On Monday was the debut of the latest SSB PPV, which can be found at:
http://members5.boardhost.com/SSB2/msg/1459177167.html. There were so many amazing matches this PPV, but we decided to feature a different writer this month and spotlight an up and coming fighter in Anna Kendrick. You should read the entire PPV and we do have a lot of fun events coming up over the next few days, with a mini-PPV and a Stable War coming up, so feel free to check out the boards. However, as you do, feel free to check out this match and hopefully you enjoy it as a taste of all of the awesomeness that can be seen in the league. This has the initial build-up/hype, as well as the match itself, so take the time to savor this story! The opening stuff gives you some ideas of the characters, personalities and dynamics which inform the bout itself in my opinion. The match itself is for the FCBA (Female Celebrity Boxing Association) Flyweight Title and it is amazing, so check out the awesome writing and feel free to comment with any thoughts, opinions or ideas you might have!
Accidental ChallengeAnna Kendrick walked in the door of her usual coffee shop at her usual time. The barista began to make the usual drink as soon as she caught sight of Anna’s trademark Diamond Boxing Club hoodie. The rigorous training schedule that the flyweight division demanded left Anna with little time for anything not related to her career or her boxing. Her post workout trips to this local coffee house were one of her few indulgences. Anna appreciated the support and relative anonymity the staff and patrons afforded her. In return for their kindness, Anna provided various fight memorabilia and photos from her bouts.
She spied a framed photograph of her most recent knockout victory already prominently displayed behind the register. “Oh! Good shot there! Want me to sign it?” The barista removed the photo from the frame. Anna signed and then kissed the photo with bright red lipstick. While the photo was being reframed, she stealthily placed a generous cash donation into the tip jar.
With her drink in hand, Anna moved to her usual seat and plopped down. Training today had been brutal, but that was the way she and Benny liked it. It had to be hard. It was the only way to prepare her for all the tough competition at the top of the division. Of course, the training burned a tremendous amount of calories, which led to the fringe benefit of Anna being allowed to eat mostly whatever she wanted.
Anna pulled out her phone and scrolled absentmindedly through her twitter feed. For someone as busy as her, twitter and other social media had become the lifeblood of fan engagement. Much of her success she attributed to the people supporting her. And social media offered her a way to give back and interact with the people who cheered for her.
She checked what was trending worldwide:
#DowntonAbbey
#LakersBeatWarriors
#Zootopia
#HudgensVsKendrick
Anna nearly spat out her Grande Orange Mocha Frappuccino.
What?!?! Why was #HudgensVsKendrick trending? As in, a fight against the current flyweight
champion Vanessa Hudgens? Where did this come from? Who could have started this? Anna’s head was spinning with unanswered questions as she stared blankly at the screen. Internally, she couldn’t decide if she was excited or fearful. Was she thrilled or terrified? Affably confused or scared stiff? And was she more concerned if Vanessa Hudgens rejected the social media challenge, or accepted it?
After a moment, she collected herself and her thumbs began to fly. She texted Benny, hoping that he would be able to shine a light on this. He responded instantaneously with “Saw it trending. I’m on it.” She allowed herself a slight smile at the quickness and brevity of the response. Anna silently thanked her lucky stars that she was the sole focus of the Diamond stable.
The speed of social media was lightning fast. People would expect Anna to respond to something as big as this. Benny had told her that she had absolute control over her messaging on social media. His reasoning was that fans loved girls with personality, and Anna should give her fans as much of that as possible. The more relaxed and real she could be in the social media space, the better she could represent the unique qualities that made her the girl and boxer that people had come to like.
So with surprisingly steady hands, Anna tapped out a quick response
@AK47BoxerGirl
You guys made #HudgensVsKendrick trend worldwide? I LOVE you awesome nerds! What do you say, Vanessa? Give the people what they want?
She hit send before she could think about what she just did.
In the stunned silence that followed, the weight of her actions began to press down on her.
Anna Kendrick had just called out the champion.
She quickly walked up to the counter with her barely touched beverage.
“Actually, can I get this to go, today? I need to get back to the gym…”
(Has Anna Kendrick bitten off more than she can chew? And did she even do the biting in the first place? Who started that hashtag anyway? And will Vanessa Hudgens take the challenge seriously? Anna's tweets tend towards the humorous and absurd, maybe Vanessa will think this was a joke too?
