Andrea Botez versus Vanessa Hudgens

BEFORE:

Battle of brunettes featured Hall of Famer Vanessa, who remains as elite as it gets at flyweight, against hot prospect Andrea, who's won four of six in her young career, including impressive wins over both Lavigne and Ziegler. But, if 'Nessa's impressed (narrator: "She is NOT impressed."), she's not letting on. "The term for girls like Botez is 'flash in the pan'," says Hudgens. "And, tonight, she's going to SEE a flash, just before she hits the canvas like a sack of wet laundry."

"'Nessa's awfully full of herself," says Andrea with a smile. "Which will make knocking her senseless all the sweeter."

ROUND ONE:

Hudgens doesn't go the stick and move route early. Instead, the older brunette decides to take the fight to the younger. But, Andrea's more than willing to play this game. The ever-aggressive Canadian stands her ground and quickly begins backing the American up with flurries of hard shot. Soon enough, Hudgens is on the back foot taking punishment as Botez gets off lusty. 'Nessa's never hurt, but she's getting touched up in a major way, as the younger woman gets everything working and piles up the points and punishment. Final seconds sees 'Nessa get on her horse, but it's far too late to matter. At the bell, it's Botez and wide and Andrea grabs the 10-9 lead.


ROUND TWO:

Hudgens on the move from the opening seconds. This is vintage Vanessa. She's jabbing, circling, reversing field, stopping to pop, then getting right back on her bicycle. Andrea determined to press the pace like she did in the first, and the Canadian plays right into the American's hands. This is EXACTLY what 'Nessa wants, an overly-aggressive foe stepping forward right into what she's trying to do. Result is that Botez manages to land a few solid shots, but she spends most of the rest of the round eating leather while trying to bring 'Nessa to battle. For the second round in a row, there's no doubt about it at the bell. This time it's 'Nessa wide and we're even at 19.

ROUND THREE:

Botez hears it in the corner and backs off the throttle. Instead of chasing 'Nessa, she stalks, works the feet, looks to cut the ring. Hudgens keeps moving, jab, circle, stop, pop, then right back on the move, all while Andrea looks to match footwork, bring the American to battle. Both brunettes have success on their own terms. It's 'Nessa with the edge while she's able to roam across the canvas freely, but, when Botez can force battle, Andrea makes up the stagger by getting the better of it, putting sharp punches together and even hooking a little body in spots. At the bell, there's not much in it, but, for the second round in a row, the Hall of Famer claims the points and pulls into a 29-28 lead.

ROUND FOUR:

Same again. It's all about the terms now. Both fighters have found something that works, and both are working hard to create favorable conditions for themselves. Again, it's 'Nessa trying to roam in open ocean, using her slicks and quicks to jab and circle, stop for a quick combination and then slip out of Dodge before Andrea can respond. For Botez's part, it's about moving the feet, stepping forward, cutting the ring, then getting off quickly before Vanessa can find an opening to slip away and get back to her war of movement. For the second round in a row, it's close throughout, but, this time, when the bell rings, it's Andrea who clams the stanza and evens things at 38.

ROUND FIVE:

Botez finding something now. She's getting the geometry right more often, cutting off 'Nessa and then taking the fight to her, working body, landing hard shots to the head. Hudgens giving ground, working the feet, trying to find space, but, most of the time, she's not able to do so. Andrea's got it going and she's landing some solid shot...BOOM! Right hand, 'NESSA and BOTEZ IS HURT! Hudgens with a lightning counter that wobbles Andrea's knees and Vanessa is ALL IN. Hudgens reefing shot at the reeling Canadian and DOWN GOES BOTEZ! 'Nessa to a neutral corner. Andrea flat on her back as the ref counts down. Canadian rolls to her belly at six, pushes to hands and knees at eight, but can do no more before the count passes her by! It's over! And your winner by KO5 is Vanessa Hudgens!

AFTER:

'Nessa matter-of-fact in the post. "It's like I said," says Hudgens with a shrug. "These girls all get a bunch of hype because they win a couple of fights, and then their management figures it's time to cash in before it all comes apart. So, they call Lookout! and get a big check while I unmask another pretender. Next!"