Maria Gonzales vs Jillian Russell

By Ana Ruiz and Jillian Russell

Maria and Jillian fight a rematch to a fight that ended in a draw five years ago.

[Jillian] “I had been contacted by a Mexican promoter who was putting a card together in Irving Texas. He wanted me to fight a Mexican lady named Maria Gonzalez. Maria and I had met as amateurs when she was very young and fought furiously for 8 rounds only to have the judges call it a draw. The promoter was offering good money so I agreed even though I was somewhat concerned about being 9 years older than Maria. The fight would be held at the Anatole Hotel in Dallas and be scheduled for 10-2 minute rounds wearing 8 oz. gloves. The contract called for us to wear low rise short legged satin trunks and a satin sports bra.”

[Jillian] “Ken, Kelly and I arrived in Dallas 2 days before the fight. We stayed at the Anatole Hotel and I worked out at The Tenth Street Gym. I was plagued by pre fight jitters from the time I got on the plane and it got worse the afternoon before the fight at the weigh-in. I was down to my bikini panties and bra but still came in a pound over the contract weight limit of 135 pounds. I went to the gym in the hotel and worked the pound off and had to weigh in again. I tried to sleep late the day of the fight but was too hyper plus my stomach was in turmoil so I couldn’t eat. Finally it was time to go to the dressing room. Ken gave me a massage before wrapping my hands. I dressed in my off white satin shorts and sports bra before Ken laced my gloves on. I warmed up in the dressing room and after what seemed like hours, actually only 10 minutes, we were called to the ring. Maria was already in the ring and was wearing light blue trunks and sports bra. I felt like I was going to be sick as we waited for the introductions.”

[Announcer 1] “Ladies and gentlemen, our promoter has put together a dynamite main event. These two ladies met as amateurs and after 8 tough rounds the bout was called a draw which neither lady agreed with. They will settle their dispute tonight as to which one is the superior fighter. This fight is scheduled for 10 rounds and the ladies will be wearing 8 oz. gloves. In the corner to my left from the USA, she is 33 years old, she stands 5’ 8” tall and weighed in at 135 pounds with a record of 17 wins, 3 losses with 9 wins coming by knockout; I give you the dazzling redhead, Jillian Russell.” [Applause] “In the corner to my right, from Mexico City, [Applause interrupts the announcer] “In the corner to my right, from Mexico City, she is 24 years old, she stands 5’ 7” tall and weighed in at 132 lbs with a record of 12 wins, 2 losses with 9 wins by knockout, I give you the stunning brunette Maria “Dynamite” Gonzalez.” [Thunderous applause for the hometown girl] “The referee has called both ladies and seconds to the center of the ring. Wow, what a stare down as the ladies glare at each other. The referee calls for them to touch gloves, Russell taps Gonzales’s gloves and turns quickly, returning to her corner.”

[Announcer 2] “Gonzalez has the age advantage at 9 years younger with almost the same professional experience and a better knockout percentage with her dynamite right hand. She is capable of one punch knockouts so not only will Russell have to be cautious but she will also have her work cut out for her.”

[Announcer 1] “I think we are in for a real entertaining fight. Both ladies look fantastic wearing low rise trunks which expose below their belly buttons. Russell takes her mouthpiece from her boyfriend, Ken, and appears ready as she dances in her corner. Gonzales takes a sip of water and appears very eager to get started.”