So many questions still left to be answered!)
Accidental AcceptanceVanessa Hudgens emerged from the Lookout! Boxing gym, grabbing a water from the refrigerator and toweling off. Nessa adjusted her sports bra a bit, with her jugs still throbbing a bit occasionally from the treatment from Michelle Williams after the last match and Hudgens' face flushed a bit just thinking about it. Psychologically and physically, it still hurt and the pain in her body only served as a reminder of the war she had waged with Mishy. To come so close and than to end the night like that, it wasn't something she wanted to dwell on.
It's not like she necessarily had a choice, however, not in today's social media cycle. HISC and Mishy, it seemed, had conspired with the media to go on a social media offensive. YouTube, Vine, Instagram and one of her favorite refuges, Twitter, had numerous videos, pictures, GIFs and quotes regarding her loss to Michelle Williams. EVERYBODY it seemed had something to say. Vanessa had responded to only a few - like ones from BRUNETTE! Magazine, Jessica Lowndes, Lucy Hale, Hayden Panettiere, Kristen Stewart, Cassie Scerbo and of course, Michelle Williams.
But after that, Nessa had decided to do the impossible and take a break from Twitter. She would let her PR reps handle all of the news and in the meantime, she would regroup, work out harder than ever and she would show the world by defending her flyweight title. The flyweight talent pool was as deep as any in the league and she would have NO shortage of challengers. Taking a huge gulp of the water as she sat down at her laptop to do some research on who she should take on next, she saw the Twitter bookmark on her web browser calling to her. Vanessa wrinkled her nose and decided to give it a try. It had been over a week - surely the media was on to something else by now, right? Right? It was time to see what was going on in the league and in the world on Twitter.
After checking through a few of the top trending topics, Vanessa double-checked that she did have the Downtown Abbey finale set to record on the Lookout! Boxing DVR and then she put The Shannara Chronicles (starring her boyfriend Austin Butler) on in the background, then continued to browse the top trending topics of the day when she came across an unexpected surprise.
#HudgensversusKendrick
Kudos to Anna for her self-control, but Nessa actually did do a double-take and spit up water all over her laptop. Taking her towel, she cleaned it off and then looked over again as fans across social media appeared to be retweeting and supporting a match-up between her and Anna Kendrick. Of course, she was more than familiar with Anna Kendrick and the two of them had actually been friends for a number of years. Recently, they had exchanged a number of kind tweets and DM's regarding Vanessa's performance in the live performance of "Grease.", but this was something altogether different!
Vanessa wondered how in the world this had cropped up in her absence from Twitter and just who exactly was responsible. There would be plenty of time to find that out, but she had PLENTY of suspects - including Anna herself. That girl was a master of self-promotion and had earned herself a reputation, rightfully so, for connecting with the fans. It was part of her personality and one of the things that Nessa truly respected about her.
However, that was not going to get her ANY respect from Nessa in the ring. Vanessa knew she should let her public relations team handle this and that she shouldn't respond at the moment. But, filled with adrenaline from her workout, seeing tweet after tweet about #HudgensvsKendrick and remembering the outcome of her last match, Vanessa wanted to respond now.
Was this a joke from Anna, maybe some kind of match for charity or a stunt of some type? Surely she would NEVER be challenging for the flyweight championship, but there was only one way to find out.
@FittestFlyNessa
Woke up and saw #HudgensvsKendrick trending worldwide? Of course I'd take you on, Anna - is this a match for charity then? Because that is what this would be - charity, right? It's on! #FlyweightChamp #BestBrunette #HudgensversusKendrick
Hudgens hit send and almost regretted it, knowing that come out probably a little harsher than she intended against Kendrick, who was naturally very sweet. However, while Anna had definitely become VERY hot in the league lately, there was NO way that Anna was ready for her. Though, Hudgens did have to admit that she was very impressed with her latest win over Julianne Hough, who was her co-star in the production of "Grease." Of course, Hudgens had managed to steal the show and had dealt with Julianne backstage as well, but Hough had delivered the only KO1 of Hudgens' career. Anna had, in Hudgens' opinion, demolished her.
