Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)

(Beever's Babe's vs Girls Friday)

Intro:
Two former champions do battle now, Gemma Atkinson and Joan Smalls have been at the mountain top, after little bad runs of form, one will rise up and the other will tumble further down.

Gemma is 35 years old, she stands 5'9, holding a record of 22 wins, 20 coming by way of knockout, with 32 defeats, she is a former FCBA welterweight champion.

Joan is 31 years old, she stands 5'10 ½, holding a record of 11 wins, all coming by knockout, with only 2 defeats, she is a former BBU welterweight champion.

While these two fighters have titles in common, they also have suffered a loss to Doutzen Kroes in the past few months, each being stopped by the hard hitting Kroes in the sixth round.

This also seems to be a fight both women have wanted for a while, comments have been made in the past about the other, mostly how they would love to school the other in the ring.

The build up to the fight saw both sit down in front of BBU TV cameras with presenter Denise Van Outen, Gemma is the first to sit down to speak to Denise.

Asked about how she is feeling going into this fight, Gemma replies "I've wanted a crack at Joan for a while, I hoped she would have the guts to do it while she held the BBU title, guess now she needs me I get the chance to show the world why I am truly elite"

The next question is how does she get out the slump she is in, Gemma laughs before answering "come on Denise how do you think? I simply a need to unload my power and see someone get knocked out cold at my feet"

"I know Joan can bang with the best, can she deal with me though? I don't think she can, I have the physical attributes she can only dream of" Gemma flexing her toned arms to prove her point.

Next up is Joan, who is relaxed as she takes the seat, getting asked about Gemma, she grins before saying "I have had Gemma barking at me for over a year now, I think she forgot you have to win fights to get a shot at titles, instead she must have wanted to annoy me into a title fight"

Leaning forwards a little, Joan continues "I respect what Gemma did in the past, to conquer America is something I'd love to do, that's in the past though, this Gemma is a worn down bytch looking to be put down like old yeller out back, I've got two barrels aimed at her" nodding to each fist as she raises them.

Denise lastly asks about her loss to Doutzen, more about does she think people have wired her up as a fighter, Joan simply shakes her head before saying "two losses doesn't make a has been, I'm still good enough to be the champion around here" smiling as she heads off.

Fight night; out comes Gemma with her coach Denise Lewis, both women looking all business as they head down the aisle, only fist bumping a few in the front row.

The actress is wearing a red sports bra with black trim, matching trunks and shoes, black gloves, while her blonde hair is tied into a ponytail.

Getting into the ring, Gemma gives the crowd a quick bow, she is focused on her warm up routine though as Denise tells her to give her fans a show.

Out comes Joan with Rebecca Romjin and Eva Carneiro beside her, the Puerto Rican fighter is all smiles as she doesn't look too bothered by the task in front of her.

She is wearing a white sports bra with black trim, matching trunks and shoes, black gloves, while her brunette hair is tied into a braid.

Climbing through the ropes, Joan lifts her arms in the air as she soaks in her fans cheers, shadow boxing in her corner not long after with her coach drilling her on what she expects tonight.

Coming to the center of the ring, both fighters glare at their rival, finally the time will be over for talking, all business now on who is the better fighter.

Bumping gloves hard together, they both return to their corners, gumshields put in mouths as the fighters are ready, 10 rounds of welterweight action starts now.

Round 1:
They look tense to start, neither wanting to make a mistake in the opening minute, trading single punches as they circle, crowd chanting both their names to try to fire them up seemingly.

Gemma is the one to push the pace up a notch, stepping inside with a jab to the body, followed by a right cross up top as she looks to push back Joan.

Who when she is nudged near the ropes, catches Gemma with a left cross to her cheek, followed by a straight that knocks the blondes head back to the delight of her corner.

The next time they sit on their punches to trade, Joan leans out the way of a left hook, firing another straight to the nose, two cross punches come in next to bash the face of Atkinson.

It's Joan who seems to be the one in control now, digging in more body shots as the round goes on, Gemma finds herself being pushed back towards the ropes.

At the bell Joan bounces on her toes when she jogs back to her corner, Gemma looks annoyed with herself as she jogs back to her own corner to be met with Denise telling her to get her arse in gear.

Round 2:
Back out they come looking more comfortable to throw more punches in volume, drilling some nice crisp punches into the others face to knock back heads.

Beginning to use her reach advantage to box Gemma at range, landing crisp punches into the face of the smaller woman to mark up her face.

But Gemma soon slips a jab to dig in a right hook under the ribs, an overhand left then bangs Joan on the side of her head, knocking back Smalls towards the ropes with a follow up three punch combo to the face.

Nudging back Gemma with her left forearm, Joan gets herself off the ropes, Atkinson though is growing into the round with her becoming more aggressive.

Back and forth goes the action through the final minute, till they nearly butt heads, working the others body as they look to try to win the round.

At the bell it is tight to call who won, the fighters seem to know that as they give each other a quick nod on their way back to their corners.

Round 3:
Stepping back out their corners, Gemma is moving her head more to find different angles to strike, dodging a jab to land an overhand right to the cheek.

Soon enough Gemma gets herself in to the inside, where she goes to work on the body of her opponent, making her groan out as Gemma barks out in effort.

Smalls is able to land two cross punches to the sides of Atkinson's head, allowing her to get into space and box on the outside again.

The difference in strategy clear to see with Joan headhunting, compared to Gemma looking to wear down the Puerto Rican fighter to the body.

Gemma lands a straight into the mouth of Joan, opening the former BBU champion up to a left cross to her face, knocking back Smalls onto the ropes.

Where Joan is stuck behind her guard for the remainder of the round, at the bell Gemma has a grin as she returns to her corner, Denise praises her for getting into gear after a slow start.

