Edith Soledad Matthysse vs. Jelena Mrdjenovich II RBR

Round 7

Mrdjenovich is now facing an entirely new headache - Matthysse jogging around the ring, keeping at least ten feet away from her. Mrdjenovich sighs wearily and begins to plod after her, then reach in with jabs to feel out the distance. Mrdjenovich cuts the ring off and starts throwing straight combos, but Matthysse puts her face down below the waist, arching her spine, then resurfacing with awkward combinations thrown at strange diagonals. Mrdjenovich wants to knock this pain in the ass spark out. She is loading up on bombs - and perhaps now playing directly into Matthysse's hands. Mrdjenovich getting very sloppy and expending lots of energy. BIG shots by Mrdjenovich, largely missing or deflecting off Matthysse's hips or ulna. Some are getting through, however. Matthysse did her own version of rope-a-dope here, and survived...but definitely sacrificed the round.

10-9 Mrdjenovich

68-65 Matthysse

 

If that really is Matthysse's game plan and she pulls it off - that would be pretty epic. :shock:

(causing Mrdjenovich to gas out and then stopping her late, to avoid the possible robbery on the cards and eliminate doubt about last time in Argentina...)

 

Round 8

Mrdjenovich is plowing forth, throwing big telegraphed left hooks at the smaller woman and lobbing heavy but slow right crosses. Matthysse is riding some of the punches willingly to stay in position to counter in combination. Huge connect edge for Matthysse, who is comparably much fresher. Mrdjenovich looks ready to collapse. Mrdjenovich is cut by an overhand right from Matthysse.

10-9 Matthysse

78-74 Matthysse

 

Round 9

Mrdjenovich is conserving energy now, smartening up, protecting her cut eye with both gloves up, elbows at the hem of her sports bra, and throwing fewer punches. Mrdjenovich trying some body shots, but Matthysse always quick to answer, now leading when Mrdjenovich shells up (and targeting her eye) and still countering when Mrdjenovich comes at her with big shots bowled in as though she were in a heightened gravity zone.

10-9 Matthysse

88-83 Matthysse

 

Round 10

Mrdjenovich is plodding after Matthysse, jabbing from the high guard. Mrdjenovich shoves Matthysse onto the mat. Matthysse up but her legs take a moment to recover - and Mrdjenovich FINDS HER WITH A SOLID LEFT HOOK! Matthysse down hard. She beats the count and immediately starts rumbling with the challenger. Both clobbering down with the right hand flush on the cheek. Both planting hooks on the kisser, twisting all the way around to generate maximum force. DAMN. They're going at it!

10-8 Mrdjenovich

96-93 Matthysse

 

Good fight (even the sloppy parts in the early-mid going were still entertaining). If they give it to Mrdjenovich it definitely is a robbery but the silver lining is we get a rubber match.

 

Both show great sportsmanship (sportswomanship?), congratulating and saluting each other, and get ovations from the crowd.

 

Ugh, watch it not even.

100-88 Mrdjenovich x3, I bet. :-(

 

Official cards:

Craig Macnaff 96-93
Joel Scobey 96-93
Ed Pearson 97-92

UD for Jelena Mrdjenovich

 

Yeeeeeeeeah... I watch a lot of boxing, needless to say, and I can't recall ever hearing any of those judges' names in a world title bout.

So. Yeah.

 

What did I tell you? Without the knockdown Mrdjenovich still takes it - and by unanimous decision no less. (96-94 x2 and 97-93)