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Christy Martin faces Belinda Laracuente on Showtime Boxing PPV
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00:23FELIX TRINIDAD
00:26Undefeated IBF and WBC welterweight champion
00:31One of boxing's best
00:33In pursuit of greater glory
00:36Is moving up in weight
00:41David Reed
00:43Undefeated WBA super welterweight champion
00:47One of boxing's rising stars
00:50In search of recognition
00:52Is accepting the greatest challenge of his career
00:56Tonight
00:59Trinidad steps up in weight
01:01And Reed steps up in class
01:08This is a promotion of Don King Productions
01:11In association with America Presents
01:14And Caesar's Palace
01:16Brought to you by Budweiser
01:19The undisputed, undefeated king of beers
01:22This Bud's for you
01:23Pay-per-view distributed by Showtime Event Television
01:31The world-famous Las Vegas Strip
01:33Ordinarily buzzing with activity
01:35Cranks it up several notches this weekend
01:37Hosting not one, but two fight cars
01:39Plus the Las Vegas 400
01:41Expected to draw some 120,000 racing fans
01:44This place is revved up for action
01:46And it all shifts into high gear
01:48Here at Caesar's Palace
01:50Expectations are sky-high
01:52For tonight's marquee matchup
01:53Between super welterweight champion David Reed
01:55America's only gold medalist
01:57For the 96 Olympics
01:58And Puerto Rico's superstar
02:00Felix Tito Trinidad
02:02The WBC and IVF welterweight champion
02:08It is sundown
02:09As tonight we return to a time
02:11When outdoor boxing was the tradition
02:13That was the case in the 1980s and early 90s
02:17Here in Las Vegas
02:18Caesar's Palace
02:19The host to countless legendary fights
02:21Recently constructed this 10,000 seat arena
02:24For the express purpose of this event
02:25Sellout crowd anticipated
02:27Many of the seats should be filled later tonight
02:29In time for what shapes up
02:31As a very attractive matchup
02:32Between David Reed and Felix Trinidad
02:36The weather usually not a factor for boxing matches
02:39But under these unusual circumstances
02:41Worth noting
02:41And we may have hit the jackpot
02:43The earlier week forecast was kind of gloomy
02:46The current conditions as you can see
02:47Temperature's 60
02:48The winds are calm
02:50But perhaps somewhat risky
02:51To be outside this time of year
02:53Particularly in the desert
02:54Where the mercury can plummet
02:55As the sun descends
02:59Hello again everybody
03:00Steve Albert ringside
03:01The on-again, off-again battle of undefeated
03:03David Reed versus Felix Trinidad
03:05Came together for good in January
03:07To the satisfaction of many boxing fans
03:09Reed has been a strong presence
03:11Since achieving Olympic gold in 96
03:13But a high visibility win over Trinidad
03:16Would bring him that much closer
03:17To his goal of superstardom
03:19Trinidad, already a bona fide superstar
03:21Is moving up in weight
03:22To challenge for Reed's 154-pound title
03:24Coming off the controversial majority decision
03:27Over Oscar De La Hoya
03:28To unify the IBF and WBC welterweight belts
03:32Now while Trinidad won the biggest fight of his life
03:34Some felt it was De La Hoya's run-around tactics
03:36And not Trinidad's talents
03:38That decided the outcome
03:39So Tito fights for more than just Reed's belt
03:42But to gain the respect he feels he should already have
03:45Trinidad believes
03:46Well, he deserves the title of the best pound-for-pound fighter
03:48In the world today
03:49And that a decisive victory tonight
03:51Will cement his position as boxing's best
03:55And with that, let me bring on my ringside partners
03:57First, the fight doctor, Ferdie Pacheco
03:59Ferdie, is this bout reminiscent of other past great bouts
04:02Involving undefeated champions?
04:04Not only, yes it is
04:05And not only that, but it's a door opener
04:07You know, every so often in boxing
04:09You have these lulls
04:10And then the stars all form together
04:11Like a hurricane forming
04:13And they show up
04:14And now we've got a bunch of similar
04:17Attractive, non-defeated, undefeated fighters
04:20Ready to fight each other
04:21As we had when we had Sugar Ray Leonard
04:24Tommy Hearns, Hagler, Duran
04:26When all those guys got together
04:28Fought each other, re-fought each other
04:30We had three or four years of superb fighting
04:32That's what I think this fight is
04:34That's the opening doorway to that
04:36Because we've got great fighters in the mix
04:39From Delahoya to Joppy fighting here
04:41Fighting Holmes
04:42Keith Holmes, Joppy fights, another big one
04:44We've got fights coming up for the next three or four years
04:47That are just going to be reminiscent of the great fights
04:50Of the 80s and 90s
04:51And I look forward to it
04:52I think this is the opening shot
04:54In that series of good fights
04:56Glad you finished that thought for a second
04:57I thought we were working with Al Roker
05:00Weather references as we turn to Bobby Chez
05:03And Bobby, who has the advantage here tonight
05:05Reed or Trinidad, and why?