[Announcer 2] “The promoter has promised a very entertaining fight and knowing the past history of these ladies it should live up to expectations. We have the opening bell. Both ladies almost charge out to meet each other and the crowd is on feet within seconds as a pier 6 brawl begins. Right, right, left, right, left, right, right, left, someone is going down. Both corners are yelling for their fighter to stop brawling and box. Right, left, right uppercut and a stunned Gonzales is on her butt on the canvas. The referee has to push Russell toward the neutral corner before starting the count. Maria shakes her head as the count continues through 3, and then rolls onto her hands and knees and stands up, taking 6 on her feet. The referee cleans Gonzales gloves and calls for the ladies to box. The Mexican still appears a little wobbly and Russell wastes no time going for the kill with a short left into Gonzales’s chest and a right to her head. Gonzales staggers back against the ropes and Russell rushes in but is met with a blistering right. Russell is down, the redhead is caught by the dynamite right of Maria Gonzales and is dumped on her back. A conscious but much disorientated Jillian Russell is sitting with a stunned look on her face as the referee runs the count up through 4. I’m sure Russell doesn’t even know what day this is. Ken, the redhead’s boyfriend/trainer is pleading for her to get up. Russell gets to her feet with some help from the ropes as the referee barks out 8. Ms. Russell’s eyes are glassy and I don’t think that she could tell you what city she’s in right now. 20 seconds remaining, can Russell survive? The referee cleans her gloves and calls “box” as Gonzales storms in nailing Russell with a left to the top of her shorts. Russell’s jaw falls open as she gasps for air and Gonzales fires several uppercuts which fail to make it to the redhead’s chin but do bounce her breasts around. The bell, Russell is saved by the bell. Over to you Jim for your comments.”

[Announcer 2] – “All I can say Fred, what a first round. There is no way that this fight is going 10 rounds. One of these ladies and I’m not sure which one is in for an early night. Russell is still shaky as she goes to her corner. Ken, Russell’s boyfriend, is quick to get an ice pack on the back of her neck, while his sister, Kelly, sponges Jillian off. Ken brings out the End-Swell tool and works it under Jillian’s left eye as he admonishes her for brawling. The conversation in the Gonzales corner is a little more heated as Maria’s trainer scolds her in Spanish for not sticking to their fight plan. Gonzales’s corner is holding an ice pack on the left side of her face which appears to be puffing up. There goes the warning buzzer for round 2.”

[Announcer 1] – “Both ladies are up on their feet as the bell sounds for round 2. Russell still looks a little glassy eyed but moves right in on Gonzales blasting a jab through that lands on the Mexican’s nose. Gonzales is quick to come back with a right, left into the top of Russell’s shorts. We can hear Russell groan as she is hurt by those blistering body shots. Russell move back as she tucks her elbows in to protect her belly with Gonzales chasing her. Russell steps forward and catches Gonzales coming in with a firm right to her head. The Mexican lady is staggered, she brings her gloves high to protect her head and Russell goes low with a left to Gonzales’s naval followed by a right uppercut that bounces her breasts. Gonzales backpedals and Russell traps her in the corner with a pair of brutal body shots that land just below her waistband. Gonzales is hurt, maybe by a low punch but the referee has no intention of stopping the action as the raven haired beauty goes to her knees. Gonzales is in pain as the count reaches 5 and she pushes up onto her feet by 7. The ref cleans her gloves quickly and calls out “Box.” Russell moves in missing with a right and Gonzales comes back with a left, followed by a right to Russell’s face. The ladies begin to slug it out again. There’s blood on Russell’s white glove, yes, Gonzales has been cut. Russell has opened up a cut along her left eyebrow. The Mexican lady clinches tying up Russell. The blood from Gonzales’s eyebrow is dripping on Russell’s shoulder and chest. The referee pulls the ladies apart and has a quick look at the cut before calling for them to box. Time runs out in round 2.”

[Announcer 2] – “The ladies did box more than they brawled in that round and the pace slowed a little but it was still exciting. Gonzales’s corner is working on her cut eyebrow as they sponge their lady off and give instructions in Spanish. The left side of Gonzales’s face continues to puff up. Russell had a better round but was hurt by Gonzale’s punches to her body and breasts. The left side of Russell’s face is swollen and she now has a mouse under her eye. There is the buzzer for round 3 and both ladies are on their feet.”

