Sophie Mudd versus Scarlett Johansson (JMD Title)

BEFORE:

Blonde/brunette tilt for the JMD title sees former two-time champ Scarlett look to reclaim the crown for the first time in well over a decade. But, coming off an impressive showing against the younger, bustier Vivian Hsieh, ScarJo sees no reason why she can't come out on top against Sophie. "She's had a nice little run," the blonde admits. "But, that ends tonight."

"The only thing that ends, tonight," says a hard-eyed Sophie, "Is an illusions Scarlett has about beating me."

ROUND ONE:

Sophie has an advantage in size and reach and she puts both to good use in the first. She sets up behind the left and slowly begins walking the blonde down, following accurate jabs with hard right hands. ScarJo's trying to hold canvas, bang back, but, mostly she can't do it. Mostly, it's Sophie slowly grabbing territory all while piling up the points and the punishment. ScarJo has her moments, landing a couple of solid shots to the head and a pair of nice hooks to jug, but, most of the way, it's Sophie, if not dominating, in firm control of the proceedings. At the bell, there's no question about the points. The champ's taken them wide and leads 10-9.

ROUND TWO:

ScarJo adjusts and does so nicely. She uses a little lateral movement to stay off square. This allows her to avoid being walked back, as she's slipping Sophie's jab. Better still, ScarJo is able to step inside and work at middle distances and even get into the phone booth at times. Add it all up, and it's a much better round for the blonde, who's now calling the tune, scoring with both hands, and getting the champion out of the rhythm she was in during the first. Late in the round ScarJo lands a HARD right hand that get's Mudd's attention. Sophie's not hurt, but the challenger is able to follow up with some nice combinations that finish off a strong round. At the bell, it's ScarJo wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

ScarJo out hot, backing up Mudd with hard combinations. Is Sophie actually buzzed from that late right hand and the following flurries? Looks like the brunette might be, because the blonde's taken control of this thing and BOOM! LEFT HOOK AND DOWN GOES MUDD! Blonde with a VICIOUS short left that leaves the champion down on her left side. Scarlett BOUNCES back to a neutral corner as Sophie tries to struggle off the canvas. Ref's count reaches eight before she manages to do so. He takes a long look as he gives the champ the mandatory, but then waves on ScarJo! Blonde ALL OVER MUDD, forcing her into the ropes and WORKING OVER THAT RACK. Sophie hanging on, clinching, trying to run clock, but she's taking a beating to head, midsection, ribs, and jug. Ref not going to watch much more of this, but he doesn't have to. The bell sounds with Sophie still on her feet, but ScarJo takes it 10-8 and the challenger now leads 29-27.

ROUND FOUR:

Challenger determined to finish now. She's got the brunette in deep trouble and both fighters know it. Scarlett stepping to, letting the hands go, backing up Sophie again and again. Mudd playing defense, giving ground, trying to work the clock. She's taking punishment to head and body and particularly to jug, all while jabbing back on occasion and clinching any time she can. Final thirty seconds sees the champion shake the worst of it and begin firing back. Result is some SALTY exchanges that see both fighters land some big shot. When the bell rings, though, Johansson's done it again, taking the points wide to extend her lead to 39-36.

ROUND FIVE:

Fifth starts the way the fourth ended, with the ladies getting AFTER one another. Mudd's back to looking to walk down Johansson, but the blonde isn't having any. She's holding canvas and banging right back and WE"VE GOT A FIREFIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING! Both ladies sitting down on their punches, looking to back the other up, take control. But, no one's willing to give an inch. Result is crowd-pleasing stuff, with both champion and challenger landing TONS of heavy shot to head, body, and RACK. Jug worked over a TON in the late going, as both fighters try to impose will. But, at the bell, no one has...but Mudd's managed to do enough to take the points and cut her deficit to 48-46 at the half.

ROUND SIX:

Ladies right back at it to start the sixth, banging away at mid and short ranges, working head, body, rack, committing on everything. Once again, both fighters looking to impose will, but no one is giving an in...BOOM! Right hand, Sophie and ScarJo is STEPPIN' IN FENCE POST HOLES! Blonde reels backward and the brunette turns the aggression up to eleven and DOWN GOES JOHANSSON after a short right hook! Mudd to a neutral corner as ScarJo struggles to get off her right side. Ref's count makes seven before she manages to push to her feet. He gives the challenger the mandatory and ON COMES THE CHAMPION. Sophie buzz saw's Scarlett back to the ropes and then it's HUP-HUP to jug! Johansson in desperate straits as Mudd rocks her with a right hand and then goes back to hooking rack...and it's OVER! The ref has seen enough and he bundles the blonde to safety. It's over! And your winner by KO6 and STILL JMD Champion is Sophie Mudd!

AFTER:

No doubt by looking at Mudd that she's been in a fight, but she's all smiles in the post-fight interview. "I knew she'd get her licks in," the champion admits. "But, I also knew eventually I'd wear her down and take her out of there. And, that's exactly what I did."