HBO BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

Posted by Simguy on Sunday, 02-May-99 11:40:46

Before: Surprisingly bitter contest emerges as Lopez makes continual reference to this fight as a chance to “showcase” her skills. Her dismissal of Anderson is not means spirited, but Gillian resent the second class citizen treatment all the same. HBO loves the match up,. Expecting huge numbers and Lopez’ pound-for-pound bantam title hangs in the balance. Jennifer wears red addidas terrycloth trunks and black jog bra, Gillian in teal addidas trunks, white top.

R1: Gillian sullen, bitchy during the staredown, and she comes out smoking this round, bodying up on Jennifer, and beating the Latina at her own game inside. Cheek to cheek, the girls chop short, rising shots into one another’s body, each trying to stay covered, but Anderson finds plenty of Lopez belly meat early, not to mention scoring with slick right uppercut inside. But Lopez makes up for the strong start of Anderson, finally spinning Gillian to the ropes, shouldering her back and ripping to the liver with her bludgeoning left hook, Anderson’s legs lock as she is battered in the final minute, and Lopez goes chest to chest with the hurting Anderson after the bell.

R2: Gritty performance from Gillian this round, as she is still sluggish from Lopez body shots last round. Nevertheless, she brings the fight to Jennifer, climbing back into Lopez trunks and slugging the brunette back to the ropes, Anderson steals the Frazier look to absolutely dominate Jennifer this round, pushing, ripping left hooks to the belly, using her head. Incredibly, Jennifer’s legs start to wobble, and in the final minute Anderson pours it on. She lifts short, tough lefts and rights from underneath into Jen’s chest and chin as Lopez begins to tumble forward. Jennifer hit’s the mat, sitting back on her haunches with a blasted look io her face as Gillian taunts her to rise.

R3: Jennifer’s heart shows this round, as SHE responds well to adversity. Circling and boxing for the first time, she knocks Gillian’s head back with a spanking left jab, then begins putting her punches together, Pounding a round right to the body, Jennifer shows great footwork, stepping right, clipping Anderson with double left hooks. Anderson is overwhelmed, and her defense gets ragged as she tries to clinch. With seconds left in the round, Anderson blunder into a BANG BANG BANG series of lefts an right hooks to the chin, and she comically sags to one knee with a stunned expression,. Lopez hand speed is decisive this round.

R4: More boxing from Lopez as Gillian comes out defensive. Lopez pops jabs to the belly and face, circling counterclockwise, and she hops a hard right hand over Anderson’s left shoulder to bring Gillian’s lead leg off the canvas in reflex, Lopez cruises, content to dominate with speed, and Gillian’s left eye begins to close this round.

R5: Gillian Anderson catches Lopez flat footed to open this round with a pounding Rijker straight right to the solar plexus and LOPEZ IS HURT! Jennifer recoils from the ounch with her lips curling in pain, and Anderson bodies up, Cheek to cheek, shoulder to shoulder, Anderson paints away with consistent chopping motion from both fists, and once again, she hurts Jennifer with short, rising blows from underneath to put the Latina on her knees for the second time in the fight.

Jennifer rises, but is clearly sagging, Anderson wads in, and as the girls lean towards one another, she catches Lopez with a clubbing right hand to the jaw, Lopez is staggery, eyes glassy as Anderson pours it on, A digging left to the liver brings Jennifer’s arms down, and Gillian pounces on the opening with another bashing right to the chin. Jennifer’s head spins, an she topples in slow motion to her face. Gillian Anderson leaps away the surprise victor with ba shocking 5th round stoppage of Jennifer Lopez!

After: Whoops! The determined, never-say-die Gillian had been all but forgotten showed up for this fight, and battled Jen with all the pride and heart in the world. Lopez caught with a serious case of overconfidence is led down the tunnel by a phalanx of her entourage, looking for all the world like Tyson in the aftermath of the Douglas loss as members of the press follow with cameras and tape recorders. Easily one of the biggest upsets of the year.

Reposted by Archer 8/11/10.