Kira Kosarin vs. Priyanka Chopra (Ice Hotel Semi-Finals) (Results: Lookout. Words: Wiz)

BEFORE:

Princess of the Ice Hotel comes down to a Final Four made up of some of the best girls under 120 in the FCBA. And, there's little doubt this bout features two of the most physical, Kosarin, already a lineal champ at 24, and Chopra, who's been close enough to taste gold but has never yet managed to claim it. That, however, is about to change, if Priyanka is correct in her predictions. "This tournament", says the Indian beauty, "Is proceeding just as I expected when I saw the brackets. I always knew Kira and I were destined for our fourth meeting in this round. And, once I dispatch her? The Ice Hotel is MINE."

"What Priyanka forgets," says Kira with a smile, "Is that ONE of us is two-for-three in our series. And the other one is HER."

ROUND ONE:

Chopra forward early. Big Choppy, as usual, wants to bring the physical. She's moving in behind that jab, looking to bring the power to bear and BOOM! A right hand from Kira changes that equation immediately! Big Choppy all wobbly but and Kira ALL IN. Kosarin, perhaps, thinking of the advantage of getting this one over early and saving a little more for the final. She's winging away with both hands, driving the older brunette into the ropes. Chopra's got the body on sale, but it's NO sale. Kosarin's all about the upstairs, looking for a shocking first round finisher. But, the slick older woman denies her. Chopra plays great D, rides out the assault, shakes the worst of the damage, begins firing back on even terms late. When the bell rings, however, it's Kira wide as Kosarin claims the 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Priyanka more reserved now. She's still working the left handed poke, stepping to, looking to score with power blows, but she's not pressing the issue nearly as much as she did early in the first. She's cool with ranged boxing in spots, and Kosarin is as well. Holding back on some of that trade mark aggression, boxing with, but, like Chopra, looking to use the left to set up power shots that have the capability of changing that equation once again. Things proceed on fairly even terms as the round goes on, with both brunettes scoring well and neither able to gain an advantage. A late flurry from Kira is answered with a SHARP right from Chopra that backs up the younger woman, and Priyanka quickly follows with a pair of nice combinations that take us to the bell. When it rings, it's close, but it's Priyanka, and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Chopra takes over early. Is Kira a little buzzed from that right hand late in the second? Could be, but, for whatever reason, the Indian beauty puts Kosarin on the back foot and keeps her there, running combination after combination at her and suppressing the younger woman's offense almost completely in spots. Kosarin's corner shouting at their girl to move her feet, get off, but, while she's working to do the former, she can't do much of the latter. Priyanka has the range and she's getting hard shot on target again and again. Late in the round, Kira gets a little something going, landing a couple of power shots and getting back to even terms, but, it's far too little, far too late. When the bell rings, there's no doubt about it in the third. It's Big Choppy wide and with the 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

BOOM! Boom? BOOM! Right off the bell, RIGHT HAND, KIRA! And Chopra is GOBSMACKED! THERE'S the power shot the younger brunette's been looking for and now she's all OVER the Indian beauty! Priyanka driven back into the ropes for the second time tonight, and, this time? Kosarin buying body in BULK. She's punishing ribs and midsection, going upstairs, then back down, over and over again. Chopra jabbing back here and there, clinching, doing everything she can to slow Kosarin down and keep the ref at bay, all while trying to ride out Hurricane Kira for the second time in the bout. And, while it's a near thing, Big Choppy manages it. Kosarin bangs away to the bell, but, when it rings, Chopra is still standing. It's a shutout for Kosarin, though, and the younger brunette evens things at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Kosarin forward early, backing up Chopra with heavy shot, but, about forty seconds in, Priyanka's giving as good as she gets, and Kira stops damning torpedoes. Result is good, two-way stuff. Both fighters still looking to bring the physical, mind. Both still using that left to set up power shots. But, it's back-and-forth now, with Chopra on the offensive here, and Kira putting punches together there. Much of the action takes place near the middle of the ring, as both fighters move effectively, defend effectively, and punch effectively. If anyone needs a demonstration of why these two brunettes are at the top of the division, well. This round is it. It's excellent stuff from both fighters, and, when the bell rings, there's not much in it, but there's enough. Kira's taken the round and the lead 48-47 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Sixth begins the way the fifth ended, with good, two-way action. Both fighters remain aggressive. Both work hard to create openings and fill them with hard, sharp leather, and both have a measure of success doing it. Once again, there's nothing much in it until...BOOM! Right hand, Priyanka and DOWN GOES KIRA! Out of seemingly nowhere, the Indian beauty lands a, well, beauty and Kosarin is dropped to her backside! Priyanka to a neutral corner as the ref counts down on Kira. Kosarin to her feet at eight. Ref gives her the mandatory and waves on Big Choppy. Priyanka goes all in, forcing Kira back against the cables in an effective effort to finish. Vain. But effective. Kosarin hangs on to the bell, but, when it rings, Priyanka's taken it 10-8 and moves into the head, 57-56.

ROUND SEVEN:

Big Choppy now the one looking to finish. She's walking Kira down behind the left jab, making with hard right hands behind it. Kosarin unsteady, trying to manage, firing back in spots, but can't hold canvas. Indian beauty clinically effective, landing solid punches in bunches, piling up points and punishment as she cleans up while looking to end this thing. BOOM! Right hand, BIG CHOPPY! Kira stumbles and is DROPPED BY A LEFT HOOK! Kosarin on her back in the middle of the ring as Chopra goes to a neutral corner. Ref counting down on Kira who makes an effort to rise, only to crumple, face first, to the canvas and it's OVER! Kosarin can't beat the count and it's OVER! And your winner by KO7 in one heck of a fight and your first finalist is Priyanka Chopra!

AFTER:

Big Choppy scuffed in a major way, but she manages a stunning smile. "It's just like a told you. Kira was the big hurdle. I knew it would come to this, and I knew I'd beat her. The result of the other semi-final doesn't matter. You're LOOKING at the first Princess of the Ice Hotel!"