Vanessa did NOT take that lightly and would not underestimate look forward to taking on Anna to show her that while she could take down Hough, that it was a whole other order of magnitude to take on Vanessa Hudgens. If Anna thought she was prepared in any way for the flyweight fury that was coming her way, she was in for a surprise. But for now, without speaking to Anna, she was ready to just have the whole thing dismissed as a joke and as she went back to the gym, all she could do is laugh about it. But, she was going to train hard regardless - she wouldn't be caught by surprise - if the fans wanted #HudgensvsKendrick, then they would get it and hopefully, Kendrick was ready for what she wished for!
Isn't Anna hilarious?
Champion Vanessa Hudgens vs. Challenger Anna Kendrick(Words: Diamond Boxing Club / Results: Lookout!) Anna: “It was an intense camp. I didn’t do anything but train. That’s what a fight against a girl like Vanessa requires. Absolute and total focus. She’s a great champion, and I’ll need to be at my best on fight night to take her out. That means no distractions. I knew if I poked my head out of the gym, Hudgens would try to mess with it. I can’t let her do that. I’ve lived and breathed Vanessa Hudgens during this fight camp. I know all her moves, all her strengths, all her weaknesses. And unless she’s giving me that total focus in return, I think she’s going to be surprised when the bell rings.”
Vanessa: “It’s hard to hate her.” Vanessa slyly smiles as she takes the podium. “Kendrick said one thing right, I AM a great champion. That means I’m not afraid of any girl who steps in the ring with me. It doesn’t matter how this fight happened. I’ll do my job in the ring and knock this girl out. That’s what champions do. They take the challengers and send them home with a loss.”
Reporter asks a question about the tweet that got the whole ball rolling. Blank stares and suspicious glances ricochet amongst the interested parties. Vanessa finally breaks the awkward silence. “Doesn’t matter how we got here. I was going to knock out the girl coming for my title. It just happens to be Anna Kendrick this time.” Sour look from Kendrick in response. “I win fights. I’m no one’s charity case! And between the two of us, I’m the girl who WON her last fight to earn this shot. How did your last fight end, Vanessa?” The dais explodes into pandemonium as the two fighters have to be separated. Both girls look a bit rattled as they retreat to their locker rooms.
As the fight nears, both girls withdraw into their camps. The social media updates stop completely. Las Vegas is abuzz with all the pre-fight festivities. The large sports books have Vanessa Hudgens as the huge betting favorite. Still, some of the shrewd bettors take the tilted odds to bet on Kendrick. It’s worth the risk as there’s always a puncher’s chance, and Anna has proven her KO power lately.
Anna makes her way to the ring first. Her hood is on with her robe open in the front. She’s looking down at the ground as she enters the ring and hops from foot to foot in her corner. She throws off her robes to reveal a classic royal blue two piece with the DBC logo emblazoned on the left hip. A no-nonsense ponytail on her head. Her face is a mask of concentration as she blocks out the circus happening around her. Total focus is what’s required tonight, and that’s what Anna is bringing to the ring as she waits for the champion.
The lights go out in the arena for a moment… then a spotlight on a hooded figure in red. She’s jogging to the ring with several detours to interact with the crowd. Vanessa is drinking in every drop of the championship atmosphere. She hops up on the ring apron and quickly slips through the ropes. Hudgens tosses off her robe and wows the crowd in a revealing red bikini and the championship belt affixed around her waist. The belt is removed and given to the officials as Vanessa waves a glove across the ring at her opponent. “You can look, but don’t touch! That belt will be back on this waist at the end of the fight!”
