Posted by Simguy on 8/24/2008, 9:32 am.

(Natalie Martinez is the only good reason to go see “Death Race”. 2010 Note: She is now a regular on  ABC’s “DETROIT 187”).

Before: Ah, the Miami fight scene. While FCBA sanctioned, these are largely non-televised matches staged by the various nightclubs along South Beach. Instead of having Paris Hilton drop by, clubs will stage celebrity boxing matches--but not just any celebrity boxing match--but not just any celebrity will do. Fighters here tend to be ridiculously hot and exotic--girls as sultry and steamy as a humid Miami night.

There’s no official championship structure, but if there were, Eva Mendes would probably be the acknowledged queen--with pockets of resistance sprinkled throughout  the strip. Martinez is a typical opponent: a hot blooded Latina with maturing skills, a good punch, and a love of crippling body shots as per her Cuban heritage. She’s an underdog to Mendes, but she’s beautiful and has reportedly held her own in sparring with the fearsome Sofia vergara.

Fight is at night, outdoors, amidst a throbbing salsa beat and a pulsing crowd of club goers. Evba sporting a black Calvin Klein (CK being Mendes’ primary sponsor now); black gloves; wild Raquel-Welch-untamed-mane type hair. Martinez in tan western motif bikini with bold brown stitches; black gloves.

During R1: Mendes assuming a Trinidad-type stance: loose-steppin’ widespread feet; dukes relaxed at her chin; limbs and torso limber. Martinez with dukes at her chin, crouching and rotating her torso as she cautiously prowls forward. Mendes’ jab: elastic, springy as it spanks off Natalie’s gloves or forehead. Eva looking to trigger rangy right crosses up top, then come back with vicious, curling hooks--the left hand following through to her right ear as she dials in. Martinez looking to hook from the crouch, ripping at Eva’s proud ribcage, keeping right hand tight to cheek, Nothing conclusive, but Eva’s dictating--circling her foe with rangy pivots, keeping Natalie under wraps and occasionally testing her with something fierce.

R2: Eva continues to dominate territorially--ranging to her left, pounding out stick, cleaning up right hands and hooks. Martinez’ head movement good--she’s not getting rocked, but neither is she able to take the offense. Natalie reduced to sporadic batting of Eva’s ribcage via well-turned hooks: Mendes able to outpunch and control her foe at will, patiently banking touches. Mendes going to Natalie’s body with bandy-armed rights and lefts this round--investing in Martinez’ core for the future.

R3: Future is now for Eva. Midring--she’s on her front (left) foot--hooking and hooking Natalie’s rightside ribs, Nat crouched forward, grunting from the thumping--she can’t get off. Eva fades back a step, drawing Nat tentatively forward. Mendes twitch-feints, then brings a lead right hand, punching Martinez on her mouth, startling her, Natalie staring, stunned: Eva dips her left shoulder, then pop hips-right, arches her back, ripping a concise, jagged left uppercut through to chin. GOOD NIGHT< NATALIE! Martinez clipped--she relaxes out on her feet, then sprawls backward to canvas, jugs a-sloshing to a halt on her KO’d chest. Thunderclap KO3, Eva Mendes.

After: Grinning Eva shows, joining the party, dances the night away. Natalie gets smelling salts  and a limo-ride to her apartment. That’s the Miami Way.

Reposted by Archer 9/29/10.