Results: Lookout Writing: Archer

Katie: 36 YO, 5’5 ½ (1.66 m), BBU: 11-2-0, 11 KO since 2017, Foxfire Atlantic Boxing

Lea: 34 YO, 5’6 (1.68 m), BBU: 12-7-0 12 KO since 2012, Latin Union

Before: “I thought Lea was a very logical opponent for me. She’s a former BBU Bantam Champion like myself and she’s got an edge in height, youth and experience. Those are challenges I want to be able to overcome,” Katie McGrath says before the fight. “I don’t say I will be able to do it, but it’s important for my development that I do.”

“I am just pleased to be back in the BBU. My recent sojourn in the FCBA did not go as I had hoped. Now I am back on what I hope will be a more successful venue. I need a win and I am determined to get it,” says Lea Seydoux.

On Fight Night, Lea Seydoux to the ring in a dark blue one piece suit with black gloves and boots with blue laces. Hair is pulled back in a tight French braid.

Katie McGrath to the ring in shiny dark green one piece with matching gloves and boots (gold laces). Katie’s hair is in ponytail.

Ring instructions covered quickly. It’s clear both of these women are here to fight and want to get to it. Tap of the gloves and they are on their way to their corners. The bell rings.

Round 1:

Fighters head for center ring and there is a burst of punching as soon they come within range. Katie and Lea trade shots to head and body. Looks to be a feeling out period as the two see what the other has got. Then Lea seems to have seen enough. She suddenly advances snapping Katie’s head back with fast strikes to the face and off the jaw. Katie recovering to out some strong hooks into Lea’s midsection. Lea keeps trying for the head, but Katie has her guard up to block these incoming so Lea turns attacking Katie to the ribs and stomach. Katie responds with body counters of her own and she’s getting better leverage on her punches. Lea tipped forward at the waist and Katie can work on Lea’s overhanging breasts. Lea backs away and sets up behind a defensive jab which blocks Katie’s follow up. Very active opening round, but Katie McGrath wins it by a close margin.

Round 2:

New round opens with Lea Seydoux going hard at Katie McGrath to the head and she scores with crunching right to the jaw that staggers the Irish boxer. Katie to regroup a Lea follows up with more punches that bounce off Katie’s head. Katie all hunched up and looking for an escape route, but Lea cutting off the ring on her. Katie trying to jab Lea back, but Lea’s showing good footwork making the counters hard to land squarely. At the same time, Lea is pumping a steady stream of punches into Katie’s flanks as she tries to work her into the ropes. Katie finally forced into the ropes, but she has stalled long enough so that Lea has barely started her beat down when the bell rings. Lea looks miffed that she couldn’t do more damage to Katie this round, but she did win the round wide.

Round 3:

Katie trying to fight back by going after Lea to the head as this round gets started, but Lea’s still an elusive target and the punches are not landing effectively. Then Lea strikes back with solid blows to the chin and jaw that have Katie on shaking legs. Lea then moves in to hammer Katie to the body and this time she drives the Irish brunette into the ropes. Katie covers her face and head as Lea can finally start working Katie’s body over. It is a methodical pounding from breasts to rib cage and down to the stomach and back again. Katie trying to hunch up against the pounding, just hangs on grimly and makes it to the end of the round. Lea seems quite satisfied as she turns and walks back to her corner. Katie peels herself off the ropes and walks slowly back to her own corner.

Round 4:

Lea comes speeding out of her corner eager to finish Katie off as the new round begins. However Katie unexpectedly greets Lea with a furious series of jabs to the head and face. Lea falls back, her face cut, swollen and dripping crimson. Katie again attacks swinging again at Lea’s head. Lea banged hard, but then catches Katie with a desperate right to the jaw that sends Katie stumbling back. Lea has gained a few moments of precious recovery time and so is ready when Katie comes back at her. Now they are going at it toe to toe slamming punches in to the body, trying to force the other to retreat, but they seemed stalemated as the punching raged on. Then Katie’s hammering hooks finally began to draw groans and gurgles of pain from Lea as she finally gave ground. Lea was still fighting, but Katie was moving her back, that was clear, but the bell sounded. It had been another close round, but Katie McGrath emerged the victor on the judges’ cards. Lea looking pale and shaky as she went back to her corner where she collapsed onto her stool. Katie looks weary but makes it more easily to her own corner.

Round 5:

Lea worked on hard by her corner people during the break and she is able to move out at the bell, but she is moving with stiffness. Katie out much more quickly and immediately goes at Lea to her badly battered body. Lea trying to fight back, but Katie is ravaging her ribs and abs with powerful hooks. Lea bending forward, trying to protect her agonized midsection and then Katie suddenly goes after Lea to the chin which has become unguarded. Right and left uppercuts slam into Lea’s chin and snaps her upright, then Katie unleashes the right cross/left hook classic combo to the jaw AND DOWN GOES LEA SEYDOUX! Lea out on her feet just crashes on her back and lies there, chest heaving, eyes fluttering. Katie trots to the neutral corner and watches with interest. Referee has moved in and begin counting. Lea stirs and tries to rise on her elbows, but then falls back with her right arm covering her eyes against the glare of the overhead lights.

“NINE!...TEN!...YOU’RE OUT!” The referee cries and then goes over to raise Katie’s right arm.

THE WINNER KATIE MCGRATH DEFEATS LEA SEYDOUX KO5!

After: “It was everything I had hoped for,” Katie McGrath comments later, “I was challenged by a very good fighter, but I overcame that challenge and won my fight. Now I feel ready to move on in the federation. Maybe even work towards another title shot.”

Lea Seydoux able to comment the next day says: “I am disappointed in myself. I feel I was winning that fight, but it suddenly turned around in the 4th. I would rather not dwell too much on the defeat. One must always look to the next fight, but I will admit I feel like this is one I let get away.”

Not much more for an observer to say about the fight. It was good win for Katie McGrath and a disappointment for Lea Seydoux. Fans certainly did get an exciting bout to watch and can look forward to future fights from both Lea and Katie.