[Announcer 1] – “Thanks Jim, Gonzales’s corner has stopped the bleeding on her eyebrow. Russell moves in and the ladies exchange a couple of body punches. Gonzales misses and Russell unloads a brutal shot to the Mexican’s liver. Gonzales cries out as that one hurt her but comes back quickly with a right just below the top of Russell’s trunks followed by a left uppercut to the redhead’s chin. Russell is hurt and stumbles backward into the ropes with Gonzales unloading lefts and rights. Russell pitches forward falling face first on the mat. A confused and hurt Ms. Russell is up on her hands and knees looking to her corner for help. Ken is encouraging his girlfriend to get up and continue. Russell is up at the count of 8, looking a little shaky. The ref cleans her gloves and calls box. Gonzales moves in with a left into Russell’s trunks. The redhead squeals out from the pain of the low punch as she drops to one knee. Her boyfriend, Ken is on the apron yelling at the referee who instructs Ken to leave the apron or his lady will be disqualified. The referee doesn’t acknowledge the punch as being a foul and picks up the count at 6. Russell at first appears to be staying down but then gets to her feet by 9. Gonzales now looks very confident as she stalks the American, maybe too confident as Russell steps forward blasting a right into Gonzales’s left eye. Blood and sweat fly into the air as the cut on the Mexican’s eyebrow is opened up. The blood is obscuring Gonzales’s vision and with the Mexican lady’s gloves high to protect her face Russell hammers Gonzales’s unprotected mid-section with several blows shortly before the bell.”

[Announcer 2] – “Another great round in this see saw battle. Russell was officially down twice even though the second time could have been from a low blow. Her boyfriend, Ken, was very upset and at one point it appeared that Ms. Russell was ready to quit but came back with some huge shots to hurt Gonzales and opened up the cut on her eyebrow. It’s a nasty cut now and could affect the outcome of the fight. Gonzales’s cut man is working feverishly on the cut as her trainer and second sponge her off and ice her bruises. Maria’s trainer is giving her instructions in Spanish and my interpreter tells me that he is telling her that she has to go for a quick knockout before the cut gets any worse. Meanwhile in the Russell corner, they have sponged their girl off and have an ice bag on the back of her neck as Kelly uses the End-Swell tool under Jillian’s eyes and Ken massages his girlfriend’s tummy and groin. Ken is giving Jillian instructions and trying to pump her up to be more aggressive. The warning buzzer sounds for round 4. It’s all yours Fred.”

[Announcer 1] – “Gonzales’s cut man has the bleeding from her eyebrow stopped that is until Russell clobbers it again. It is evident that the ladies are tiring. Gonzales has come out head hunting looking for the knockout. Russell stays with her as they exchange some heavy punches much like the first round action. Russell unloads a right to the left side of Gonzales’s head and the blood begins to flow from Gonzales’s eyebrow. The raven haired beauty is rocked. Gonzales retaliates with a right cross, a left under Russell’s naval, another right to Russell’s head. Russell has been cut by the last punch. It’s under her left eye on her cheek. Russell is confused and Gonzales delivers a right uppercut that drops the redhead on her butt. Russell is dazed and again looking to her corner for help, blood is running down her face onto her neck and down onto her chest. Ken and Kelly in the Russell corner are urging Jillian to get up. The referee has the count at 6 as Ms. Russell struggles up just beating the 10. The ref cleans her gloves and calls for the ladies to box. Gonzales is on her foe in a heartbeat with a left into the top of Russell’s trunks followed by the dynamite right uppercut that snaps Jillian Russell’s head back. The redhead crashes to the canvas coming to rest flat on her back, eyes closed, and breasts heaving up and down with each sporadic breath. This could be the end. The referee pushes a very tired Gonzales to a neutral corner and picks up the count, 4….5….6…. Blood is seeping from Jillian Russell’s cheek and pooling on the canvas. Ms. Russell’s off white bra is now crimson. The redhead is slowly getting on her hands and knees and she starts to get up and manages to barely beat the count at 9. She looks hurt and the ref looks directly into her eyes asking her if she can continue, she nods her head, and the ref cleans her gloves, and calls for the fight to resume. There are less than 40 seconds left in the round, Gonzalez fires a couples of fast left jabs snapping Russell’s head back. Russell lands on Gonzales’s face opening up the cut and the blood begins to flow. Russell’s corner is shouting for her to protect herself. In desperation Russell manages to wrap her arms around the Mexican lady tying her up in a clinch. The ref quickly moves to separate the fighters but the bell rings to end round 4.”