05:07We know, Steve, technically one might think that Reed
05:09Being 154 pounds naturally
05:10And having a world championship
05:11Well, maybe he has at least a slight mental advantage
05:14But Trinidad, on paper, has beaten better fighters
05:17He has come through in terrific fashion
05:19Every time out of the box
05:20And that maybe his mind is in a better place than his Reed's
05:23Now, if we put them together physically
05:25Their attributes almost mirror one another
05:26Almost the same height
05:27Almost the same reach
05:28Similar speed, similar power
05:30There is no glaring difference in either of these fighters
05:33That can say there's an advantage or disadvantage
05:35One way or the other
05:36The first two rounds are going to dictate
05:37Who actually has that slight advantage
05:39It really is an intriguing fight
05:41Even though Trinidad is better than a 2-to-1 favorite
05:43A lot of folks here in Las Vegas are picking David Reed
05:46Now, yesterday's official weigh-in
05:48Took on added significance
05:49Since Trinidad has added some pounds
05:51Many feel a win tonight
05:52Increases the likelihood of an eventual second fight
05:55With Oscar De La Hoya
05:56At what they call a catch weight
05:58Between 149 and 151 pounds
06:01Although Trinidad says
06:02Forget about that
06:03Because he's comfortable at 154
06:05The feeling is that if he wins
06:07Let Oscar come up to him
06:08Here's what happened
06:09When both Trinidad and Reed
06:10Tipped the scales
06:21153 pounds for David Reed
06:24153 pounds for Trinidad
06:27153
06:35153 pounds for David Reed
06:37153 the same weight
06:48Well, the weight issue is one of many important factors going into this fight
06:52For example, will Reed have the advantage in strength and punching power
06:56Because this is his natural weight
06:58While Trinidad is coming up from 147
07:01Is Trinidad taking a risk here tonight?
07:03Our Jim Gray spoke with Trinidad and Reed at the weigh-in
07:08Felix, let me ask you
07:09There has been a lot made about the weight issue
07:12This is only the second time in seven years
07:14That you have fought at this weight
07:16Is it going to be a problem or an issue with you?
07:24No, it won't be an issue
07:25He's made the weight very well
07:31He made 153 pounds because he trains very well
07:35And he takes good care of himself
07:37Everybody's been discussing the weight
07:38Of course, he's moving up
07:39This is the weight you're comfortable at
07:40You have said, however, this week
07:42That you feel that it is no big deal
07:44That it is not a great advantage
07:46Why?
07:46The reason why I say that
07:48Because he already fought at 147 pounds
07:51About 89 months ago
07:53And he really struggled at that weight
07:56So I'm quite sure he came down from like 170 pounds
08:00To fight at 147
08:03So right now, I think he's a fully
08:06A full 154 pounder
08:11Keep in mind, Trinidad's walking around weight
08:13Considerably higher than the welterweight limit
08:15And he was 156 to 158
08:17When he stepped into the ring for De La Hoya
08:19A gain of roughly 10 pounds
08:21Tonight, our host venue
08:23The Caesars Palace Arena here in Las Vegas
08:26Getting set to present a boxing tripleheader
08:28Julio Cesar Chavez
08:29Originally fighting Bobby Elkins
08:31But the Mexican boxing legend
08:33Could not agree to terms
08:34And promoter Don King
08:35So the bout was canceled
08:37Also scheduled to appear tonight
08:39Heavyweight Ray Mercer
08:40Who recently recovered from hepatitis
08:42Because he had not been able to train properly
08:44He pulled out of his scheduled 12-rounder
08:46With Anthony Willis
08:47So let's give you a complete rundown
08:49Of who is here
08:50As the undercard for Reed versus Trinidad
08:53And we'll start things off with the ladies
08:55As Christy Martin looks to recapture
08:57The women's fictitious pound-for-pound title
09:00As she squares off Belinda Alaraquente
09:03Our second fight, originally scheduled
09:05As a WBA middleweight title defense
09:07Has now become a 10-round non-title affair
09:09Number one challenger Rito Rubalcaba
09:11Pulled out with tonsillitis
09:12Leaving champion William Joppy
09:14To face last-minute substitute
09:16Fernando Luis Zuniga
09:17And finally at our main event
09:19David Reed puts his WBA superwaterweight belt
09:22On the line
09:22Against one of the premier fighters in the world
09:24Felix Trinidad
09:25Reed says he'll shock the world
09:27Just like he did at the Olympics
09:30And for those of you with internet access
09:32We invite you to judge every round of every fight online
09:35By logging on to show.com
09:37The results will be posted online and announced here during the telecast
09:41Of course, your voting is for entertainment purposes only
09:43And will not influence the outcome of the fight
09:46Show.com is the place to find complete biographies
09:49Of tonight's fighters
09:50Post-fight analysis
09:51Online scoring
09:52And more
09:53Once again, the web address
09:56SHO.com
09:58Well, we get things rolling with a matchup of women
10:02The coal miner's daughter, Christy Martin
10:03Probably the most recognizable female fighter in the world
10:06Takes on Melinda Lara-Quente of Puerto Rico
10:08A fight that almost got KO'd just a few days ago
10:11For Christy, this is actually her second fight this week
10:14This past Monday at the LA Boxing Club
10:16A bizarre incident
10:18After Christy finished doing a TV interview
10:20As she told us
10:21She turned away and was punched in the face by Lucia Riker
10:24Regarded as the best female fighter in the world
10:27Take a look
10:31He's struck on me
10:32Get her out of here
10:35Get her out of here
10:48Don't even do it
10:49I'm not going to do it
10:50You're like
10:51Why I get her
10:52You're right
10:53And fuck her
10:53Sucker punch me
10:54You're right
10:55You're right
10:56You're right
10:56And help
10:56You know you need
10:58That's why you got to
10:59Sucker punch me
11:00That's why you got to
11:01Stool on me
11:02It's Friday
11:03They didn't even know
11:04Conan
11:05Yeah
11:05They didn't even know
11:08She ain't for
11:10That's why she got to
11:11Stool on somebody
11:12If you really are a true fighter
11:14You're not going to come up
11:15And try to steal on somebody
11:16Three, four days before their fight
11:18you don't do that i'm professional i'm a professional and then the fight will be made
