Posted by Simguy on 3/20/2007, 7:35 pm.

Before: “I feel that Rachel and I are the two best, most complete fighters in the division,” Jennifer allows in prefight. “That’s why it’s so important for me to beat her. People need to know that one girl rules—whenever there’s doubt in the minds of fans and in the minds of other fighters-it’s a problem. After this fight, there won’t be any doubt at all as to which of us is superior.: McAdams nodding seriously throughout—she recognizes the growing importance of this match up going forward. “It’s just one fight,” Rachel says, “and yet it’s so much more than that. There’s tremendous scrutiny on Jennifer—because she is getting so much more than that. There’s tremendous scrutiny on Jennifer—because she is getting older, because she has been so good for so long—everyone’s wondering if I’m going to be the one to knock her down a peg. So I know that’s what these fights are really about, and I know JEN knows-=-so she’s going to be extra determined to turn me back. It’s a great event—this is what boxing’s all about, and I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.” White string bikini, Jen—white gloves—white neoprene ankle socks/slippers. Rachel in sport cut Maple-Leaf motif top, solid red boy cut trunks; white/red boxing boot to midcalf; red gloves, white knuckle bars.

During R1: Sharp, smart boxing—Jen chipping away behind her jab, circling Rache, probing for weakness, McAdams dukes up, parrying shots, slight crouching stance. Midway through, Jen strides in, tries a right cross but gets beat to the punch as Rache leans forward with a shorter, blockier right: DOWN GOES CONNELLY! Just an intercept knockdown—Jen startled—gloves touching down as she’s momentarily off balance but she’s right back up: Connelly blushing, batting her mitts, bouncing impatiently on the spot as ref gives her 8. Resume: McAdams strong on Jen—ducking in close, then release tart, banging right/lefts to Jen’s waist as Connelly’s stooping forward behind her mitts. Rache keeps it on Jen—jabbing stiff up top, crouching in tight to bounce muscular right/lefts off taut brunette waist. Rachel cleans up the points, gives Jennifer a thumping in the first.

R2: Jen spry behind a stiff, chipping stick—Rachel’s eyes narrowed in concentration as she steps, weaves, parries, patiently taking canvas away from nimble Connelly. Midway through—McAdams spitting her own stock jab up top, stabilizes Jen, ducks in close to bip/bap that tidy right/left off Jen’s taut paunch: grunt of pain, Connelly freezing up as Rachel continues to score heavily amidships, Rachel working shoulder to shoulder from that point—hooking Jen’s abs; jerking left uppercuts; clouting right hands to Jen’s ear. Down the stretch, Jen wandering near the ropes, dukes at her temples: Rachel steps in with her jab, drops the right hand up top, back with a biting hook. Jens head rocks back as Rachel’s hook scores flush—Connelly stutter steps and CONNELLY GOES DOWN! This time dropped to the seat f her trunks, sitting up pretty with her back to the ropes, face astonished, Rachel: one curt nod of approval; one sharp batting of her mitts together—then she struts away as the bell sounds.

R3: Jen grim-faced, picks up her feet—really scooting now as she spits jabs, keeps her distance. Rachel forced to gallop, trying to contain Jen, then reduce her: Connelly hopping the perimeter, then mounting sudden harassment attacks as McAdams  covers up to receive. Minute mark—Connelly rotating counterclockwise, suddenly spits a pair of stiff jabs as she reverses direction, now stepping clockwise. Rache chops a straight right, missing over Jen’s right shoulder: Connelly steps in and bites a nasty little swiping hook, chopping stiffly at Rache’s chin and BUCKLING MCADAMS’ KNEES! Rachel shocked and hurt—covers up earmuff and tilts forward: EATING A VICIOUS RIP-LEFT UPPERCUT. Jen GOUGING that punch in—just a short, jerking thrust picking up Rachel’s startled face, Rachel toppling on her heels as Jen bumps her a hard left shoulder in the chest, then steos in and HOOKS Rachel’s face as McAdams is heading down. Rachel hits hard on her back—head and arms bouncing loud off the canvas—and IT’S OVER! Good lord—KO3 in shocking fashion—Jennifer Connelly.

After: What’s happened to Rachel McAdams’ granite chin? First Hu cracks it, now Jen shatters it—Jumbotron replays going over and over the hellish left hand that sent Rachel ragdoll to canvas, McAdams on her back, lying still for an uncomfortably long time—she’s brought around in stages, handled very tenderly and guided back to her stool. “I wanted to feature the uppercut,” beams a jubilant Connelly, “but I never expected to destroy Rachel with it! I wanted to box more, use the ring more, and penetrate with my hooks and uppercuts-but you have to wonder if Kelly did more damage to Rachel than we all realized at the time. McAdams was very strong on her legs in this fight—I felt her strength—but once I started to dial in, she didn’t take my power well at all. Let’s just say it: maybe Kelly and I have ruined Rachel McAdams!”

Reposted by Archer 11/25/09.