Poster Courtesy of BI PHOTO LAB

Unified Flyweight Title

Posted by Simguy on 5/17/2003, 8:08 am.

Before: Salma acting as the de facto champion in postfight--heavy dose of Latina confidence as Hayek promises Portman won’t go the distance. Portman with the tools to give Salma problems, but you’ve got to hurt Hayek repeatedly to get her to back off--Nat’s got to gamble to do that. Mish Williams commentating on the bout: “Portman can’t handle real, sustained pressure--it’s the reason why she wouldn’t give me a rematch. I don’t know if Hayek can bring Mish Williams style heat for a full dime any more--it’s really a toss up. You’ve got two girls who are almost good enough to beat the other--which is pretty sad for a title fight.” Hayek in black leather bikini, white gloves and shoes, slick ponytail-Portman in white sports bra, high waist white aerobics trunks, white shoes and gloves, hair in long battle braid.

During R1: Pressure from Hayek--defense from Portman. Natalie using her legs, turning at the ropes to keep her back clear, but she’s not punching--Salma the clear aggressor just by coming forward and making the fight.

R2: Portman jabbing now, stepping out and to the right--she walks Salma early on into a hesitation right hand on the mouth that brings a shout from the crowd, stop Hayek momentarily in her tracks, nice brisk flurry about the head/shoulders from Portman to consolidate--she steps around her jab, looking for more right hands. Second minute--Portman too greedy--she’s trading shots simultaneously with Hayek--both shoot rights, come back with left hooks on the chin and PORTMAN’S HURT! Natalie stomping back on her heels, immediately ducks, slips to her left--rest of the round is Salma swinging over the top--Portman running the clock.

R3: Nat stung Salma last round, but paid the price--Portman stays well away this round as Hayek walks her down., Salma growing in confidence, smug Latina smile on her face as she stalks Natalie to the corners--Hayek ducking into a crouch and pulling haymakers to Portman’s tender ribs to put some mileage on those legs. Nat jabbing infrequently, occasionally brushing a shoe-shining combo--Hayek walking through it with complete disdain.

R4: Natalie finally gets it right--she’s elusive, but picking her spots to bite back. Nat spitting the jab, doubling it up--often getting Hayek frozen, arms crossed as she blocks stick--Portman can stamp home accurate straight rights to face and chest. Hayek catching clean, unfazed, but blows around her eyes are lumping up the tissue. Natalie stepping right or left, giving Hayek some shoulder feints, loosening up a bit--champ’s fighting her fight at last.

R5: Portman’s got it going now. Jabs pepper Hayek’s shoulder and head, covering Natalie’s lateral movement. Portman stopping, popping right hands, really placing the shots, then bobbing her head--Hayek’s missing a lot of angry receipts over top. Nat also starting to get after the Hayek ribcage--pesky hooks nibbling in behind the elbow as Salma leans forward, arms crossed--she’s giving up a lot of coastline for Portman to target.

R6: Hayek ups the tempo--finally muscling Natalie in disarray to the ropes. Salma in her element, weight forward, rough with her shoulders and elbows, constantly nudging and touching up on Portman to prep her for punches. Hayek with singing, heavy-handed body work to either side, bringing a grimace to Natalie’s lips--Latina thumping away wide, ignoring Portman’s head for the nonce. Portman suffering, but finally spinning out of trouble in the last minute--she wisely legs out the round rather than trying to even the score--Hayek hands down, walking brazenly after her opponent to the bell.

R7: Hayek getting her head under Portman’s left arm, wraps up and tackles Nat to the ropes, then comes up swinging. Nat flinching from vicious work to her ribs--she’s trying to toe Salma up, but Latina won’t be smothered. Furious slugging from Hayek, totally reckless, but she’s got the hook clean to Natalie’s liver, clubbing right hands on  the jaw--Portman’s not answering back! Natalie getting rag dolled--punches overloading her system--she tries a weak right uppercut in between Mexican punches, turns it over into a swatting straight right and TAKES A HUGE RIGHT HAND ON THE CHIN! Head swivel, Portman--she’s limp, out on he her feet and THE PUNCHES KEEP COMIN! Hayek seeing a defenseless opponent on the ropes--it’s like red flag to a murderous bull--she SHOVELS on the punishment! Crowd screaming--Portman’s head belted back and around as she slumps sideways into the corner--Hayek FINALLY pulled off by a mesmerized ref. Brutal KO7 Salma Hayek leaves Natalie out on her haunches in a lonely corner.

After: Portman entered arguably the most dominant champ in boxing--she goes out in a hail of gunfire as Salma Hayek reclaims the throne. Emotional tears from Salma as she is hoisted on the shoulders of her corner men, belts around her shoulders--it’s been a long, hard road for the deserving Latina. “I am so happy,” Salma says, wiping her eyes. “So many people said I could not win another championship, but here I am!” Mishy Williams unimpressed, “Hey--good move for Hayek, She saw a soft champion and she pounced--I’d have done the same thing except I didn’t look vulnerable enough for Natalie. Hayek’s for real though. Limited, but real--we’ll see what happens.”

Reposted by Archer 6/7/11.