11:23i've been asking for the fight to be made she's been running she said she needs to fight a man
11:28and no women will fight her but yet every time she has a woman's schedule she pulls out she
11:33she has bad chance or some food like that i don't know well while uh christy said lucia started it
11:41bystanders tell us christy started it by shoving lucia in any case the scuffle ensued cameras
11:47started rolling after the punch martin ruptured the tendons and two fingers in her right hand
11:52injured an ankle in the melee but she said she's okay for tonight it nearly put tonight's fight in
11:57jeopardy affecting two fighters reicher thought to be frustrated over inability to get a real fight
12:03with christy very unfortunate episode indeed here's belinda laraquente her opponent tonight
12:09former puerto rican amateur champion puerto rico's female athlete of the year two years in a row
12:14her biggest win unanimous decision over ex-champ daniela summers last year she's just 21 former
12:20teenage model who wants to be an embalmer no joke laraquente who lives in miami has a lot of
12:26confidence but bobby number one can she outbox christy what a decision and number two is she big
12:32and strong enough to keep the aggressive christy offer we know steve she has excellent boxing skills and
12:36pretty good defense and excellent lateral movement her conditioning is going to have to be perfect and her
12:40jabbing combinations completely accurate she's going to keep christy off but if she does that she
12:45does have the boxing ability to pull off the upset so she'll be facing christy martin obviously
12:52distracted by the incident with reicher earlier this week but looks to shake it off and keep her focus
12:58of attention on laraquente saying she expects a brawl in the vein of her 96 war with theodra gogany
13:04which landed her right on the cover of sports illustrated and brought women's boxing to
13:09unimagined heights let's check the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape at 31 christy is 10
13:16years
13:16older than laraquente two inch height advantage for laraquente both weighed 140 at yesterday's weigh-in
13:24and a slight reach advantage for laraquente and the key rules for this women's bout scheduled for eight
13:29with two minute rounds no standing eight count no three knockdown rule a fighter cannot be saved by
13:35the bell in any round if an accidental headbutt occurs before the end of the fourth round the fighters
13:40ruled a no contest if it happens after the end of round four they go to the scorecards so here
13:46at the
13:46caesar's palace arena in las vegas getting ready for christy martin versus belinda laraquente the formal
13:52introductions from our ring announcer jimmy lennon jr ladies and gentlemen a very good evening to you
13:59and we welcome you to caesar's palace in las vegas nevada as we have a big night of action in
14:06store for
14:06you and it's all brought to you by don king productions in association with america presents
14:12showtime event television caesar's palace and budweiser the undefeated undisputed king of beers
14:20at this time ladies and gentlemen we present a women's special attraction scheduled for eight
14:25two-minute rounds of boxing and it is sanctioned by the nevada state athletic commission the chairman
14:31is dr elias ganham our physicians appointed at ringside this evening dr flip homanski dr margaret
14:37goodman dr william berliner and dr charles signorino timekeepers at the bell also keeping count of the
14:44lockdowns we have jane broadfoot and mike lassella introducing to you our three judges scoring this
14:50back from ringside all three from las vegas nevada carol castellano patricia jarman manning and dave
14:58moretti and introducing to you our referee in charge of this bout jay nady all right fans here we go
15:07with
15:07our women's special attraction once again scheduled for eight rounds of boxing introducing to you for
15:13introducing to you first on my right fighting out of the blue corner wearing red trunks with white trim
15:19hailing from maya gues puerto rico now living in miami florida she weighed in at an even 140 pounds
15:30with a record of 17 wins three losses and one draw she has nine wins coming by way of knockout
15:37please welcome a fighter they call brown sugar belinda laraquente
15:49and her opponent across the ring ready to fight on my left in the red corner wearing pink trunks with
15:55white trim fighting out of orlando florida by way of west virginia she weighed in the same as her
16:02opponent 140 pounds even with only one loss in the last 10 years her record stands at 38 wins two
16:10losses
16:10and two draws with 30 wins coming by way of knockout ladies and gentlemen please welcome one of the top
16:17women's pound for pound boxers known as the coal miner's daughter introducing christy martin
16:30once again a referee in charge jay nady now to give instructions eight rounds of boxing schedule
16:45you have any questions i give you instructions in the dressing room i want a good clean fight
16:50obey my commands that's gonna work eight rounds
16:57bobby ches how about the keys to victory for this fight
17:01well martin she's got to keep the pressure on that's her game that's what she does best also
17:05power shots she has heavy hands and the overhand right has been her best weapon
17:15laraquente's got to establish a good jab and also use that ladder movement from the outside keep
17:19christy off balance and box smart while she's out there be smart and be careful
17:26christy martin has little patience when the bell sounds it's all about
17:29offense little defense goes in looking for the knockout laraquente a slick technical boxer who
17:35moves well and can punch good side to side and defense and she'll need those assets tonight she's
17:41never been knocked down 17 of christy's 30 knockouts in the first round 23 and three rounds or less
17:48martin checked in just before the fight at 143 just three pounds over the weigh-in
17:55yesterday laraquente remained at 140. laraquente has nice leg movement she steps around well and
18:01she just stuffed a nice jab on christy christy's looking to do just that to apply the pressure
18:05and get through the usual suffocating offense by martin in her traditional pink trunks while the
18:12incident with lucia reicher was a big distraction entering two fingers on her right hand she says it
