BOXING AFTER DARK

Posted by Simguy on 5/1/2002, 6:12 pm.

Before: Williams like other big name lightweights, wanting to keep her name in neon, comes off the hard Halle loss with another exotique in Soto. Talisa outboxed and badly beaten by Garner, but one of the most underrated brunettes out there--experts wonder whether Williams can sustain the sort of pace needed to keep those Latina mitts off her ribcage. Talisa in slicked back battle braid, w piece red aerobic togs, Vanessa in slicked back blonde ponytail, mauve crop top, scoop front and tight baby doll sleeves, bare midriff, scoop bottoms.

During R1: Classy veteran action early--Soto bringing the fight, Williams giving angles, backing off in good order and finding Talisa with the check hook and counter right hand.

R2: Talisa keeps up the pressure with her legs, finally cutting off the ring and getting solid work done each and every minute. Banging Vanessa with lefts and rights in a corner, Soto gets Williams sliding along the ropes--Latina stepping with the pageant princess, batting away to the flanks with either hand. Midway through, Soto staggers Williams with a thumping right to the pit of the stomach, dropping Van’s hands and leaving her helpless to stop a shattering hook on the chin that sits Williams groggy into the ropes. Fight becomes a beating as Soto heaps it on--Williams stupefied from bashing blows to her skull and shoulders as Talisa is able to slug down on her opponent.

R3: Talisa’s been doing well outside, now she takes it inside where most would expect her to dominate and Williams takes over. Vanessa very comfortable in there, cheek to cheek with Talisa, hands relaxed at her stomach, just pushing and positioning Soto with her left shoulder. Vanessa picking up Soto’s belly with the hook, dipping to clip the right uppercut, then nudging the girl back with body weight> Soto competitive, but hitting a lot of forearm and shoulder as Williams shows cute in close.

R4: Role reversal continues as Talisa unpacks the jab, forcing Vanessa to the outside--Williams dropping her left hand, closing her stance, elects to counter as Soto goes to work. Both women scoring, but Talisa the worker--she’s carrying the action, she’s punching to the body and head--Williams patient, backing up, trying to time the right hand onto Soto’s chin.

R5: Talisa jabs Vanessa to the ropes then lands a gorgeous wide left hook across the wait that had Williams groaning forward. All Talisa Soto early as she gets big on Van, banging away with both hands to either side, bodying Williams into the ropes, then leaning onto her back foot to get a compact hook onto Vanessa’s chin. Williams flurrying back late, backs Soto up at the bell--leather flying after the break gets the referee’s attention as tempers flare.

R6: Girls gets after it midring--Williams flat footed, blocking tight, then countering--sharp 2 and 3 punch bursts rip both women in smoking exchanges. Soto’s proving the stronger woman--Williams breaking down in the brutal trade, getting walked back to the ropes and in the final minute--an exhausted Vanessa Williams stops punching. Soto POURING it on, feet wide, lathering away with hard, hard lefts and rights, Williams sleepy as she rolls with punches, bending to the side, leaning into the ropes, but leather is finding her in the body and face. A shattering right hand on the eyes leaves Williams defenceless. Soto gets on that front foot and CRANKS away to the lower left side with monster hooks--WILLIAMS GOES DOWN! Vanessa Williams sobbing, hugging her body on her haunches and it’s OVER! KO6 Talisa Soto!

After: Soto spoils the party with maybe her career best performance, beating the stuffing out if a stiff very dangerous Vanessa Williams. Van just didn’t have any answers, unable to box Talisa outside, unable eventually to stand her ground on the inside--Soto simply getting on top and bludgeoning a legend to set herself up in an increasingly competitive lightweight division.

Reposted by Archer 7/4/10