Round 1: Hard stares from both girls as they meet at center ring. Anna tepidly holds out her glove, unsure if Vanessa agrees that the fight isn’t personal. Hudgens splits the difference, jabbing Kendrick’s glove quickly before backing off and resetting. A series of jabs fly between the girls with each punch missing the mark. The first one to land is Anna, and she stabs home a jab to Hudgens' cheek. Vanessa responds with a short hook upstairs, but Kendrick sees it coming. Anna steps back to let the glove sail by harmlessly. With Hudgens slightly off balance, Anna rips a quick uppercut to her chest followed by a solid straight right. Both punches land on the fittest fly, and from the looks of it, she felt them! Vanessa executes a tactical retreat, putting her engines in reverse. The girls circle the ring, probing each other’s defenses. In the last minute, Vanessa plants hard and rips a big right hook to the body! The punch gets under Anna’s guard and lands with a thud in her tummy! Kendrick cringes momentarily as the full effect of that detonation resonate within her. Vanessa jumps in to follow up, but she’s met with fierce leather! Anna slugs back with two hooks that rip to Hudgens’ chin! Vanessa forced to cover up as the two beauties fall into a clinch with heads on each other’s shoulders. They struggle to get free but can’t land anything further before the bell. Vanessa takes the chance to whisper, “I know you felt that power. I’m going to hammer that body until you fall.” Anna growls back, “Not if I… I mean… you’re not gonna… I’m...” Hudgens skips away with Anna still searching for a pithy comeback. Kendrick takes the points, but Vanessa clearly wins the mind games in the opening stanza.
Round 2:Watchful observers will note that Anna did have an ice pack where Hudgen’s glove landed at the end of last round. But she looks no worse for wear at the start of the second. It’s Kendrick coming forward again. Her jab a constant nuisance for the champ. Vanessa looking confident even as she cruises backward around the ring. She’s presenting a slick defense and though the odd shot gets through, she’s avoiding any major damage. While the fittest fly COULD do this all day, it seems that her desire to slug gets the better of her. She springs forward, catching Kendrick by surprise! A tight right hook crashes into Anna’s jaw, snapping her head to the side and putting her off balance. Vanessa leaps at the opportunity, digging a heavy body shot into Anna’s right side. The punch lands with a satisfying thud and it’s effects quickly dance across Kendrick’s face. But Anna fires her own combination back towards Vanessa. The left hook is caught on the gloves… but the right uppercut crashes home to Vanessa’s chin! Hudgens is knocked back and woozy, a look of shock on her face as Kendrick looks to pour it on! She’s swarming the champ! Hudgens soaking up the abuse, trying to set her defenses… when she’s hit with a hammering shot that knocks her down. Anna’s eyes go wide.
“Did I really just put down the champ…?”. Vanessa shaking her head as she is splayed out on the ground. She’s up on a knee quickly and showing that she’s not hurt. Kendrick nods her head as Hudgens is waved forward. While she
hoped that punch might have ended it, she knew it would take more than that to stop Vanessa.
Round 3: The knockdown definitely tilts the ring in Anna’s favor. She’s a whirl of sharp jabs and stinging leather as the girls engage. Vanessa is showing the patience of a champion. Her defense is impregnable as she uses her speed and reflexes to pick off most of the heavy artillery headed her way. Even so, a few nice shots get through and they land with a satisfying smack on Vanessa’s cheeks. The blows are clearly felt by the brunette, but she manages to keep fighting forward despite the damage. Hudgens is willing to take the punishment to dish out a bit of her own. Vanessa countering solidly as she romps to Anna’s chest and cheek when she can. As the round comes to a close, Kendrick’s left elbow is tucked in tight to defend her reddened chest and ribs. Vanessa staring at the visible battle damage on her girl and makes a mental note of the harm for future rounds
Round 4: The Diamond corner works quickly to address the battle damage and calm their fighter.
“Don’t go hunting for trouble Anna! Fight YOUR fight!”The message appears the same in the Lookout corner, though the energy level is moving the other way. They want Hudgens to be the aggressor. Get off first and force Anna to deal with HER power! And as the round begins, Vanessa turns bully! Don’t call it a comeback! The champ
storms forward, engulfing the challenger in a non-stop barrage of heavy punching! Anna goes ashen-faced as she feels the champ’s full power and fury! Hudgens is twisting her hips into blasting body shots that cause Anna to squeal from behind a heavy guard. Kendrick looks to clinch to escape the punishment, but Vanessa rockets two big uppercuts into Anna’s chin! Kendrick holds on for dear life as she tries to catch her bearings. Those big punches rocked her and Vanessa knows it! Anna is wobbly butt as her legs struggle to keep her upright! The ref steps in to separate the beauties at the end of the round. But as Anna tries to stumble back and get free, Vanessa steps forward and keeps their foreheads pressed together. Hudgens ignites a hard-hearted stare at the challenger. “I’ll be right here all night, Anna…” Control finally regained as the girls are sent to their corners.