18:17doesn't hurt when she punches the damage is near the tips of her middle and pinky fingers and when she
18:22makes a
18:23fist and hits it doesn't really affect her
18:32laraquente told her she's never been off her feet although she's been in some wars
18:36she's been waiting two years for this fight she says she's ready for anything a very confident
18:41young lady i'll tell you what she threw a nice combination there did laraquente ducked under
18:49christy's in quarter again christy also though landing three clean head down box christy told her she
18:55feels polenta is not a threat not powerful as she put it this is going to be more like facing
19:00camacho than
19:01trinidad but she did envision a call down she goes it's no knockdown come to me box
19:17left hand blocked by christy you see some swelling of red under christy's right eye one of those left
19:24looks got through pretty cleanly
19:25you saw christy just back up there and tell laraquente to come to her remember two minute
19:40rounds as this round comes to a conclusion so there's more of a sense of urgency in women's
19:46boxing as you could readily see coming up later our main event reed versus trinidad for the wba super
19:53well-to-weight title earlier tonight our featured fighters arrived at the scene here of course is
19:59the challenger felix trinidad when you think about all the significant factors going into tonight's fight
20:05the experience the weight who's got the heavier power the risk factor trinidad fighting a dangerous
20:10opponent you also have to include the weather if it drops but it probably won't be a factor
20:15because so far so good earlier tonight the arrival of the champion david reed being from philly
20:21certainly more used to the cooler temperatures as opposed to the puerto rican felix trinidad he says
20:28he's fought before on the outside very confident that they will not have any adverse effect david reed
20:36and felix trinidad later all right here's round two as christy comes charging right out scheduled for eight
20:55christy feels she's at the top of her game right now retirement isn't even an issue she feels she's
21:01better and stronger today and doing the technical things better as well
21:07so far christy's not landing the big shots as cleanly she'd like but she just walked into a right hand
21:12there good clean right by belinda lara cuente as she backs off right now she's a very savvy slick
21:18boxer and she's only 21 years old
21:22she's 17 3-1 with nine knockouts christy 38 2-2 with 30 ko's
21:31right now lara cuente's using a great set of legs to keep her out of trouble
21:34she's stepping off and around most of christy's stuff is falling short and not landing clean
21:44christy martin who knows only one direction straight ahead as you can see trying to go with the jab
21:49there to set up the right the three jabs miss steve and again lara cuente getting out of the way
21:54getting
21:54no harm's way here's the street fight that christy wanted and i'll tell you what christy landed a couple
22:04good shots for lara cuente got some in as well and the redness continues underneath the right eye of
22:09christy martin
22:13all right quantity continues to try and stay out of the way of those heavy punches oh a good straight
22:27round hand that nailed christy right on the head and again lara cuente ducked under there's another
22:32right hand left hook to christy got it getting the better of this exchange as well she really is
22:39steven is just by using tight defense keeping your hands and get getting under the punches
22:45round two of the books let's go to jim gray all right thank you very much we are in felix
22:51trinidad's
22:51locker room we will now talk to felix will be translated by john paul gonzalez felix you're taking
22:56a very big risk this evening uh a fight with oscar de la hoya means millions and millions of dollars
23:01to
23:01you it's at risk now should you lose are you concerned about this well si está preocupado
23:06porque esto es un gran riesgo estás tomando una pelea con oscar de la hoya significa muchÃsimo dinero
23:11millones de dólares qué piensas tú en este momento bueno si si hablando de riesgo pues el riesgo vale la
23:17pena en una pelea por un tÃtulo mundial y después pues posiblemente pues puede ser que en alguna pelea con
23:23oscar pero en este momento es david hit well the world title is worth the risk but i'm doing what
23:29i have
23:29to do at this time only the second time in seven years that you will be fighting at this weight
23:33154
23:34is it an issue for you well i'm gonna have he says much more strength it's a better weight for
23:54me
23:54and my punch is gonna be harder all right good luck to you we look forward to the fight okay
23:59thank you
24:00all right back out to you steve all right jim round three laraquente came out beat christie to the
24:05punch with the right hand over the jab and i'll tell you what right now i think she's frustrating
24:09christie you can see christie mimicking her and doing some things it's not characteristic of christie to do
24:14this and fall into this game normally she just goes to work and does her thing laraquente just smiling back
24:19at
24:19her showing a good mix of boxing skills punching and connecting then able to duck beneath christie's
24:25counter unbelievable she throws a nice three punch combination makes christie miss and i'll tell
24:29you what i don't think christie's used to this kind of troubles this kind of trouble especially with a
24:34fighter so much younger lesser experience all right quality just smiling back at those taunts a heavy right
24:39hand there and then a clubbing shot illegally by christie martin you can't do that across your foul
24:44this time okay keep your head up dirty tactics by christie martin
24:51oh what a right hand by laraquente the key this fight steve laraquente's defense christie has not
24:57been able to land clean but she's been getting hit consistently a little extra speed on laraquente's
25:03punches along with good upper body movement and leg movement has been the difference
25:08the upstart melinda laraquente looking very impressive here trying to pull out the upset
25:16round three scheduled for eight
25:24laraquente continues to have that grin on her face cut under christie's right eye right over christie's
25:28right eye she's cut one of those left hooks found its mark and those jabs are finding their mark too
25:35from