Round 4:
Coming out with a slight change to her plan it seems, Joan is allowing Gemma to be the more aggressive fighter, in turn though she is looking for the counter punches to rock the Brit.

Who is getting in some nice punches on the inside when she can get closer in the opening minute, Gemma though is taking hits square on her face though.

A jab/straight combo lands on Gemma's mouth, blood trickling from her bottom lip, with a more angry look forming on the blondes face as she looks to close the distance to land some heavier leather.

For the most part though Joan is controlling the action, keeping Gemma on the outside with crisp jabs, sending sweat from the top of Gemma's head.

Heading into the final minute, Gemma times her attack better after Denise yells at her, she deflects a straight after she feints, drilling in a right cross/left hook combo to send Joan backwards now.

Gemma getting some enjoyment it seems on marking up Joan's face with several clean shots around her guard, keeping Joan near the ropes as the Atkinson fans cheer louder.

The round comes to a close though with Gemma thudding her gloves together, annoyed that the momentum she was building seemed to get pushed aside by a strong showing from Joan this round.

Round 5:
Again Joan surprises some with her more defensive approach, letting Gemma come to her before letting rip with counter punches to the cheeks and mouth of the hard hitting actress.

Who is gamely coming forwards, landing some crisp punches when she can close the gap between them, sticking mostly to the body to make Joan hiss out.

Problem is Joan is now banging her punches across the face of Gemma when the blondes gloves go down, a right hook sends sweat off the head of Atkinson.

With Joan now starting to bash back Gemma to the outside of the ring, controlling the center of the ring as Smalls changes up her own tactics, looking to bully back the smaller woman.

Gemma shows off her toughness though, weathering the storm to slip inside to land an uppercut that knocks back Joan to her heels.

Back goes Joan now across the ring, Gemma giving her fans hope again as she presses Joan back onto the ropes, landing several stiff shots to the body to make the brunette wince.

Soon the round ends with both women wiping sweat from their brows, the Girls Friday crew looking happier of the two corner teams, both know they are in a fight though as they stare hard at each other.

Round 6:
Knowing she needs to find something extra, Gemma starts feinting more to draw Joan into a trap, both landing stiff single punches in the opening thirty seconds, the most cagey they've both been since the opening moments of the fight.

Soon dipping under a right cross, Gemma uses her left shoulder to bump back Joan, bodying up to the taller fighter, while digging into those abs with repeated right hands to make Smalls gasp out.

Pulling Gemma into a front headlock when she finds herself on the ropes, Joan can be seen cursing Gemma, the referee needed to break them apart as they grapple along the ropes.

Into space they go, standing to trade to get the fans up on their feet, heads getting turned as sweat goes flying, some blood starts to run from the bottom lip of Joan now.

Again dipping under a straight, Gemma gets in closer with an overhand left smacking Joan to the side of her head, an uppercut knocks back Smalls onto her heels.

Into a corner goes Joan as they enter the final moments of the round, Gemma looking to break down her opponent with hooks, landing on the guard of the Girls Friday fighter.

The round ends with both fighters pounding their chests, showing they are in this fight for the long haul, the crowd roars for them as they exchange a few insults before turning back to their corners.

Where both are getting wiped down, coaches giving them advice as they know this is getting close to call, Gemma starting to gain ground on Joan again after a tricky two rounds before that.

Round 7:
Fighting more at midrange now, maybe Joan senses she is getting to Gemma, some cracking punches landing to send sweat flying into the air.

A missed right hook from Gemma leaves her open to an uppercut, a left hook follows straight onto her chin to rock the blonde, her guard is lowered as she backs up.

Smelling blood in the water, Joan powers forwards with three punches clean to the face of the former FCBA champion, who ends up backed into a corner.

Gemma tries gamely fighting back, problem is Joan is in free flow right now, TWO UPPERCUTS LANDS PERFECT AS GEMMA'S GUMSHIELD FLIES OUT AND SHE GOES TIMBER! FACE DOWN TO THE CANVAS!

Joan raises her arms into the air as she stares down at Gemma, needing to be told to move to the neutral corner, which she does after pounding her chest while making eye contact with Denise.

1...2...3...4.. Gemma is stirring, slowly moving to her right side, 5...6...7.. Her eyes though have a glazed look to them, 8....9... Denise looks down as 10 Gemma is counted out!

Winner Joan Smalls KO Round 7

After:
Another big scalp for the former BBU champion, she is beaming as she raises her arms into the air, her fans are chanting her name, while she nods along with them.

Denise rushes into the ring to check on Gemma, who is slowly helped to sit up when she comes back to reality, a disappointed look etched onto her face as she felt Gemma had a good chance tonight of getting her hand raised.

Instead everyone is surprised when Joan heads over to them instead of her corner, hands on her hips as she says to Denise "tell Gemma when she that she is tough but not now or ever will be in my league" that makes Denise glare in response.

Returning to her corner, Rebecca asks Joan "sure you want to poke the bear, Denise will be working Gemma's ass off if you two have a rematch" Joan just grins at that and nods at Rebecca as if saying that's the plan.

Across the ring Gemma is helped out the ring as the doctors want to do tests on her after such a brutal knockout she suffered, her fans cheer her on as she waves at them.

She gave a great effort, just seemed tonight Joan had the answers to beat her, it'll be interesting to see where Gemma goes next as she looks to regain a title this year.

Back inside the ring Joan is posing for the cameras with her arms flexed, looking proud of herself tonight after another big win, Rebecca smiles as she puts on arm around the shoulder of Eva, saying "I lucked out getting this job when you have talent like that to coach" Eva nodding with a big smile at that.

Joan soon enough leaves the ring with her crew, you can't rule her out getting back to the top of the mountain this year if she can build on this result, she might have to wait though with all the hungry challengers for that top spot.