Round 5: Anna getting some much needed TLC as she sits down. She’s breathing deep and focused as her trainers try to calm her down and fill her with confidence. Vanessa looking like a princess viewing an unworthy usurper with disdain. She’s viewing the crowd, glancing across at her opponent, and checking out the ring girl while her corner works. Hudgen’s cool fierce demeanor contrasts sharply with Anna’s plucky determination. Both girls meet uptempo mid-ring. And it’s Hudgens spearing her jab through Anna’s guard. The punches landing hard on Anna, snapping her head back. Kendrick opts to retreat. Vanessa turns on the jets and chases her girl down. Anna’s eyes go wide as she’s trapped against the ropes with the fiery Latina in full fury in front of her! Hudgens starts burying hard shots to the body! And popping her hips into tight, tasty hooks! Anna forced to cover up in that tight earmuff guard. She’s in close, with her head on Vanessa’s shoulder as the hurt comes thick and fast. Anna’s feisty ponytail is rocked back and forth as she sponges up the damage. Each punch is sending shockwaves down her legs as she tries to steady herself against the onslaught. After a solid pounding, the punch rate falls as Hudgens begins to tire… and Kendrick slugs back! Now it’s Anna tucking heavy uppercuts into Vanessa’s breadbasket! Kendrick is scrubbing hard shots into the bra and tummy of the champ, drawing satisfying grunts and gurgles from Vanessa. The ref bravely dives in to separate at the bell. But the girls lean in on each other for a tense moment to steady themselves. That round took a toll on both of them.
Round 6: Quiet plotting in the Diamond corner during the break. They shove the cameras away during the break to have a private moment with their fighter. And at the bell...WHAT’S GOTTEN INTO ANNA KENDRICK!?!?! She’s off her stool like a shot and she is firing at the champ with both barrels! Kendrick punching at all angles, leather landing on Hudgens with satisfying smacks. Vanessa trying to ride it out… but it’s all too much! A left hook buried to the waistline creates the opening and Kendrick slams an uppercut to chin that knocks the champ down! Hudgens splashes down to the mat as the crowd erupts! WHAT is going on here?!?! Vanessa shows her experience, not getting caught up in the moment, taking precious seconds to catch her breath on the mat. She’s rolled over at four… on her knee by seven… and she’s up to beat the count. The ref looks in her eyes and she’s all there. Anna LEAPS on her girl as Hudgens hangs in the ropes. Tight two way trading along the ropes as bombs detonate on both girls. Kendrick hungrily searching for the killing blow slamming her gloves over and over into the champ. Hudgens rides out the fury like the champion she is, catching punches on elbows and bending and tucking into hard shots of her own. Down the stretch, Kendrick is lost in bloodlust. She’s heaving her gloves into Vanessa’s proud chest… and never sees the thunderbolt rocketing towards her chin! Hudgens stands triumphantly against the ropes as Anna’s body locks up and splashes back to the mat! The challenger is down and she is hurt! It’s a shaky rise for Kendrick, barely beating the count with a blank stare. It’s all guts and heart keeping her standing. The ref willing to let it continue with the round almost over.
Round 7: Complete tactical reset from Anna Kendrick. She’s tasted the champ’s power and looks appropriately cautious of a second helping. The challenger is keeping her distance while she gets her legs back underneath her. Anna starts landing that jab, finding the holes in the champ’s armor. Little biting punches keep nipping and snatching at Hudgens’ tummy and cheeks. Vanessa constantly trying to get inside, but each time she’s met with stiff resistance. The girls circle at mid-ring with feisty, up-tempo punching. But it’s clearly Anna landing the cleaner blows. And the champ is starting to puff up around her cheeks as the round draws to a close. Anna bangs her gloves together as she bounces back to her corner. It’s all coming together for her on the biggest stage possible. Hudgens fuming as she stomps home. She will NOT let this charity case take her title!