25:37laraquente's good right hand there by laraquente continues to score
25:47steve that with laraquente's best round
25:58good job good job good job all right it's no problem
26:01i know i'm just not you're just up a little bit too straight baby just a little bit too straight
26:06okay
26:06breathe in first before you're in the water
26:11watch out laraquente gets the shots in she jumps in nice jab there and moves out of the way another
26:16jab right hand hook and again christie's right hand raises and misses she's using her legs and
26:21using her arms upper body movement reacting very well later the lead right hand and here's where i
26:27think that christie just starts to bang on top of the head and just blatantly foul that's uh
26:31that's just an awkward situation have i won a round yet yeah yeah that's even that's when you know
26:40a fighter is in trouble when they actually won any rounds yet break the inside you break the inside
26:45watch your right hand and you're being very diplomatic and kind when you say awkward situation
26:52well lucia reicher earlier this week taunted christie martin out of the rainbow
26:56laura belinda laraquente is doing it inside you know i had an interview with stan hoffman who
27:01manages reicher and said that reicher just came to verbally challenge and call out christie and
27:07christie said some very foul things about her and shoved her and that's when she hit her it wasn't
27:10until she got shoved that she did it so that's going to be the rumor from here and there the
27:16thought
27:16also crossed my mind that it might have been ripped oh what a shot by laraquente straight on the face
27:23of
27:24christy martin with the chin and she keeps smiling but she's getting hit she's never been down christy
27:31martin never got off her face now she's wailing away at the body but i'm able to cover up
27:39well this is the most damage we've seen christy martin absorb
27:44from a 21 year old young lady from miami by way of puerto rico christy's just wailing away
27:50but laraquente has answers for everything well she's been lucky enough to get it she's holding
27:55her hands up high christy's coming wide with everything really wide using her strength
27:59to try and bully laraquente but she's not throwing straight clean punches
28:11it's been non-stop action as we approach the final 30 seconds of round four nice combination to the body
28:16by laraquente and near her a jab and belinda able to do the job while she's going backwards not too
28:23many fighters can do that muhammad ali's the only one i know besides sugary robinson could be to death
28:27going in the wrong direction it might be a little too early to say this but could we be seeing
28:36the
28:36emergence of a new star in women's boxing you know what at 21 years old with her limited experience i
28:42think she is a star in the making even if she loses here tonight because she is doing something to
28:46a
28:46seasoned pro that can fight so quick landing with those jabs almost good well
29:03she says i'm getting short of hair and they're saying breathe through your mouth not through your
29:08nose so she is getting tired
29:10the one facing you says keep throwing the right hand right hand
29:25i want you to jab jab and send that right hand home don't raise up stab that front foot
29:34six minutes of fighting left so
29:41christy martin does possess a lot of power but she looks a lot slower than the 21 year old
29:47challenger and that lack of speed is enabling laraquente to slip a lot of punches her husband
29:55gave her good advice going behind the jab and throw the right hand home but she's throwing it
29:59looping around and over the top and is not getting there quick enough laraquente has good reflexes
30:03and she moves very well
30:09big night for belinda laraquente to this point and the fans at home see it that way too i have
30:14it
30:14three to one i think christy did some damage in the last round but that the first three rounds were
30:20clearly laraquente's maybe the best punch of the night by christy martin just now straight right hand
30:29but it didn't seem to phase laraquente much
30:36now christy beginning to look frustrated
30:41one-two combination to the head by laraquente
30:43laraquente does something that christy's not used to she blocks the shot steps off and fires back
30:49and christy's not used to getting hit after she lands some of her heavier punches
30:52very smart intelligent fight being fought by laraquente
30:56wild swing and a miss off the left hook by martin
31:06now laraquente digging to the ribs
31:09nice uppercut left hook by laraquente there cc blocks two punches slips under one
31:13goes to the body with a nice combination curious exchange here that was some good boxing steve
31:20right back at him now less than 30 seconds left in round five what a pace to this fight i
31:26thought
31:29well laraquente just walked into a straight right and she just shrugged it off you know what christy's
31:35right hand has been going over the top over the top over the top and it's just not getting there
31:39laraquente straight like that right hand right down the pipe i was just saying straight and she's
31:44getting it there first laraquente maybe the hand is bothering christy martin the result of that brawl
31:50los angeles with lucia reicher
31:55let's dissect this thing even further bobby as we go inside the ropes well we're talking about the
32:02straightness of that right hand and laraquente has been landing it regularly on the inside there's
32:06one's over that one's over the top this this one's straight this one's probably going to be another
32:13straight right hand counter right down the middle not looping this one's right over the top of the jab i
32:17mean she has been consistent with it and accurate i talked about it early had to be accurate and the
32:22jab as well
32:29you just work hard work hard you're not working hard enough they're not happy because she's not
32:35jabbing and not punching enough you wanted to fight let's go get the fight
32:43forget about water throw your hands you wanted this fight now you got it
32:47belinda laraquente who is a boxer but as you can see not afraid to trade punches and this against
32:53arguably the heaviest puncher in women's boxing you know after the third round i thought that christy
32:58martin's weight and strength the way she applies her body pressure was getting to laraquente make
