Minka Kelly versus Gina Rodriguez

Minka Kelly vs Gina Rodriguez
(Lioness Club of America vs FCBA Independent)
(48-24-1, 44 KO vs 1-2, 1 KO)
Results: Lookout!; Story: Vassago

BEFORE: Minka Kelly's slump might be over following last month's epic stoppage of Katheryn Winnick but some pundits question her tonight's choice as Gina Rodriguez has compiled just three official FCBA bouts under her belt which speaks cannon fodder all over the place. "Wrong! I still remember how Gina called me out on Jimmy Falloon all these moons ago and it's just I wasn't in the best of shape last year to answer her challenge. But I'm no corward so here I am ready to smoke her to bits! (laughs). I know she seeks a platform in this league but I won't be the one that paves her way into a contender status. She's tough and has a ton of personal boxing experience but this one is MINE!" (laughs).

Sure enough, Gina Rodriguez comes from the boxing background courtesy of her father being a referee and she's not afraid to brag about her potential which is supposedly the main reason she's been overlooked in the FCBA so far: "These girls are simply scared of me! I did some dancing, I know more about boxing than Charlize Theron & Amanda Righetti combined and when I called Minka into some sparring sessions two years ago, she couldn't keep up with me! I doubt she's improved a lot since then!" (laughs).

Minka Kelly wears a leopard print bikini top, black hotpants & red gloves. Long dark brown hair tied in a sleek ponytail. Gina Rodriguez wears a red bikini top, white hotpants & blue gloves. Long dark brown hair tied in a high ponytail. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds in the bantamweight division.

Round 1:
Big time swings from Gina put Minka on early notice but those dancing moves still give the Latin vixen the edge as she works over the top to snap the fellow brunette's head back & forth. Minka's southpaw drill comes up short as Gina's simply too fast on her feet and backs the older actress into the ropes where Minka's forced into a hectic jabbing resistance but she still gets tagged repeatedly by the aggressive response. Gina takes no prisoners here as she's got Kelly trapped and pummels her below the elbows to run away with the action come the final minute. Minka gets vocal as she tries to stay in the exchange but gets beaten for a late hook on the nose and bends sideways into spasms when the clock expires!

Round 2:
Gina makes more noise early in the second while splitting Minka's high guard and forcing the older brunette into a proper slugfest. Even the bendy defense doesn't work for Kelly here as Gina's too mobile & ruthless at the same time but a couple of vicious hooks bounce into her chest which slows the Puerto Rican effort down. Gina still refuses to back off and smacks Minka across the mouth before a proper body response allows the Lioness woman to catch some break. Duck & weave battle follows but Rodriguez soon finds her mojo and launches another point-blank range tirade that drops Kelly onto the ropes; too much mobility difference between the two but Gina still only finds the forearms late as she tries to dissect the earmuff cover. She bounces off the trapped opponent and verbally taunts her into better action which leaves both Minka & coach Mendes puzzled during the break.

Round 3:
Gina mounts another jabbing run to set up the downstairs switch alas Minka shows some wheels to drag the battle into mid-range where she loops several promising overhand to stay clear of the Puerto Rican's path. Rodriguez is almost too reckless now as she dances around the older brunette with her gloves sitting down by her hips but these tricks don't work against such a wiley veteran like Kelly. The Lioness fighter doesn't blink at first and works the steady right hand to move the other woman around until Gina finally jumps... and meets a crushing left hook on the jaw that trips her back onto the ropes instead! Huh! That was naughty but Minka maintains the methodical approach and allows Rodriguez to mount a response before the mid-range works into her favor and allows her to snap the Latina's head back & forth during the final stretch.

Round 4:
Rodriguez's a little upset over the previous round but she suddenly finds more southpaw leather crashing into her face as Minka leaps forward and thumps some quick jug before testing the jaw outright. Gina tweaks to the side and gets burned with a low hook on the liver just as Kelly goes over the top in response. She knocks the younger brunette back and drills her mouth on the turn with Gina backpedalling as a result. She tries to jump away from the looming trap but Minka NAILS her on the jaw regardless and piles instant pressure up the middle rocking the Puerto Rican's rack and slumping her into spasms come the final stretch. Ugh! Another low strike finds the liver area and Rodriguez cries out at the bell which is a shocking turnaround for many of the fans inside the arena!

Round 5:
Gina's really furious now and gets caught out by the reckless approach as Minka picks her off over the top and adds more swelling onto her lips. It's not the classic Kelly grindfest but she uses her opponent's wrath against her and delivers the perfect southpaw punishment which slows the Puerto Rican right down as she gets hit repeatedly on the jaw. Ugh! Dad ain't gonna like this! Gina suddenly folds forward with a whimper and drops the guard too low for the former champion not to take advantage... a mighty left hook slams Gina on the jaw again and SENDS HER CRASHING FACE-DOWN ON THE CANVAS!!! She tries to get up but no, it's a no-go here as she collapses spread eagle following a half-hearted recovery effort. KO5 Minka Kelly!!!

AFTER: Minka applauds the brave Puerto Rican and eventually lifts her from the canvas. In fact they both share a quick laugh when Gina checks on her jaw and admits it might still be in one piece after all. "Can't buy experience like that!", Minka claims she's maybe not as committed to the boxing scene as Gina but she worked her way up and deserves the credit despite the previous backstage snub that triggered the Jimmy Falloon challenge: "We know each other too well now! I'm sure Gina would give a ton of girls a huge run for their money and who knows, maybe they are all scared of her after all?" (laughs).

Back to Gina: "Okay, so this looks bad but hey, Minka is so cool. She got me this opportunity and I still kicked her ass backstage all these years ago! She knows it and I know it. It's just the FCBA doesn't know! (laughs). But hey, the phone must ring here sooner or later! It's not like I can drag Eva Mendes into a fight next? Some Latin Games incoming, Eva?"

"Don't you even think about it!", Eva Mendes shakes her head at first but then winks back at the audience so who knows if she stays true to her words. Gina is no Jenny McCarthy but one can never rule out a proper Hispanic boxing feud when available!

Official result: Minka Kelly def. Gina Rodriguez KO5.