Laura Pausini vs. Missy Peregrym

(Latin Union vs Lookout! Boxing)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Front Street

BEFORE:

Two brunettes looking to accomplish very different things in this one. Missy's gotten rolling again and is shoving her way back into the title picture while Laura, who's struggled mightily for results, is simply looking to claim an impressive scalp and whatever opportunities come with it. But, if Peregrym is the big favorite, Missy isn't taking the power-hitting Italian lightly. "She's dangerous," Peregrym admits. "But. So am I."

"Of course," Laura says with a smile, "No one expects ME to win. But. I might just surprise everyone."

ROUND ONE:

Missy getting her box on early, moving well, forcing Laura to stalk. Pausini game, working the feet, looking to cut the ring. BOOM! She catches Missy with a right hand! And Peregrym is HURT! Missy rumblin', stumblin', fumblin' as she tries to stay on her feet. Italian all in. This is the chance she hoped for and she's taking full advantage. Laura backs the Canadian into the ropes and has at her, head and body, hammering away looking to finish. Ref looking closely. Peregrym taking a TON of shell here, but she's doing enough to stay alive, firing back in spots. But, it's Laura who's swinging for the fences, punishing the Canadian with both hands. Final seconds of the round see Missy banging back hard, having shaken the worst of it, but, at the bell, it's Laura wide and with the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Pausini forward. Missy there to meet her. Peregrym may not have the legs all the way back or may not care. Either way, we're getting some toe-to-toe slugging right now, and both brunettes are plenty effective doing it. And, the crowd is absolutely loving the fact that Canadian and Italian are exchanging BOMBS in the middle of the ring. Heads are snapped back, sweat is sent flying, yet no one takes a backward step. Both fighters determined to hold canvas, no matter what her opponent throws at her, and both manage to do it throughout. Result is a ton of power punches landing, but nobody hurt. Result is also a very competitive round. There's not much in it right to the final bell, which comes at the end of another sharp exchange. It's ridiculously close. But, it's Missy, and she's evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Same again. Ladies right in one another's faces now. Missy's definitely got her legs under her at this point, so, this is all intentional on the part of the Canadian. She's slugging with and believes she can come out on top doing so. At the moment, though? Not so much. Instead, Pausini holding her own very well, answering every hard flurry from the former champ with one of her own. Again, heads are snapped back and sweat is sent flying, but nobody's hurt. Though everybody has to be feeling the heavy leather that's being traded in the middle of the ring. Again, it's crowd-pleasing stuff, with the fans loving all the heavy bombs going back and forth. And, again, there's not much in it. When the bell finally rings, it's close for the second consecutive round. This time, though, it's Laura, and Pausini is back on top 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Bombs being traded yet again. Something's got to give at some point, but, not yet. Instead, both brunettes keep dishing out a ton of punishment and both continue to take the lickings and keep on ticking. Then. BOOM! A right hand from Missy and LAURA IS HURT! Pausini's legs give a shimmy and Peregrym is all in! Canadian letting the hands go in a big way. Forcing the Italian back to the ropes and absolutely BLITZING her with barrage after barrage of leather. Laura in a high guard, showing veteran wiles by doing enough to stay alive and keep the referee from stopping this while concentrating on blocking and rolling with the huge amount of heavy fire coming her way. Looks grim for awhile, but Pausini hangs on to the bell. When it rings, it's, of course, Missy wide and we're back even at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Missy sensing victory here. She's stepping to Laura, backing her up. Italian not exactly trying to hold canvas. Instead, she's giving ground, attempting a fighting retreat. Canadian mostly unbothered by the Italian's back-foot retorts, however. She's determined to get this thing over with and get Pausini out of there. Peregrym landing solid leather in the attempt, but once again finding Laura plenty sturdy. BOOM! Right hand, MISSY! Laura staggers and PEREGRYM DROPS HER WITH A BIG FLURRY! Pausini spilled to her back as the Canadian heads to a neutral corner. Laura rolling over to her belly at five, begins trying to crawl to the ropes. Grabs hold at eight, but it's much too late. She's barely begun to climb when the count passes her by. It's OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Missy Peregrym!

AFTER:

Missy plenty pleased in the post-fight. "Like I said, she's dangerous," the Canadian says with a shake of the head. "You always get a fight with Laura. But, I'm still the best athlete in the FCBA and I'm still the best lightweight in the FCBA, and I can't wait to get a chance to prove that. Yet again."