Lopez/Soto II

Posted by Simguy on 11/3/2000, 7:46 am.

Before: Lopez guaranteeing victory: “nobody makes their name on me. Nobody,” Soto’s one-punch KO over Jennifer gives her another lucrative PPV date and the opportunity to establish A- list credentials with another dismissal of the former champ. Lopez susceptible to right hands--has to show the ability to adjust or risk the mind of embarrassment that can really bruise a career. Talisa in slick braid, black sports bra and aerobics briefs—Lopez in tight top knot ponytail, green floral print hipster bikini.

During R1: Jennifer coming forward--that’s the same—but she is trying to fade Talisa’s right hand, keeping that left right in her cheek, Unfortunately for Jen—Talisa has two hands and the left jab smacks sharply off the shoulders and face of Lopez as Soto wheels fluidly to her left, Soto steering Lopez around the ring—Jen ducking in to land the occasional spanking right off the taller Latina’s body, but its Talisa’s round.

R2: Minute of fury from Lopez sees her trap Soto ropeside and go to work on Talisa’s ribs., Soto calm, gloves high, eyes clear throughout as she rolls with incoming, finally sliding effortlessly off the ropes to take the fight midring, Outside—Soto starts to take Lopez apart again—pounding a well-timed jab that seems to catch Jen by surprise, and turning her shoulder into a compact hook to pick Jen up on the way in. Talisa finessing another round--Jen can’t get close enough to work consistently.

R3: Another good opening minute for Jen--but Soto is frustratingly competent, blocking body blows with her elbows, dropping slick counter shots onto Lopez’s ears, and escaping with Houdini-like flourish to start dialing in from outside again, Midway through, Soto luring Jen forward, poking lead rights and straight left hands up the middle—Lopez lunges from too far away and is CRACKED a swatting left hook on the chin that puts her wobbly butt, Soto with her weight on that front foot, grooves sweet left hooks, left uppercuts to the head of Lopez, drawing gasps from the crowd as Jen’s head swivels and jerks on its neck.

R4: Once again, the early press from Lopez amounts to so much sweat for nothing—Soto escaping at will, setting up behind her jab, then breaking Jennifer down with a withering array of combinations as Lopez wades into punishment. Midway through, after lighting Jen up with a series if swatting left hooks and uppercuts, Talisa drives home a short right hand on the button—identical to the punch that stopped Lopez last time out. Jen with the deep knee bend nearly succumbs, but staggers back instead to brace herself at the ropes. Flashy final minute for Soto as she caves in Lopez’s defense with snapping lefts and rights, easily swaying in and out to avoid anything back from Jen, After 4, it’s all Talisa Soto--Jen Lopez lumping up badly and starting to get discouraged.

R5: Same opening as the rest—Lopez bodying up, pushing Soto to the ropes, getting off to the waist, but Talisa calmly defending frustrating Jen with slick D, Jen pressing in with her forearms, droves Talisa deep into the ropes, then pulls out to drift her low with a double pump left hook—Soto groaning, visibly shakers up and Lopez pours into the breach. Heaving Talisa back Lopez pours into the breach. Heaving Talisa back Lopez scores her first meaningful blows to Soto’s beautiful face—Talisa’s head swiveling dangerously, eyes coming back vacant as she starts to swoon, Jen shoving and slugging, sinking her left hook into Soto’s firm belly, then bringing it up top and Talisa goes out on her feet, Ref jumps in as Jen begins to bludgeon her defenseless foe—goes as TKO5 Jennifer Lopez.

After: :Lopez whooping it up afterwards, emphasizing her will to win and crushing hook, downplaying the cheap practice it took to compromise Soto in the first place, Talisa sobbing quietly in her corner—pleading her case to officials who promise to look into things, maybe even set up a committee to investigate. Soon. Really, Bottom line—Jennifer Lopez brawled her girl into submission, turning a landslide Soto decision into a stunning stoppage the way champions are supposed to. Talisa turned in some sweet science while she was around—she’s still only lost one round to Jennifer in 2 fights, but she’s looked a little chinny in all her losses.

Reposted by Archer 6/23/13.