Post by Lookout! Boxing on Mar 31, 2017 at 11:30am

MILENA GOVICH (40 y/o, 5 ft 9, W: 9, L: 12) vs MOON BLOODGOOD (41 y/o, 5 ft 8, W: 15, L: 12)

(Words: Bonzo / Results: Lookout!)

Before: Govich, coming off an important win against Krsmanovic (her first since 2012 after a seven fight losing streak) is now obviously looking to return to the division’s elite against the odds. In Moon Bloodgood she’ll meet the woman who once ended Milena’s dreamlike ascent to the division’s throne with a title fight KO in 2013. Both women are past 40 and feel the pressure from the younger supermodel generation sweeping the division last year – both make it clear that before setting their sights on the Klosses and Rhodas of the league, they’ve got to deal with the other first. “Both of us have sometimes called journeywomen, you know, we were pretty unexpected champions, and, I guess, we’ve both been overshadowed at times by our teammates, Bridget and Amanda”, Moon (who was last seen in the ring losing to Kesha) explains, “But once the excitement level for the new girls fizzles out a bit, our time will return. I mean, look at us,” she smiles, pointing to Milena’s body, then to her own, “Do we look washed-up, do we look flabby, out of shape? I really think we don’t”, she laughs. Milena joins her sentiment, “It’s been easy to write us off. But of course, we are also pretty similar types of fighters. And as much as I respect Moon, it’s unlikely both of us will be able to return to the top. I just hope I’ll be the one.”

Fight: R1: Girls struggle, tussle for position…explosive, strong-legged, sturdy action….it’s a point of pride to drive the other girl backwards…leads to meaty, thick punchin’ all round long. Bloodgood the more mobile fighter soon, working from a bendier torso, sloshin’ the jab, tap-tap-tap, to target – Govich waits behind her guard, observant, looking strong during body-to-body clinches, but heavier, sluggish when in motion. Moon makes good use of her legginess…she’s increasingly commanding the middle of the ring via her legs, stuttering that left hand to Milena’s stubborn, icy face in strong, confident fashion. Govich forces some massive clinches to the body later, but she’s mostly stompin’ by the ropes, maulin’ that right hand into the fray…but she’s getting out-worked by Moon’s left, out-circled by Moon’s legs in the first round.

R2: Similar styles emerge, but Govich gets pushier, aggressive…she’s pulling her right hand inside from wide, vast angles, choppin’ it to Moon’s head/skull/cheeks, her punches sending thudding shudders down Bloodgood’s spine/body. Bloodgood’s still springy, elastic, though…she has to allow Govich to march forward, press, press, press in on her, but she’s still taking side-steps, ducking the sledges, but getting used up a bit inside, where Milena looks strong, sturdy against Moon’s more slender form. Action slows down later…when Moon clocks her foe gritty short-lefts to the chin/cheek in the third min, she’s finally easing the pressure. Milena’s round close…visibly, one of her early rights has opened a little cut beneath Bloodgood’s hairline.

R3: Govich proves a jabber…she’s upping the effort, turns leggy, outpunching Moon in early yanking, overhead exchanges. Bloodgood on the retreat soon, more erect, countering short, lanky lefts thru the middle, but Milena powers thru ‘em, sloshin’ her heavy rights, but Bloodgood’s mostly secure behind her guard. Second minute: Govich’s jabs start working the Bloodgood gut/torso/flanks with more dedication…one particular body shot has Moon grunting on receipt as she leans her body away with a groan. Milena snarls, steps-to: she’s burying more chop-chop straight-lefts in Moon’s side, then pulls up a right hand…SWIPING it to the side of Moon’s chin! Bloodgood’s rattled yet hangs on in there, tough...she’s bobbin’ to the ropes, tryin’ to create a safer range. All Govich in the third minute…she’s working the gut from strong, mid-distance range via lanky hooks, keeping Moon’s guard busy via her lefts to face, more or less taking Bloodgood’s legs out of the game now.

R4: Bloodgood rallies as corner reads her the riot act...now’s her turn for more assertive aggression…her jabs knock at Milena’s skull, as the bigger Govich has trouble leanin’, steppin’ out of harm’s range in time…and Moon’s rolling ‘em home now! Best look for Bloodgood yet, from early on…she’s working from a little crouch, her eyes hardening into determination as she twists, bends her left-hand forward, finally getting traction there. Govich clearly startled by some of the early hits, stomps, bounces backwards, getting foxed into rope-side positions as the round draws longer, punched out of her stance, out of her comfort zone. Bloodgood settles in for her first dominant phase…she’s waiting out Milena’s forced, heavy clinches patiently, immediately asserting control herself via the jab when separated. Plop, plop, plop go the punches…and Bloodgood’s punchin’ her girl into a daze! Govich: she’s rocked, her legs bending through more and more…she’s pulling away from the harm, not managing Bloodgood’s tempo well. Scene from the third minute: Milena’s dukes-up behind her tight, tested guard, her wide back leaning into ropes…Moon in front of her foe, crouchin’ on her bouncy legs, twisting the torso to vary her targets…she’s tappin’ her left to Milena’s mouth/nose/chin, tap-tap-tap. Big girl Govich grows stiff, numbed by the poke, her eyes dizzy…at the bell, she’s a disheveled beauty, her face dotted with the little cuts where Bloodgood’s picked her up. Bloodgood with a wry smile there as they separate…she’s just started the difficult job of getting her big, strong foe to tumble, but she’s looking very determined.

R5: Govich sluggish…Bloodgood’s whirlwind offense has reduced her a bit…she tries to use her body to ease the pressure, forcing more ponderous clinches, setting her thickness against Moon’s leaner, slimmer torso. Bloodgood still very patient, in control – when Milena stays in earmuff inside, Moon can get to work, alternating rippin’ punches into Govich’s flanks, punishing her via liver/mid-section shots, rocking Milena’s guard/skull with detonating rights, rhythmic lefts. Scene from early second minute: Bloodgood’s on top at ropes, pushin’, pushin’ with her arms/elbows, buryin’ more thick hooks in the Govich gut…suddenly, Milena reacts, drawing a short-distance, straight-arm left inside when Bloodgood’s prepping a sideway hook…and oh, she catches Moon clean, the short drifting punch ROLLING onto her foe’s jawline in smooth fashion! What the…Moon’s eyes roll back on impact, as she folds up, her torso collapsing…she nose-dives in front of her foe…thuddin’ down hard and there she is, lying prostrate, motionless in an instant! Govich still so ICY, calm: she raises her arm, nods her head in self approval…she’s just finished Moon in shock-and-awe fashion, KO5 Milena Govich!

After: Overlooked former welter champs slugging it out…it’s Govich who gets the last laugh, once again proving herself as a very dangerous one-punch fighter, finishing her foe in come-from-behind fashion just as Bloodgood started to settle in for control. “It’s not my plan to become a one-punch artist, you know, but as I still try to get back from the doldrums, I’ll happily take that,” Milena smiles, “It’s an incredible feeling to know that you can punch out a girl like that even when she’s on top, layin’ it on you, that’s for sure. I already feel reinvigorated and girls underrate me at their freakin’ peril, that’s all I will say,” she stresses, clearly relieved. Meanwhile, Bloodgood’s still clearly in shock…the stunning loss puts her into a pretty big hole right now.