's clearly ridden out the worst of the storm. At the bell, there's no doubt that Yvonne has claimed the points wide and evened things at 57, but there's also no doubt Blake is back in the fight.

ROUND SEVEN:

Ladies back to range, boxing, but both a little more aggressive now. Blondes clearly know this thing is close and they're looking to gain an advantage heading into the late rounds. Nobody gets one for a minute and a half. It's nip and tuck, with both fighters landing some hard shot. Then. BOOM! Straight right hand, Blake! Vonnie wobbles and IS DROPPED BY A LEFT HOOK! Straho down on her left side as Blake goes quickly to a neutral corner. Ref counting down on the Aussie. Vonnie rolls to her belly at six. She pushes to hands and knees at seven, begins to stand at eight...and CRUMPLES BACK TO THE CANVAS! It's OVER! Strahovski can't beat the count and it's OVER! And your winner by KO7 in lightning strike fashion is Blake Lively!

AFTER:

Blake absolutely exuberant. She's gotten a win back from Yvonne and a big one it is. "That's what I'm TALKING about!" Blake says with a grin. "I went in there and boxed with her. I slugged with her. She got me in trouble and I got out of it. And, then, I FINISHED her! I'm coming for those belts. This is the year. 2020. And, those belts are going to be MINE."