Natalie Portman vs. Isabela Moner

(HISC vs GBS)

Results: Lookout!; Story: Front Street

BEFORE:

It wouldn't have been long ago when this fight would be seen as an HISC pruning mission, with Queen Natalie sent to chop off a potential rising star at the stem. But, it's much too late for that. Moner's already pushed into the top ten with impressive win after impressive win. Now, it's a matchup of two top flys coming off tough losses and looking to work their way back into the title picture. And, it's clear the younger woman isn't at all taken aback by facing a Hall of Famer. "Oh, she's a top contender for sure," says the Latinex beauty. "But, I've beaten girls who are every bit as good as Natalie, so I have no doubts about the result tonight."

"Tonight's result," says a hard-eyed Portman, "Will be me beating down yet another Nickelodeon brat. When will they learn?"

ROUND ONE:

Moner on the move immediately. Isabella's got the wheels, and she's using them. She's going to make the Hall of Famer chase. But, Natalie's too smart for that. The veteran brunette stalks patiently, cutting the ring and then letting the hands go. Isabella quickly gets out of Dodge, but, Portman simply cuts her off again and lands another sharp combination. Isabela ties up, slips away, only to be run to ground yet again. The fight plan is not working. Moner can't find open space, can't put her speed and quickness to use. Instead, Portman traps her again and again and gets her box on. And, you are NOT outboxing Natalie Portman, especially when she has the geometry she wants. And, she has it. For the entire first round. It's a pretty one-sided shellacking that gives Natalie the first wide and a 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

Isabela figures this out. She's giving ground now, reversing field, circling wider, bouncing, jabbing, doing everything she can to remain in open canvas, and, for the most part, it works. Now, Natalie can't bring the younger woman to battle. Instead, it's Moner calling the tune, circling, jabbing, stopping to pop, then getting moving again before the Queen can come up with a snappy rejoinder. The Latinex beauty is here, there, everywhere, and nowhere Portman can find her. By late in the round, Natalie's actually showing a little frustration, as her face is getting powdered regularly and she's not able to do much about it. Final seconds see a great flurry from Moner that forces Portman to cover up yet again. At the bell, there's no question about it. Moner's take it wide and evened things at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Moner rolling. She's getting what she wants, and Portman can't seem to do much about it. Natalie's efforts to cut the ring and bring the younger brunette to battle are coming to nothing. She can't find Isabela. But, Moner can find Portman...any time she wants. She simply stops, pops, lands some solid shot, then dances away before the older brunette can do any damage. More frustration on Portman's lovely face, but, Natalie not going to get sloppy here. She's too smart and experienced for that. Instead, she keeps working, keeps moving the feet, doing everything she can to run Isabela to ground. But, mostly, she simply can't do it. The younger, quicker brunette continues calling the tune right to the bell, and, when it rings, it's a third straight no-doubt round, this time for Moner, who pulls into a 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

More of the same, Moner on the move and Portman working very hard to slow her down. But, again, the older brunette can't get it done. Isabela continues to find ways to remain in open ocean as she peppers Natalie with jabs to the face and quick, well-timed flurries that allow her to escape most of what the Queen attempts in counter. About midway through the round, though, Portman begins to get the geometry down again. She's coming forward more now, being more aggressive in her stalking, cutting down the angles, and that makes it easier for her to corral Isabela. Moner responds by committing more on her punches, making Portman pay a price for the forward motion, but Natalie's willing, because, now she's able to get to her spots and score. At the bell, it's still Moner's round, but closer this time. And, on the cards, the younger brunette leads 39-37.

ROUND FIVE:

Natalie coming forward, cutting the ring aggressively. She's taking some sharp leather for her troubles, but she's giving as good as she gets and more. LOTS of heavy shot flying, but, we're not getting into brawl territory. Not with a slick boxer like Portman. No, this is good technical stuff, punches out and back quickly, head and feet moving, finding or creating openings in the defense and then filling them with leather. It's textbook stuff, and Isabela's mostly being taken to school. She's not loving the static battles being created by Portman's footwork. Cut off from the open canvas and her bouncing, circling offense, Moner's not nearly as effective. As a result, when the bell rings, it's not close, for the fourth time in five rounds. But, this time, it's Portman who's taken it wide and cut Isabela's lead to 48-47.

ROUND SIX:

Portman dialing up the aggression even more. She's cutting, getting off in combination, stopping Moner's efforts to slip away back to open canvas. Isabela starts clunching, trying to force breaks, but Portman too smart for that, she shrugs or punches free, steps back out to the middle distances she wants, gets back to work outboxing the younger brunette. Now, it's Moner who's getting frustrated, unable to get the terms she wants and taking a beating as a result. BOOM! Right hand, PORTMAN! Moner wobbles and the Queen is all in, winging away with both hands, sending Isabela reeling backward and then DROPPING her with a left hook! Portman raises the arms in triumph as she heads to a neutral corner. Isabela down on her back, staring wide eyed at the ref. She makes a couple of attempts to rise, but can get no further than all fours. It's OVER! And your winner by KO6 is Natalie Portman!

AFTER:

The Queen all smiles in the post-fight. "For those who believe that I cannot reestablish the Pax Portmanica, allow me to disabuse you of that notion. I'm still the very best this division has to offer, and, if you don't believe that, just ask the Nickelodeon brat I left on the canvas."