FIGHT NIGHT REPORT July 16, 2005 SCOTT "THE SAVAGE SWEDE" OLANDER Champion vs. CHRIS "THE BODY SNATCHER" SWISHER #1 Contender SBA Pittsburgh Chapter #1 Heavyweight Championship

It was worth the wait. A bout that was originally scheduled for May 29th, could not find a home in June, and then was hastily thrown together for a July 16 Saturday night, more than lived up to it's billing and expectations. It was a bout that pitted who many consider the two best "table toppers" of all time, and it did not disappoint.       It was Swisher who jumped out to an early lead, controling the bout with (what else?) her almost unworldly success at working the body and dominating the infighting. But the ever patient Olander, who prides himself on never getting rattled, dominated rounds 5,7 and eight, with the sixth scored even. And yet Swisher clawed her way back, taking the next four rounds and opening a big lead on the scorecards of Judge's Two and Three.       But just as he did in his February bout with Joe "Silky" Simonette, Olander's patience and attention to his opponent paid off. "The Swede" pressed the action, then dropped Swisher, then finished it up with a debilitating body shot. And just like that, Olander retained his title. Despite having only won three rounds up to that point, he once again proved that when you step into the ring with him, its just a matter of time.       This sets up a September rematch with Simonette, who he TKO'd in four rounds in February. "Silky" vows he will give a much better showing of himself, and is confident he can exact revenge on "The Swede". That remains to be seen. But after this performance by Olander, he has his work cut out for him.       For a round-by-round report of the Olander-Swisher bout, click HERE.       What gets interesting here, tabletop wise, is what happens after the Olander-Simonette rematch. Tentatively scheduled bouts for that undercard are #4 Suzy Cupp meeting #5 Becky Gusky, and #3 Don Waxter taking on hard charging DJ McKellar, who grabbed the #6 spot with an impressive performance against Alan Corrado. The winners of those bouts will almost certainly be in line to be selected by the Olander-Simonette winner for a December hook up. And then again, perhaps "Sugar" Roy Clover could be tempted to reclaim, or perhaps reassert, his former tabletop dominance. And then there are those on the horizon, such as Jan "Big Cat" Underwood, Mary Ann "The Mirage" Meunz, and the "Irish Nightingale", Chris Allen, who could, with a few wins, thrust themselves into title contention.       Until the next time, I would like to state that this reporter is still undeniably adorable and incredibly witty. But I state the obvious ...

UNDERCARD

"Mad Max" (left), and "The Answer" shake hands before their bout ...

DJ "MAD MAX" McKELLAR vs. ALAN "THE ANSWER" CORRADO Relative newcomer McKellar, who cut his tabletop teeth at the "PAA", surprised veteran of "Bob's Game Room" Corrado with his steady peformance that earned him the sixth spot in the latest SBA Ratings. Winner: McKELLAR TKO at 1:32 of Round Seven.

... and then it's all business as hostilities begin in "The Pit"!

	PHOTO GALLERY

"The Swede", the "Irish Nightingale" and the "Night Train" enjoying a pre-fight beverage ... Newcomers "The Mirage" and the "Beastmaster" square off "The Answer" engages in a bit of pre-fight exhortations in an attempt to fire up "The Swede" ...

... as the Peanut Gallery assumes their positions ... Terry "Little Red" Cupp, left, with tabletop protoge Ronnie "The Rage" Rizzo ... then examines Swisher's drink to see if it contains a "special mix" ...

... while brother Terry, sister Suzy, daughter Keely and fifth sister Chris enjoy the calm before the storm. Olander and Simonette already setting the stage for their September rematch ... who then asks her cornerperson "The Punkinator" to keep an eye on Corrado.