33:03her move tiring her out but the last round laraquente came back very solidly oh there's a straight right
33:08hand by christy martin and christy also eating some level what an exchange this is
33:16oh left hand right on the chin of laraquente that just continue to go out
33:22i'll tell you what christy got some good shots in but she took as good as she got laraquente
33:27using better defense not as reckless fighting very well well that brought a lot of fans to their
33:32feet here at caesars
33:44how they both look to regroup that was a very exhausting sequence of punches and absorption
33:58that was like something out of a rocky movement nice body shot there by laraquente
34:04christy's a little tired she's easing up the pressure and the pace
34:07laraquente's still moving but also there's a little bit of fatigue in her step as well yeah
34:12buying some time around here by going in retreat and also on on the end of those jabs by another
34:22laraquente is laying there right hand so frequently it's it's amazing that christy hasn't made the
34:26adjustments she's better than that
34:33well christy has always been one to take a couple of shots to deliver one but this time
34:38she may be paying the price
34:43again laraquente able to duck away
34:48laraquente just missed with that combination
34:52we're here at caesar's palace in las vegas nevada a lot of boxing history here in this backyard we're
35:02out behind the pool behind the hotel at caesar's this is a 10 000 seat temporary arena they're going
35:09to tear this down at some point put in a uh an arena for good and this will be the
35:14home of some tremendous
35:15fights from this point on
35:19ali holmes was in this area leonard hearns and later tonight trinidad versus reed
35:28martin has a good sequence here very early in the round she comes on but see again the punches are
35:32going
35:32around around around around there's a nice right hand that lands but most of the stuff is going
35:35around she walks into a few shots in the middle there but laraquente's defense and tight on the
35:41inside making the difference keeping her in the fight and allowing her punches to land a little more
35:45creamy but better round for christy dr flipper maski was into that christy martin corner a moment ago
35:53checking things out christy uh taking somewhat of a beating here she may be thinking hey i'd rather
35:59fight lucia reicher right now see the defensive moves that laraquente is using that is being the
36:09difference in this fight christy is missing with so many of those big shots and getting tagged it's
36:14just amazing that she hasn't made certain adjustments we have seen some furious exchanges
36:19mark the first 45 seconds of the last round looks like christy will need to do more of that in
36:26the
36:26final two rounds to claim a victory this is round seven
36:32she is behind now she's got to knock belinda belinda has never been knocked down well christy's
36:40going to turn it on that's what she does this is the type of fight she likes except for the
36:44punishment she's taking she's throwing everything at laraquente right now everything
36:49punishing shots to the body and head look at these shots by christy martin but they're being absorbed
36:55by the very game laraquente
36:59laraquente standing in there blocking well taking your shots against encounters clearly it was christy's
37:04nomination of that particular sequence but not enough damage was done i think for christy to catch up
37:10she's got a big hole to close and only two rounds to do it
37:15our 20 just weathering that onslaught by christy martin
37:23what a barrage that was
37:27well if that punch had connected christy would have been out
37:34martin tries to counter with a straight right but belinda laraquente is too quick
37:42and those jabs are just not finding a home by christy martin because of the speed and movement
37:47and quickness of laraquente now christy says you want to fight or what
37:59is
37:59last round last round baby easy easy with the water easy with everybody first
38:05everybody first
38:08last round we need this round i think you went there i'm part of it sir pretty baby
38:13who those body punches were for you this is the last round this is the last round thank you
38:17Thank you, thank you, I was right before, when I said that.
38:27They're actually telling her we're losing this, we need this round.
38:32Come on, air, you need air.
38:35This guy on the outside keeps telling her we're losing, we're losing.
38:38Hey, Belinda, Belinda, hands high and a punch with your hands, you're losing this fight.
38:48I don't know what they're talking about.
38:49Bobby, do you think she's losing?
38:50I think that Chrissy needs two knockdowns or a knockout to win the fight.
38:55I think she's too far behind to win the fight by decision without two knockdowns, not just one.
38:59One could pull her even, but two to win it.
39:01Eighth and final round.
39:03Belinda has been the distance her last five fights, so she's in very good condition.
39:08Chrissy just looks like she's been plotting next to the 21-year-old Lara Quinty.
39:13Oh, beautiful one-two combination to the head by Lara Quinty.
39:16A straight right hand by Martin, but again it's being absorbed by Lara Quinty.
39:20See, Lara Quinty's hitting Chrissy on the wing and then getting out of the way.
39:22This is aggressiveness, but not effective aggressiveness by Chrissy.
39:26Like that.
39:26She's coming in, but she's getting hit.
39:28She's not always hitting back.
39:31Chrissy Martin going for the home run punch, the haymaker.
39:37I don't think she has much choice here, Steve, and she's trying to get it home.
39:42Looking, obviously, to knock out Lara Quinty here.
39:45And this thing in dramatic fashion.
39:47Can she pull it off?
39:49Body shots by Chrissy Martin.
39:52Heavy shots.
39:57I don't think Chrissy's ever missed this many jabs in three successive fights.
40:02I don't think she's ever fought anybody this fast.
40:08Lara Quinty consistently getting away from a lot of those punches.
40:13One-two combination again to the head by Lara Quinty.
40:16And then she gets out of there.
40:18Wisely.
40:21Thirty seconds left in the fight.
40:26And we may have a new star being born in women's boxing.
40:31Boring a knockout right here, Steve.
40:33I think Lara Quinty has not only made her point, but she's won the fight.
40:36And she's done it in a very, very convincing fashion.
