Luisana:
(34, 5’6, 115, 36:14 FCBA, VIXENS)

Candice:
(34, 5’7, 14:17 FCBA, Empire Boxing)

BEFORE:
Luisana Lopilato is punching above her weight in this next match-up by going up against Empire Boxing’s Candice Accola, who is a well-known Bantam and Lightweight fighter. The last person to find that out the hard way was none other than the Vixens’ own Kyra Santoro, whom Luisana is looking to take revenge on behalf tonight.

“I’ve watched the tapes, and Kyra has of course been helping me behind the scenes. I’m looking for a quick knockout tonight, and I’m sure Kyra will be quick on my heels to demand a rubber match. Candice hasn’t fought in years, so I’m also banking on her inactivity tonight to get the job done,” Luisana says with a smile.

“She can bet all she wants,” Candice follows up with a frown of her own. “But I’m gonna end her like I did Santoro. These Vixens are all talk and zero bite. Kyra, at least, had power to her repertoire - what does Luisana have to her own name?”

Blondes are the same height, age and built, so it’s gonna be interesting once the action commences in the ring. For now, the American and Argentinian face off on stage, fists raised up and co-smirking in each other’s faces, but they do shake hands at the break, before heading backstage for their final prep.

Fight night rolls round and Candice is looking swag in a bright red bikini top and long black tights. The Empire girl is wearing black gloves for this contest. Across from her in the ring is Luisana Lopilato, dressed in her usual white cotton briefs and bra, pumping yellow gloves tipped with black into the air.

There goes the bell and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Bantamweight action!

ROUND 1:
Candice is full of energy at the sound of the bell, vaunting forward with heavy strikes to try and surprise Luisana. Well, mission accomplished, cos’ Luisana is sent leaping backwards as if she’s about to be stung by a poisonous animal, arms haphazard and flying in front of her face as Candice fires in punches to her face and arms to take the lead. Luisana finally holds her ground and balance in the second minute, firing back with jabs of her own that crunch into Candice’s face. Back-and-forth dance they go as both ladies end the round at opposite ends of the ring, still taking pot-shots at each other from afar, but more or less hitting the arms for the majority of the action. Candice did enough, earlier, to win the first round wide.

ROUND 2:
Candice continues to hound Luisana from a distance, crunching shots sent into her face as the Empire starlet combines power and speed to keep Luisa at bay. Luisana having some trouble closing the distance to exact her revenge, even greater problems keeping her energy at the same levels as her opponent. Candice stays atop the retreating Vixen, bashing her to the arms and taking wide shots at her face and chest. Luisana is known for her counter-punching abilities but it’s difficult when your opponent is constantly moving and fighting, with little rhyme or rhythm to her actions. It’s only in the last minute does Luisa find some footing, using Candice’s tiring frame for target practice as she bashes a cross into her face, another one-two combo smacking into the tummy to send Accola packing, for now. Was it the masterpiece she was expecting? Hell no. But Luisana at least stems the bleeding and closes this round with a smaller loss.

ROUND 3:
But Candice’s aggression couldn’t be sustained for that long, either. The Empire girl is still moving forwards with a confidence, but she’s breathing more heavily and often amidst the big swings tossed at Luisa’s head. It’s Lopilato’s turn to shine as she keeps focused on those moving missiles, expertly weaving her head and torso from side to side to avoid them crashing in completely, before bashing her own hook across Candice’s face to at one point in the second to daze her fellow to the side with a grunt. Accola’s just landing her stuff less often here, grunting as another side-winder catches her hard on the ear, and almost sends her flying into the ropes. Lopilato still remains cautious and far away, however, winding down the round with mutual jabs exchanged in tight quarters, which costs her a possible wide performance by giving that much breathing space to Candice’s recovery.

ROUND 4:
But she ain’t making the same mistake twice! Cos’ here comes Luisa, looking to shine! This time, she takes the fight to Accola directly, storming in with her head dipped low and arms chugging at Accola’s body and arms, and Accola is too much surprised and winded to do anything but cower backwards and scram! The blonde Vixen takes her revenge shots, powering a fist straight into the body before knocking Candice’s head back with snap jabs that scream in too fast for the Empire starlet to catch. Accola gets backed into the ropes repeatedly this round, covering her face up to weather the assault but her body then taking stiff punches from an eager and laser-focused Luisana Lopilato, who finally evens the odds at the sound of the bell! This fight is still wide open!

ROUND 5:A
Candice makes a final push in the opening seconds, having given enough ground to the Vixen and wanting to stake a comeback performance in the fifth! She slams a hard hook into Luisa’s body but her subsequent attacks bounce harmlessly off the guard. Another swish to the head misses entirely once Lopilato ducks under, IN A FLASHwhipping her own glove across Accola’s chin, which turns the tables!! Accola’s shocked and bothered, stumbling to one side, reaching for the top ropes to keep her standing! Luisana WADES in to try and finish her off, big strapping lefts and rights pummel the body, continue to sap her fellow blonde of her energy reserves, till Accola’s head gets blasted upwards and back from a well-placed uppercut to the jawline!! OUCH!! Candice BOUNCES against the ropes before TILTING sideways - AND DOWN SHE GOES with a SPLAT, landing on her side in tatters! It’s the first KNOCKDOWN of the fight and it belongs to Luisana Lopilato! Candice ain’t getting up from that, barely stirring as she rolls over on the canvas, arms and legs pawing outwards, eyes completely shut throughout the entire 10-count! That’s it! The referee’s called for the bell!

Official Decision: Luisana Lopilato defeats Candice Accola via KO5!

AFTER:
“That’s for Kyra, who’s been watching backstage,” Luisana beams with a nod later when she speaks to reporters backstage. “A lot of girls underestimate our Bantamweight division, at their own peril. Look at Emily - she’s challenging for the Bantamweight title tonight, and the rest of us couldn’t be more proud of her. You can be sure Accola will be making a return to VIX soil soon enough - I know Kyra has her number on speed dial.”

***
(Results: Lookout!, Words: Caspian)