FCBA [licensed for non-commercial use only] (2024)

"Everybody talks about how hard it is to find a good welter," says Jordin with a shake of the head. "Well, here I am. It's about time my phone rings. And, after tonight, it will."

"The only thing that's going to be ringing," says Marie with a smile, "Is her HEAD."

ROUND ONE:

O'Dell: " Back at ringside and that's 'Battlefield' you hear, and here comes the singer of that tune, the lovely Jordin Sparks!"

McCarthy: "NO FCBA wins! Just ONE FCBA fight, and it was here against that FLOP Utgaard! How can Weirdo get away with this? I demand an INVESTIGATION!"

O'Dell (sighing): "Sparks into the ring and helped off with the robe to reveal a deep blue number and a body that's clearly been trained for this one. And, that's 'Fresh Blood' by Eels hammering through the arena, and that means 'The Sexy Sequoia', Marie Temara is on her way to the ring..."

Tess: "Temara's the biggest woman in the FCBA, and she's shown plenty of power in her young career..."

McCarthy: "Fighting TOMATO CANS like Sparks!"

O'Dell: "Marie into the ring and helped off with the robe by Jewel and Neve, and the crowd clearly liking what they see of Marie in that lavender number she likes. Ladies about ready to go. Time for some picks. Tess likes Marie. Mac?"

McCarthy: "NO FCBA wins! Temara!"

O'Dell: "Cassie?"

Cassie: "I agree with Tess!"

O'Dell: "And, we're underway and Marie's wasting no time using that length to her advantage, walking down Jordin behind that left jab. Sparks willing to give ground here. She's not going to stand in front of the 6'2" Marie..."

McCarthy: "Sparks just needs to move a bit, pick a spot. She can beat this big stiff."

O'Dell: "Right now, the singer's having problems staying off square. Marie lining her up with that jab, dropping right hands behind it. Older woman giving ground, keeping the guard high, countering here and there and clearly taking the worst of it."

Tess: "Temara plenty patient."

O'Dell: "Is, indeed. Just working that left, putting together punches, scoring points as the final ten seconds tick away. Good right hand by Marie and there's the bell. Not close in the first. Temara's got the opener going away."

Cassie: "And, she's got the 10-9 lead."

ROUND TWO:

O'Dell: "Sparks showing some movement now. Jordin can move very well, and now she's making use of that, going laterally, giving ground, even slipping forward in spots, all to foul the aim of the younger woman. Marie still working outside with that jab..."

McCarthy: "This is exactly what Jordin needs to do. Just like I said."

Cassie: "Her CORNER also said that between rounds and my guess is, she's listening to THEM and not YOU..."

McCarthy: "You LITTLE..."

O'Dell: "Let's calm down and keep our eyes on the ring, where Sparks slips forward to land a solid combination, then ducks away. Temara not troubled by the punches to this point, but the singer's gotten into the fight..."

Tess: "Definitely scoring points."

O'Dell: "And, seemingly finding some things. We're down to the final twenty seconds of what's been a good, two-way round. Temara a right hand and Sparks lands a nice flurry right at the bell. Very close, but the singer's on the board to even things at 19."

ROUND THREE:

O'Dell: "Sparks getting rolling early in the third. She's moving, slipping, dipping, popping forward to land a combination, ducking away. She's actually going BY Temara on occasion here, slipping past her left shoulder, forcing her to turn..."

McCarthy: "Just like I said. Just like I said."

O'Dell: "Marie remaining patient. She's moving with, looking to work that jab. When she gets it on, she's able to follow on, score points. Problem is, for the last couple of rounds, she hasn't gotten it on consistently enough..."

Cassie: "And Jordin's taking advantage."

O'Dell: "Most certainly is. Fifteen seconds to go in the third stanza, and Sparks has had the better of it in this round. Nice combination, Jordin. Again, Temara not troubled by the punches, but she's getting outpointed. There's the bell. Jordin. Wide."

Tess: "And Sparks goes into the lead 29-28."

ROUND FOUR:

O'Dell: "More foot movement from Marie now. Big girl is very athletic, and she's now working the feet more to square Jordin up. Sparks still making that difficult, moving head, hands, and feet, picking spots to get off in combination...."

Tess: "This has been a very intelligent fight from Jordin."

O'Dell: "Agreed. Sparks can hit, but she doesn't have the power Marie does, and she doesn't want to trade with her. Has to be smart, and she has been. Meanwhile, Temara getting more offense in this round than she has in any round since the first."

McCarthy: "Big stiff. Another Front Street failed welter..."

O'Dell: "Coming down the stretch in the fourth. SHARP exchange there and both brunettes landed their best punches of the fight so far. GOOD right hand by Marie backs Sparks up at step, and there's the bell. Close. Temara."

Cassie: "And, we're even at 38."

ROUND FIVE:

O'Dell: "Fifth begins the way the fourth ended. Lots of movement from the two brunettes. Nice combination, Marie, backs Sparks up a step again. Jordin ducking, slipping forward, landing a good right hand in there..."

Cassie: "Sparks showing plenty of slicks right now."

O'Dell: "Definitely is. Temara landing that long left and then DROPPING SPARKS WITH THE RIGHT HAND! Follow on right from Marie and Jordin is blown to her back that quickly! Temara to a neutral corner. Countg at three. Four. Five. Jordin to her belly at six. Seven. Hands and knees at eight. Nine...Sparks on her feet! Barely beats it."

Tess: "Surprised she got up from that..."

O'Dell: "Referee gives Jordin the mandatory and waves on Temara. Marie loading up the big guns and letting the hands go. She backs Sparks to the ropes and ROCKS HER WITH A RIGHT HAND. Left hook, Temara and Sparks is wobbled and THE REF STEPS IN! It's OVER! And your winner by TKO5 is 'The Sexy Sequoia', Marie Temara!"

McCarthy: "Lucky! I can't wait until Godzilla gets this big stiff..."

AFTER:

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

Tess: "I have our winner, Marie Temara, and, Marie, she made you work for this one..."

Marie (nodding): "Yeah. I heard if from Neve. After that first round, I got too static, wasn't moving the feet. That let her get rolling. But, I got it going and then I got her out of there."

Tess: "So, what's next for you?"

Marie: "What I need is work. I'm ready to get back between the ropes any time management gets something scheduled."