40:39And Chrissy pull off the dramatic knockout in the final ten seconds.
40:43She's going to need it.
40:48She's going for everything here, but time is running on.
40:51That's it.
40:54I do believe a star is born.
40:58And her name is Belinda Lara Quinty.
41:03Christy got outboxed the old-fashioned way.
41:05She got outsmarted, too.
41:07And Belinda earned it.
41:10Good job. Good job.
41:13Well, they lifted Christy Martin up in that corner.
41:16Her trainer, manager, husband, Jim Martin, doing the honors, but...
41:20I don't know.
41:21It's now the hands of the judges.
41:23Harold Castellano, Dave Moretti, Patricia Jarvin Manning off from Las Vegas.
41:29Don't forget that we're in Vegas.
41:31Where anything can happen.
41:33Well, you're starting early, aren't you?
41:35Yeah.
41:39It's the fight game.
41:46Beautiful performance by Belinda Lara Quinty, born in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
41:53Grew up in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
41:55Now living in Miami.
41:58And you have to wonder if that skirmish at the L.A. Boxing Club took something out of Christy Martin.
42:04She said it was a distraction, but that she was physically and mentally fit for tonight's fight.
42:11But I wonder if that will be used as somewhat of an excuse.
42:15Well, if she should lose tonight, it's going to do a lot to hurt the possibility of that fight happening.
42:19She was in trouble. I was never in trouble.
42:21Well, there's no question about that.
42:22We do understand that Lucia is in attendance here tonight as well.
42:27And she's probably shaking her head.
42:28She's probably going, I want her to fight Christy.
42:30Well, maybe the fight will still come off at some point, no matter what happens here tonight.
42:3721-year-old, former teenage model, young lady who wants to own a funeral home someday, Belinda Lara Quinty.
42:53All right, we're just about set for the official decision.
42:56Let's send it on up to Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
43:00Ladies and gentlemen, after eight rounds of boxing here at Caesar's Palace, we go to the scorecards with a majority
43:08decision.
43:09Here are the score totals.
43:10Judge at ringside, Dave Moretti scores about 76 to 76.
43:15Even a draw.
43:17Overruled by judges Carol Castellano and Patricia Jarman Manning.
43:21Both of them scored about 77 to 75.
43:24In favor of the winner, the coal miner's daughter, Christy Martin.
43:32What a wonderful people.
43:35Incredulous.
43:36And you hear the reaction of the crowd.
43:39Personally, I thought she got out-boxed.
43:41I thought she got out-worked.
43:42I thought that she had the right idea, but she didn't do it well.
43:46She came in, she put on the pressure, but she ate a lot on the way in.
43:49And when she got inside, she ate a lot.
43:51I don't think she won the fight.
43:53I'm not sure what this does, but sure it does not hurt Lara Quinty.
43:58I don't think it can help Christy Martin.
44:00I think a tainted victory for Christy Martin.
44:02I thought that Lara Quinty was robbed.
44:05Things off to a controversial start.
44:07Hopefully it's not an omen here in Las Vegas.
44:13Unbelievable.
44:15All right, coming up next.
44:17It'll be Joppy versus Zuniga.
44:20William Joppy, the WBA middleweight champ.
44:22But this is a non-title fight into the dressing room.
44:25A pro career that began in 93 has seen him win, lose, and then regain the middleweight crowd.
44:30Always extremely cool and confident.
44:33Survived a career-threatening car accident a little over a year ago.
44:36Surrounded by solid boxing people, many of whom guided the stellar career of Sugar Ray Leonard.
44:44We'll see him a little bit later.
44:45We're set for post-fight reaction right now.
44:47And let's go to Jim Hill in the ring with Christy Martin.
44:51All right, Steve, thank you very much.
44:52Well, Christy, you know, it was a very unpopular decision here.
44:56Yeah, well, you know, I'm not going to make any excuses.
44:58I'm going to put up a hell of a fight.
44:59I mean, excuse me, she ran a hell of a track meet.
45:01And, you know, I'm a fighter.
45:02I'm not a sprinter.
45:03So it was hard for me to catch up with her.
45:05And, you know, I'm not going to sit here and make an excuse, but I have had a hell of
45:08a week.
45:09Yeah, that's exactly right.
45:10But she did display some boxing skills that you, quite frankly, haven't seen before.
45:14Yeah, I said coming in, she's probably the best skilled boxer, mover, runner that I have seen.
45:19And I was right.
45:20You know, I did my studying and I was right.
45:22But, you know, she ran a little faster than I could run tonight.
45:25But I think I landed the harder shots.
45:26What about the incident that happened in Los Angeles with Lucille Riker?
45:29I know there was some concern that you might not be able to fight tonight because of the injury to
45:33your hand.
45:34Well, I have a few bumps and bruises, some serious bumps and bruises.
45:36But I had a commitment to Mr. King in this show.
45:40And one thing about Christy Martin, I try to always live up to my commitments.
45:45And I try to come out and put on a good show.
45:47Of course, I'm disappointed that I didn't knock her out.
45:48But, you know, I just couldn't run fast enough to catch her tonight.
45:51But as far as the thing with Lucille Riker is concerned, was that weighing very heavily on your mind throughout
45:55the course of the week?
45:56Of course.
45:56I mean, to be honest with you, I haven't left my room simply because I'm paranoid.
46:01So, Lucille, you know, I hope you're happy.
46:03But you're going to pay.
46:04And I tell you what.
46:05You think you punch so hard.
