Post by Lookout! Boxing on May 29, 2021 2:34:47 GMT -6
Scarlett Johansson vs. Demi Lovato
BEFORE:
Pair of former bantamweight champions square off in this one, and, while Scarlett's career underwent a revival complete with new management last year, Demi's went sideways. Lovato went from the top of the division in 2019 to sub .500 in 2020, so, while the blonde is looking to build on 2020, the brunette is looking to put it behind her. "A hiccup, that's all," says Demi with a shake of the head. "Lost some tough ones I shouldn't have. But, I'm back on track now and ready to get that gold back."
"I'm not buying that she's 'struggling'," says the blonde with a smile. "She can fight and everyone knows it. But, I can fight BETTER, and I'm going to make sure everyone knows THAT."
ROUND ONE:
Scarlett normally very aggressive, but she takes a bit of a different tack here. Johansson, as always, moves well, and she's not looking to stand and trade power shots with a girl who hits like Demi. So, the blonde gets her box on instead, and she does so very, very effectively. She's angling, moving the feet, changing levels, getting the jab out and back, getting to spots and getting off. Lovato looking a step slow most of the round. She can't get anything on and can't get out of first gear. ScarJo gets stronger as the round goes on, getting into an excellent rhythm, taking the fight to Lovato while the brunette struggles to get anything going at all. Final seconds sees a scintillating ScarJo combo that backs Demi up a step just as the bell rings. When it does, there's no doubt in the results. ScarJo, wide and up 10-9.
ROUND TWO:
Demi begins adjusting. She's moving more herself, getting more active with both the feet and the fists, and it has an effect. Now, the blonde's not getting everything she wants. Instead, the brunette's having her moments when she's getting off in combination and tossing the older woman onto the defensive. For ScarJo's part, she's still effective, still scoring well with both hands, it's just that she's not the only one getting leather on now. Instead, it's a good back and forth round that sees both fighters land some good shot and Demi get a little blood trickling from the blonde's nose after a hard late flurry. Things are in doubt right into the final seconds, but, when the bell rings, Lovato's done juuusssttt enough to claim the points and even the score at 19-19 after two.
ROUND THREE:
Back to two-way stuff. Briefly. Because, about thirty seconds in. BOOM! Right hand, SCARJO and Demi is HURT! Lovato stumbles backward and the blonde pours FORWARD letting the hands go in a major way. Quickly, the younger woman is trapped on the ropes as Johansson gets off lusty with both hands, looking for the finish. Referee looking in closely as Demi keeps the guard high, jabs back in spots. Scarlett tosses everything she has at the brunette, but she can't get her out of there. Instead, Demi shakes the worst of the damage and begins firing back late, even working her way off the ropes in the final seconds. It's far too little and far too late for the cards, but Lovato survives the round, which Scarlett takes wide to pull back into a narrow lead, 29-28.
ROUND FOUR:
Lovato's legs all the way back under her as we start the fourth, and we're back where we were in the second, with both women moving head, hands, feet, boxing well, getting punches put together, and landing some hard shot. Heads are snapped back several times as the ladies sit down on more stuff in the fourth than they did in the second. But, for all the heavy, accurate shot being traded, no one's able to get much of an advantage. Like in the second, it's a matter of both fighters getting some, but not enough of what they want, and there's very little in it the entire way. Final seconds see both veterans looking to steal the points with last minute offensives, but those pretty much offset one another, and, when the bell rings, it's an even round, leaving the blonde clinging to a 39-38 lead.
ROUND FIVE:
Back to two-way stuff, and, if you love boxing, this is a fight for you, two talented, skilled veterans working hard and looking plenty good doing it. About a minute in, though, the two-way stuff changes. BOOM! Right hand, DEMI and SCARJO is hurt! The blonde wobbles and the brunette pours on fire and DROPS JOHANSSON WITH A RIGHT HOOK! Lovato quickly to a neutral corner. Scarlett struggles to a sitting position at six. Gets to her feet at nine. Ref gives her the mandatory and WAIVES ON THE BRUNETTE and DEMI is ALL OVER the blonde, battering her back into the ropes, TEARING into body as Johansson forms the tight ear muff then, when the blonde crouches, noodling her knees with a pair of uppercuts and IT'S OVER! The ref leaps in and bundles Scarlett to safety and IT'S OVER! And your winner by KO5 is Demi Lovato!
AFTER:
Good sportsmanship on display in the post-fight as Demi goes over to check on ScarJo and the pair hug it out before Lovato is pulled away for the cameras. "No doubt about it," says Demi. "She's still got it, especially at this weight. The girl can move and she can HIT. Had me in trouble there for a minute. But, thing is, when it comes to bantamweights, nobody hits harder and nobody is better than the girl you're talking to. Some people have forgotten that, so, I'll just have to keep reminding them."
