Venue: Old Trafford,Manchester.

An important battle in the bantamweight division tonight as Shona McGarty and Rachel Riley duke it out for climbing another rung of the ladder towards a title shot in 2019 both hope awaits.

The winner knowing that a bantamweight eliminator versus Helen George awaited,Helen herself at ringside to view her next opponent,whoever that would be.a clash of styles presented itself tonight as Rachel's technical skills went up against Shona's sledgehammer approach. 

Could Shona solve the conundrum that is Rachel.

Shona announced first up by the M.C.

"Presenting from the Marti Mauler's stable,weighing in at 130 lbs.A professional record of 10 fights,8 victories all by KO,and 2 defeats."

SHONA MCGARTY!

A chorus of boos rained down from the packed stands as the Londoner marched into the crowded stadium.

The brunette striding confidently towards the ring,her coach Jill Halfpenny flanking her.

Shona all business in a black sports bra,hot pants,boots and gloves her plum tresses tied back in a sleek ponytail.

Rachel now announced.

"Presenting from the Beever's Babes stable.weighing in at 128 lbs,A professional record of 6 fights,5 victories all by KO.and one defeat."

RACHEL RILEY!

The Man Utd fan getting a huge ovation as she marched out to battle.

The blonde countdown star also exuding confidence,the radiant blonde strutting towards the ring.

Denise Lewis by her side as the Beever's know the importance of this night.

Rachel showing her physique in a baby blue bikini, boots and gloves.

Formalities observed to the letter,and a polite glove touch before both stunners retreat to their respective corners.

10 rounds of bantamweight action

Round 1
A circumspect beginning the crowd entranced as both babes forage for an advantage.

Shona fighting from range at first,but the taller Rachel picking her off with a sweet jab.

And the older fighter bossing the early stages as she uses her reach to foil Shona's attacks.

Shona forced to duck as Rachel lets a cunning right hook rip,just flying over Shona's brunette curls.

Now Shona showing her athleticism as she aimed a lethal left hook of her own at Rachel's jaw.

Riley far too nimble for such an attack to hit home,and McGarty having too be agile again to parry Rachel's jabbing counter.

Both girls now dancing round each other,feinting and delving for weaknesses in the other's stance.

But both meeting sturdy defence at the end of the first round.

Round 2
Similar tactics in this round both fighters working well behind tight guards.

As both probed for any weakness in their opponent,Shona slightly more aggressive as she tried to get inside the taller Rachel,but a clever jab attack from the blonde forcing Shona into defensive mode,as she covered up,Rachel jabbing persistently to unsettle the younger brunette,who flicked out a right hook in response and nipping Rachel,who now covered up herself.

Both content to take a quick breather as the action paused momentarily,before coming forwards again,exchanging right hooks apiece,Shona eventually getting inside and unleashing her power to Rachel's midriff,causing the blonde to retreat warily,Shona caught by the counter as she advanced with Rachel now exploding and tagging Shona's skull with a trio of accurate shots,Shona now wary herself and keeping a high guard as Rachel eyed early success.

Both girls walking purposefully to their corners at the sound of the bell.

Round 3
More high quality action on display as both worked solidly behind their jabs.

Probing attacks rather than blood n thunder,Rachel landing the sweeter shots,forcing Shona to back away,but when the blonde advances towards Shona she eats a right hook to the lips,shaking her briefly before she composed herself and blocked Shona's follow-up shot to the body,Rachel forcing a clinch to buy some recovery time.

The ref steps between them,and orders the action to restart,Shona trying to catch Rachel's unawares at the break but the blonde too cute for Shona's wild head shot,and Shona hit's only fresh air,as Rachel skips merrily around the smaller girl,a rapid jab stinging Shona's skin as she blinked with the impact.

Round 4
Cagey start to this round both ladies waiting for the moment to strike as they circled one another.

Rachel the first to make a move aiming a hook at Shona's skull from distance,the blow grazing Shona's head as she ducked.

Rachel attempting a follow up to the ducking brunette,but Shona managing to clinch messily.

And the ref splits the fighters.

Shona upping her tempo on the resumption.

Shona's aggression paying off as she once again gets inside Rachel and lands a nice right to Rachel's ab's.

Now the taller fighter the one forced to clinch.

Round 5
Shona again belligerent as she upped the tempo,a calm Rachel effective in her defence,and catching the brunette with some clever counter-punches,Shona's face puffy now as Rachel's precise attacks paid dividends,but still the younger fighter came forward,walking on to Rachel's accurate jabs.

The Eastend star forced to clinch as she releases a heavy sigh,the ref splitting the girls.

Fight growing scrappy as both girls struggled for dominance,each off target with their heavy shots,as they each danced and ducked,but this messy period suiting Shona as she worked her way into the round,again success for the brunette as she fought body-to-body her boundless energy serving her well as Rachel losing the close quarter skirmish,now the blonde forced to retreat to the ropes as Shona out muscled her,Rachel's zumba skills coming in handy as she deftly skipped out of trouble.

Round 6
Clash of styles continuing through the 6th Rachel trying to fight from distance,while Shona trying to get inside and use her close-range power.

Again stalemate ensues as neither can press home an advantage,both landing strong shots to the other's jaw,

But each proving they have a tough chin,as both shake off the other's best efforts.

And they meet centre ring in the dying seconds of the round,both noticeably more sedate in their approach now, 

Grudging nods of respect as the bell goes,and each take their stools.

Round 7
The pace dropping as both know this is going deep and energy needs conserving.

Shona still more workmanlike and Rachel,content to counter-punch.

The brunette's punches still packing a fizz,as she broke through Rachel's high guard with a powerful left hook,rocking the blonde on her heels.

Rachel quickly regrouped and delivered an uppercut to Shona's jugs in response,Shona riding the blow and now both girls trading at close range.

Once again Shona faring better in this skirmish,her power coming to the fore as Rachel felt the brunette's heavy body shots.

The taller Rachel taking a step back to give herself room to utilise her height advantage,but Shona scenting blood now and hounding the blonde with a steady jab,keeping Rachel honest in her defence.and not allowing room for Rachel's killer combinations to do any damage.

Round 8
A slow start to this round as both circle one another,playing the waiting game.

Shona tiring of this impasse and she stepped onto Rachel,clubbing the blonde with some hefty body shots,the blonde backpedalling now as Shona turned up the heat and cut Rachel off trapping her against the ropes.

Rachel's head snapped back by some deft jabs by Shona,and Shona now encroaches on Rachel's space her succession of hooks to the body,beating the blonde's tired defence and a rapid uppercut floors Rachel.

The blonde groggy as she vaguely listens to the ref's count.

5,6,7....!

Rachel shakily makes her feet,and the ref nods for the bout to resume.

Shona hammering a woozy Rachel into the ropes before another uppercut sends the blonde to dreamland.

Rachel sprawled lifeless on the canvas,deaf now to the ref's count which had reached.

8,9,10 AND YOU'RE OUT!

A weary Shona embracing her delighted coach Jill,as Denise attempted to revive the KO'ED beauty.

Shona climbing onto the bottom rope and eyeballing Helen George who is all that stands between her and a title shot.

Shona McGarty def Rachel Riley KO 8