BEFORE:

"I keep hearing," says Kathryn with a smile, "About how she's undefeated since coming to Front Street. Well. You know who's undefeated in the FCBA, PERIOD? ME. And, that's not going to change tonight."

"Frankly," says Sophie with a nod, "I'm surprised she hasn't gotten more work around here. She's good. But, tonight, she won't be good ENOUGH."

ROUND ONE:

O'Dell: "Back at ringside and that's 'Breathless' by Jerry Lee Lewis you hear behind us, and here comes blonde beauty Kathryn Newton..."

Cassie: "What are you sitting on, Mac?"

McCarthy: "A CHAIR!"

Cassie: "And, what's that contraption you brought out here and loaded onto the chair..."

Tess: "That would be an orthopedic donut...to protect her sore...um...nether regions..."

McCarthy: "IT is...I...YOU...SHUT UP, BOTH OF YOU!"

O'Dell: "Drink up, boys! Kathryn into the ring and helped off with the robe to reveal a white number and a well-toned body, and that's 'Hotter Than Hell' by Dua Lipa pounding through the arena, and here comes 'Sultry' Sophie Mudd!"

Cassie: "And, as Kathryn herself pointed out, Sophie is undefeated since coming to Front Street in 2020. And, with major changes coming around here before the end of the year, she's going to want to stay that way tonight."

O'Dell: "Mudd into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve and the crowd popping as always for Sophie in that Egyptian blue number..."

McCarthy: "Over. Rated."

O'Dell: "Ladies about ready. Time for some picks. Tess likes Sophie. Mac?"

McCarthy: "This girl is no tomato can. Newton."

O'Dell: "Cassie?"

Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"

O'Dell: "First fight and our first split panel. And the blonde on the move in the first. We've seen some different tactics used by Newton in her brief career, and she's shown she can use the legs, but Mudd's seen this movie before. She quickly cuts the ring and brings the blonde to battle..."

Cassie: "Not many bantams want to exchange with Sophie..."

O'Dell: "I'd think not, but that's exactly what Kathryn's being forced to do here, as Mudd crowds, bangs, works body, and makes the blonde very, very uncomfortable. Newton being backed up repeatedly here, as Sophie digs body, then goes to the head before going back downstairs..."

Tess: "Newton needs to figure out a way to get some space..."

O'Dell: "No doubt about it, but, right now, she's getting none. Instead, the brunette is landing hard shot to both head and body, keeping the blonde on the defensive. Just ten seconds to go in the first. GOOD right hand from Mudd snaps Newton's head back, and there's the bell. Sophie. Wide."

McCarthy: "And, she's got the 10-9 lead. But, it's early."

ROUND TWO:

O'Dell: "Newton angling now as we start the second. She's not going to try to make Mudd chase, because Sophie put a quick stop to that in the first. Now, she's playing the geometry, moving feet, hands, head, and having some success doing it. Blonde getting off in combination now..."

McCarthy: "This is all the kid needs to do. She'll be 3-0 and this Dancing Hooker will be on the way out, and, if Newton is smart, she WON'T take any calls from Skid Row Boxing!"

O'Dell: "Sophie a nice left-right and Kathyrn bangs back with a combination of her own. Newton's getting some space now, able to hold canvas as the brunette looks to line her up, but finds that a lot harder to do in the second stanza. GOOD exchange there, with both fighters landing hard shot."

Tess: "I can see why Newton's won some fights. She's got good hands and feet and she's not afraid to punch."

O'Dell: "Final thirty seconds of what's been a good, two-way first round. Newton slips a right hand, counters with a good combination. Mudd digs some body, then goes upstairs with a good right hook. Kathryn circles, jabs, and that will take us to the bell. Close. Newton."

Cassie: "And, we're even at 19."

ROUND THREE:

O'Dell: "Third begins the way the second ended. Newton making with the jab, moving the hands and feet, playing the angles. Mudd looking to square. When she can, she wastes no time, getting off quickly with both hands. But Kathryn having plenty of success playing the angles and doing some scoring of her own."

Cassie: "Got to like what you're seeing from Newton..."

O'Dell: "Definitely makes you wonder why she hasn't gotten any opportunities since debuting with two nice wins in 2019. Good right hand from Mudd and Newton fires back with a solid combination and SOPHIE BLASTS HER WITH A LEFT HOOK AND DROPS HER WITH A RIGHT HAND!"

Tess: "Those were right on the BUTTON."

O'Dell: "Mudd quickly to a neutral corner. Newton flat on her back, eyes closed, not moving at all. Referee's count at three. Four. Five. This is going to be academic. Kathryn is down and OUT. Seven. Eight. Nine. TEN! It's OVER! That quickly, it's OVER! And your winner by KO3 is 'Sultry' Sophie Mudd!"

McCarthy: "Lucky!"

AFTER:

O'Dell: "Let's go up to the ring and Tess Valmore!"

Tess: "I have our winner, Sophie Mudd, and, Sophie, that last combination..."

Sophie (smiling): "Yeah. I caught her and I made no mistake. This girl can fight, so, when you get a chance to take her out of there, you need to do that. I did."

Tess: "Lot of talk around here about what the future holds..."

Sophie: "I'm ready for that. Whatever management wants to do, I'm ready. Because, I've proven over and over again that I belong here. And, I'm going to BE here in January. Count on it."