46:06You think you're a man.
46:07You think you punch like a man.
46:08You don't even hit like a boy.
46:10You're a punk.
46:11Is she next on the list for you?
46:13Whoever Don King says he wants me to fight next, if he wants me to do a rematch, if he
46:17wants me to fight, whatever woman he wants me to fight, I'm game.
46:20Okay.
46:21Alright, Christy, thank you so very much.
46:23Let's find out.
46:23Belinda, come in here for a quick second, please, dear.
46:26There was some thought that you had said earlier that you would not win a decision here in Las Vegas.
46:31How disappointed are you?
46:32Because most of the people thought here that you won the fight.
46:36Actually, I really want a rematch.
46:38This is a highway robbery, to be honest.
46:42If she wants to, I could go eight more right now.
46:44Because everybody saw me win, even though people in the house saw me win seven and one.
46:50I was listening to Steve Albert and also Ferdi Pacheco and Bobby Chess, and at the end of the last
46:54round, everyone said a new star was born.
46:57And I know that has to be very disappointing to you.
46:59I don't know what fight the judges were watching, but I really know that I won, even though her corner
47:07saw me win.
47:09So, anyways.
47:10Obviously, your stock has risen with this fight, even though you did lose the decision.
47:13How would you like to fight Lucia Riker?
47:17Anyways, I'm ready for anybody, and Lucia Riker is a good fighter.
47:20I admire her, I got respect for her, and I got respect for Christy.
47:24But what they did right now, it wasn't fair.
47:27All right, Belinda, thank you so much, and good luck to you in the future.
47:30Okay, Steve, back to you at the ringside now.
47:32All right.
47:34Okay, Steve, back to you at the ringside now.
47:36All right, Jim, I do agree with Belinda as far as the judges.
47:39Carol Castellano had Christy winning, 77 to 75.
47:44Patricia Jarman Manning had Christy up, 77 to 75.
47:47And it was a draw in the eyes of Dave Moretti, 76 to 76.
47:52So Christy Martin wins the majority decision, and that's that.
47:57Yeah, two of the three judges gave the last round of Laracuente,
47:59where I thought she clearly couldn't lose.
48:02All right, let's check the online scoring results,
48:04and this is a little bit more reflective of the way the fans here saw it.
48:08Belinda Laracuente, 7, Christy Martin, 1.
48:11What a disparity between the folks at home and the judges here.
48:14I added 5, 2, and 1.
48:16Well, if you took part, we thank you for your participation.
48:18The online voting will continue with the start of our next bout,
48:20Chappie versus Zuniga.
48:22It's all leading up to our main event, Reid versus Trinidad.
48:26For more on that, let's go to Jim Gray. Jim?
48:29All right, well, we've jumped across the hallway now
48:31in the locker room of David Reid, the champion this evening.
48:34David, let me ask you, you have said that you want a war with Felix Trinidad.
48:38You're not going to try and move around like Oscar De La Hoya did.
48:41What is it that you have seen that makes you think you can win a war with Felix Trinidad?
48:46He's never lost a fight.
48:47Well, you know, I hit harder. I hit stronger.
48:50I'm a whole lot faster.
48:52So, you know, I just feel that confidence that I could go in there
48:55and just take it straight to Felix Trinidad.
48:58You know, he never fought me. He's undefeated, but he never fought Dave Reid.
49:02You said tonight is the night when Dave Reid can go from a boy to a man.
49:07Can you explain what you mean by that?
49:09Well, what I mean by that, you know, I'm going at a different type of level of competition.
49:14So, you know, Felix Trinidad will take me from the boy to the man stage
49:18and we will see just in another hour or so.
49:22Are you concerned about your inexperience compared to his experience?
49:25No, not really because I always use that Olympic bout, that Olympic moment up to here right now.
49:32So, you know, I'm not really worried about it.
49:35He has 36 fights. I have 14. You know, I feel good and confident. I'm ready.
49:41He's beaten two Olympic medalists in Pernell Whitaker and Oscar De La Hoya.
49:45He's looking for a third.
49:46You have said, however, that it is your plan to derail his plans and to throw this thing wide open.
49:51Well, exactly. You know, he's a 2-0 after me, 2-1.
49:56Quite confident, huh?
49:57Oh, yeah. I'm very confident, always.
49:59Why don't you think you've gotten the recognition that you feel you deserve
50:03or why do you think that you're such an unknown, having beaten 4X champions in 14 fights, all quality fights?
50:09Why do you think you're so unknown and being taken for granted by the public?
50:13Well, it takes fights like this to be known.
50:16So, after tonight, you know, I will be known all over the world.
50:20And, you know, it really doesn't matter to me.
50:23It really, I mean, it's going to come, and tonight is my time.
50:26So, I'm ready.
50:28David, best of luck. We'll let you get your hands wrapped.
50:30Thank you for your time.
50:31Thanks. Thanks.
50:31All right, let's send it back out to you, Steve.
50:33Right.
50:34A very confident David Reid as we look at the Las Vegas skyline.
50:39And while Reid boasts he'll knock Trinidad out,
50:41don't forget he hasn't scored a knockout in his last four fights.
50:45Trinidad forecasting a fourth round knockout over Reid.
50:47This is all the ingredients of a good one.
50:49The fight that has come together despite boxing's politics and distractions.
50:53Another fight involving Trinidad negotiated simultaneously.
50:56Boy, I tell you, it's been a snake bit fight card from the start.
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