Posted by Simguy on 12/24/2006, 10:07 am.

Before: Jessica out to prove her substance as well as sizzle--HBO delighted with the greenlight on this all-Latina slugfest “it’s tough when you’re the hottest looking girl in the FCBA,” Alba shrugs, matter of fact. “Everyone assumes you’ve been given everything on a silver plate and that you can’t really fight. I can totally fight--I’ve been fighting for years, I’ve won championships and I’m tired of all the crap haters have sprewed about me. I’m going to know Eva out, and when I do, maybe I’ll get some freakin’ respect around here,”

Mendes oozing cool Latin confidence--big white-toothed smiles, confidently waves to assembled media and fans--Eva’s a woman on a mission. “Jessica knows she can’t handle me,” Mendes assures at the podium. “But she also knows she can’t duck me forever. Alba/Mendes is one of the biggest fights in the FCBA--Jess can’t wish that away. Sooner or later I’m putting gloves on her, and there’s not going to be a damn thing she can do about it.”

Jessica in teal bikini top, multi-colored-weave bottoms (“Into The Blue”); slick low ponytail; white gloves. Eva in copper bikini with halter-style top, belted bottoms (thin bronze belt); scruffy puncher’s ponytail; white gloves.

During R1: Similar approaches--both women in wide flat-footed stances, loose at the knee, both bending at the waist and swiveling torsos in supple dips and swerves. Both pulsing a fine, heavy jab off the shoulder, but each also leading an oily lead-right, hoping to set up a curling, sinewy hook to chops. Both lasses face0struck at points, startled if not hurt early--nice rangy action on the loose-limbed thrust-and-parry. Final minute, Eva cutting off the ring--she stoops, stabs an elastic lead right into Jessi’s firm brown midriff--both girls pop hips to torque sinuous hooks, but Mendes wins the race, CONCUSSIVE blast swivels Alba’s pony tailed head--corona of flying sweat shimmering around her skull in the hot overhead lights--crowd roaring to its feet at the shock f the shot--JESSICA GOES DOWN! Alba out on her feet, torso slumping forward as she’s toppling backward--head hit’s the canvas as she sprawl picturesque on her back. Eva snarling, draws a thumb across her throat while shouting down at her KO’d rival: KO1 in spectacular fashion--Eva Mendes.

After: So much for Latina super fight--poor Jessica chokes again as her murderous-punching counterpart finds the off-switch first. Jess brought around in stages--heartbreaking to see her breaking down in woozy disappointment when she realizes she’s given it all up to Eva--Mendes struts out of this fight the pre-eminent Latina at 120.

Reposted by Archer 12/24/10.