Round 8: Hudgens closes with lightning speed as the round begins. She smothers Anna back to the ropes before shoving her into the corner. Kendrick shaking her head as this sudden aggression has her flummoxed. But she barely has time to react as the champ flexes her muscles and starts hammering home the hurt! Anna cramping up and tears start to form as the champ feasts on her tummy and chest! Kendrick desperately tries to slide along the ropes to safety. She gets by the champ… but gets caught by a huge left hook! Kendrick caught clean by Vanessa’s power and the challenger crumples to the canvas! Hudgens blows a kiss to Kendrick as she’s starfished on her back. It’s a slow creaky rise for the challenger, but she won’t quit. She’s on autopilot now, her heart just willing her body to answer the challenge. Anna is still wobbly as the ref looks her over. She’s pleading with him to let her keep fighting… She can’t let the dream end like this… And it’s going to continue! Anna only able to muster a weak guard. Her legs are still wobbly… but here comes Vanessa! She’s landing heavy shots as Anna tucks her head on the champ’s shoulder. Anna is hugging her body trying to protect herself and offering single shots to Hudgens’ chest. But it’s not enough, she’s overwhelmed as Vanessa helps herself to every part of the challenger she wants. At the bell, the girls stay tight together. Vanessa plants a kiss on Anna’s forehead. “I’ll end it soon, honey. You fought hard but you know it’s over.” Kendrick shaking her head as she stumbles away.
Round 9: Anna looks spent in her corner. But there’s only two rounds to go, a fact her corner drills into her during the break. Six more minutes. You can do anything for six minutes. Across the ring, Vanessa sports a look of airy superiority. The challenger would be brought to heel soon enough. It’s a credit to the Diamond corner that Anna Kendrick answered the bell for the ninth round. And that she was able to box effectively with the champion is a testament to her heart, guts, skill and will. But the surge is only temporary, and cumulative effects of Vanessa’s punching power begin to slow the challenger. Anna’s legs start to tire. She’s moving slower. Gloves begin to drop. Punch rate starts to slow. Her jaw begins to clench around her mouthpiece. She wants so desperately to keep this up this pace. Keep the champion at bay… But Vanessa sees Anna’s vulnerabilities laid out in front of her. At first, it’s only a hard jab that snaps Kendrick’s head back. Then Vanessa adds stabbing shots to Anna’s chest, spearing the challenger on the end of her glove. Some tidy tummy work follows as Kendrick’s exhausted body caves around the impact of the champ’s punches. Anna’s face is a mask of agony and disappointment. She knows it’s over even as she still stands on her feet. Vanessa mercifully puts her body into one final hook to Kendrick’s chin. The impact spins the challenger down to the mat as the crowd erupts for their once and future champion! Kendrick still struggles on the mat, pushing and kicking to get off the deck. “No… no… I have to… no…” Anna pleads with herself as the count climbs higher. Miraculously, she makes it to hands and knees... but she’s trembling on all fours as the count passes her by! THAT’S IT! Vanessa explodes from the neutral corner to celebrate her victory. Your winner by
KO9 AND STILL CHAMPION… VANESSA HUDGENS!! After: It’s pandemonium in the ring as Vanessa is presented with the championship belt! She’s preening and posing for the cameras as the flashbulbs pop throughout the arena. Hudgens is every bit the reigning champion as the victory seems to make her smile brighter and her skin glow. It’s undeniable that winning looks good on her. She walks the ring apron to interact with her fans and to proclaim her dominance over the flyweight division. Vanessa is pointing out the in crowd reminding the other boxers in attendance that she rules this division with an iron fist!
Anna Kendrick stays on the mat, her whole body shaking on all fours with her head bowed. It’s as if she thinks if she can still rise that somehow the fight won’t be over. As if she can will her KO out of existence. She was SO close… she could almost feel the title around her waist… but then it all went wrong. Her corner lovingly scoops her up and deposits her body safely in the cocoon of the Diamond corner. The DBC team remains on standby to guard against any post-fight shenaxxxxns from Vanessa. But the champ seems too lost in her own little world to be concerned with Anna Kendrick anymore. The Diamond corner gets their girl the care she needs as they begin to move her to the locker room. Someone reminds Anna that tonight’s fight raised a massive sum for her favorite charities. It’s the sole ray of sunshine for Anna on this gloomy night, and it draws the smallest smile from her lips. At least tonight wasn’t a total loss…
