Natalie Portman vs. Billie Eilish

BEFORE:

Battle of top-level flys sees Hall of Famer Natalie looking to do a little pruning of undefeated Billie, who's gunning for a shot at some gold sometime in 2023. And, despite her rival's perfect record, Portman is, as always, supremely confident. "I've watched her fight with Dove over and over again," Natalie says with shake of the head. "There's no doubt Cameron was the superior fighter. She just made a couple of mistakes, mistakes she won't make again, mistake I won't make in the first place. This girl isn't that good. And, I'm going to prove that to EVERYONE tonight."

"I can see beating Cameron's a** didn't get me any respect in Crackerville," says a hard-eyed Billie. "Well, then, we'll see what they say when I take out Queen Natalie."

ROUND ONE:

Portman looking pretty prescient early. Hall of Famer gets her box on, working the left hand, dropping rights behind, moving the feet. She wants space and she wants time and she's playing things perfectly to get both. Younger brunette wants to close, bang, bring power to bear, but Natalie's having none of it. She's completely controlling the geometry, and, as a result, the fight. Eilish lands in counter here and there, even managing one solid right that gets the crowd's attention, but, for most of the round, she's getting taken to school by the far more experienced fighter. At the bell, there's absolutely no doubt about the points. It's Natalie wide and with the early 10-9 lead.

ROUND TWO:

More of the same. Hall of Famer running rings around the younger brunette. It's all about geometry and pace, and Natalie's controlling both almost completely. She's in the right spots, getting off in combination, always keeping Billie off balance, on the wrong foot, a little late, a little short. It's awesome stuff and just the latest example of what's made Portman a Hall of Famer. For Eilish's part, again, she manages to land in spots, widely-spaced spots. But, none of the younger woman's offense particularly bothers Natalie, who simply continues the lesson right to the final bell. When it rings, it's Portman wide again and with a 20-18 lead.

ROUND THREE:

More of the...BOOM! Portman's lesson's come to a sudden end with a RIGHT-HAND, EILISH! Billie finally finds the range and detonates an absolute BOMB that sends Natalie stumbling backward. Somehow the Hall of Famer keeps her feet, but the younger brunette is determined to correct that little problem immediately, winging away with both hands, driving the older woman into the ropes and then DIGGING SOME SERIOUS BODY! Portman putting that on sale cheap as she hangs on in a high, tight guard and Billie buying IN BULK, hooking ribs and tummy, looking to break the older woman down. Eilish goes back upstairs late, landing some solid shot, but Natalie rides out the storm. When the bell rings, Billie's taken it wide, but the Hall of Famer is still on her feet and still in the lead 29-28.

ROUND FOUR:

Eilish looking to finish this thing. She's walking forward behind the left jab, backing up Natalie steadily. Portman looking to effect a fighting retreat and having success doing that in spots, but it's BIllie who's in control now. She's getting a LOT of work done, dropping rights in behind the left jab, piling up points and punishment at the price of taking a solid counter from Natalie here and there, a price she's more than willing to pay. Final minute sees Portman shake the worst of the damage and start holding her canvas. Eilish not going to get sloppy or push things too far. Ladies settle back into boxing, and Natalie gets rolling again, but it's too little, too late for the fourth, which goes to Billie wide, evening things at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Portman continues to roll. Cue video of the first two rounds, because that's what's happening here. Natalie causing Billie all SORTS of problems with perfect geometry, perfect spacing, perfect timing. Younger brunette clearly frustrated, but she's staying sound, not willing to walk into the carefully-laid traps the older woman is setting. That's all well and very good, of course, but the result remains the Hall of Famer controlling things, piling up points, reducing Eilish to the odd solid flurry, none of which is nearly enough to offset all the points Natalie's scoring throughout the round. At the bell, there's no doubt about it for the fifth round in a row. Portman has it wide and leads 48-47 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Eilish finally begins solving for "X" and, it turns out the answer, at least for the moment, is pressure. Billie's back to coming forward behind the jab, and she's able to use the follow on right-hand power shots to back up the older brunette. Natalie's not hurt, but she's being forced to the defensive, to the back foot, and that's allowing Eilish to take control of things. The younger woman's staying very sound, resisting temptations to sit down on everything. She's willing to play the long game here, piling up the points, landing solid shot, imposing will and fighting lead. At the bell, there's, yet again, no doubt about it. Eilish has it wide and we're even again, this time at 57.

ROUND SEVEN:

Battle for terms now. Billie wants to keep coming forward. Natalie wants her space and is using more lateral movement to get it. Result is the very first two-way round of the entire bout. Younger brunette has moments when she's able to line the Hall of Famer up with that jab, then back her up with right hands. At other times, Portman's the one calling the tune, getting her own left on, following up, slipping rejoinders, staying off center. Add it all up, and there's very little in it. Neither fighter is even able to put together a late run to try to steal the points. Things simply continue on back-and-forth terms until the bell. When it rings it's narrow, but it's Natalie, and Portman's back in the lead 67-66.

ROUND EIGHT:

Two-way stuff continues, with both fighters getting some, but not enough of what they want. Portman managing Eilish's aggression very, very well. Billie getting some work done, but staying sound, staying out of Natalie's tra...BOOM! Right hand, EILISH and PORTMAN IS HURT! Natalie RUMBLIN', STUMBLIN', FUMBLIN' around the ring. Billie immediately into seek-and-destroy mode, sitting down on punches, backing up Natalie and DROPPING HER WITH A LEFT HOOK! Portman crashes to her left side. Eilish quickly to a neutral corner. Natalie rolling to her belly at six, pushes to hands and knees at eight...but that's as far as she gets! Portman still on all fours as the count passes her by! It's OVER! And your winner by KO8 is Billie Eilish!

AFTER:

Eilish nothing but respectful in the post. "She's as advertised," the brunette says. "As good as anyone I've ever fought. Just makes it very hard in there with all that skill and intelligence she has. She's one step ahead of you all the time. All I could do was hang in there and work hard and wait for my opportunities. When I got them, I had to cash them. And, I did."