**

(Announcer 2) – “Wow what a great fight! Both ladies have delivered and taken a lot of punishment. I can’t figure out how are able to continue! In both corners the cut men are working to stop the bleeding. In Ms. Russell’s corner her boyfriend is worried about her being very tired. Ken is using the End Swell tool on Ms. Russell’s eye as it continues to swell. He asks his girlfriend if she wants to continue the match and she nods. He tells her that she can’t give Maria the opportunity to get in close and that she must block her right hand or she will find herself on the mat. Meanwhile in Maria’s corner, things are a bit more optimistic as her cut man does a great job of stopping the bleeding. They apply ice to her swollen face and her trainer tells her that she must be cautious but keep the pressure on her opponent by attacking her body to force her guard down so she can finish her off with her right hand. The bell rings and round 5 begins.”

[Announcer 1] - “The round begins with both fighters moving to the center of the ring and glaring at each other. They circle each other with their guards high. Ms Russell begins the action by firing a series of fast jabs at Gonzales’s cut eye but the Mexican lady blocks them. Russell groans as she is nailed by a hard left hook to her ribs. Gonzales follows up with a vicious right to the redhead’s cut cheek. Blood is trickling down Russell’s face but the redhead counters with a left cross to the side of Gonzales’s head. The Mexican’s legs tremble as she is stunned by the punch and her guard lowers. Russell with a series of jabs opens up the cut on Gonzales’s eyebrow and forces the Mexican boxer backwards against the ropes. Russell punishes Gonzales’s midsection as Russell’s boyfriend, Ken, shouts instructions for his redhead to keep Gonzales trapped and finish her off. Gonzales’s corner is urging their fighter to get off the ropes. Gonzales slides away along the ropes and nails Russell with a straight right to her face followed by a left hook to her belly. Russell is hurt but Gonzales can’t take advantage as the bell sounds ending round 5.”

[Announcer 2] – “Another great round! I think this was one of the most even rounds of this match so far. Both ladies were in trouble during the round. The referee is concerned about the cut each lady has sustained and has asked the ring doctor go to each corner. In Jillian’s corner Ken and his sister are working feverishly to rejuvenate her. She seems to be taking deep breaths as her cut man works on her cheek. Ken, Russell’s boyfriend and trainer, seems unsure that his lady should continue. Russell insists on continuing and Ken sponges her with cold water as he shouts directions in her ear. In Gonzales corner her crew is working on her as her manager gives her instructions. Gonzales’s eyebrow is a mess and her cut man is having difficulty stopping the bleeding. The Mexican lady sits calmly nodding to her trainer’s instructions. I’m sure that both fighters are going out hoping to make this the last round. The bell rings and both ladies get up ready to battle once more.”

[Announcer 1] – “Both ladies move to the center of the ring to begin round 6. The fast and furious pace of this fight has taken its toll on both ladies and they do look tired. The question is, does either have the power left to score a knockout? They circle each other looking for an opening. Ms. Russell begins by firing a series of jabs to keep Gonzalez at a distance. The Mexican keeps her guard up deflecting most of Russell’s punches. Gonzalez moves forward and feints Russell with a right jab to her face bringing her guard up then delivers a hard left uppercut into the redhead’s belly just above the her trunks. Russell is hurt by the blow, her legs are rubbery. Gonzales takes advantage as Russell’s guard falls to the source of her pain. A left hook to the head rocks the redhead. Blood and sweat spray into the air. Gonzales with a vicious right hook to the jaw drops Ms. Russell face first on the mat. The referee sends Gonzales to a neutral corner then kneels beside Jillian Russell and begins the count ………….1……………2……………3!1 The redhead begins to struggle up onto her hands and knees………………….4…………………………5………………………. Ms. Russell stares at her corner blurry eyed and helpless before collapsing face first on the mat again. The ref waves his arms declaring the match over. Maria Gonzales has won this match by Knock Out!!!!!! The ref rolls Russell onto her back and removes her mouthpiece and calls the ringside Doctor and Ms. Russell’s corner to help her.”

[Announcer 2] – “A very anxious Ken places an ice pack under his girlfriend neck as he rubs her upper body with another. The doctor breaks an ammonia inhaler under Jillian’s nose which arouses the confused redhead. A traumatized Ms. Russell is helped to a sitting position then to her feet but her wobbly legs won’t support her and she is carried to her corner. The doctor checks her and tells Ken that she will be fine.”

[Announcer 1] – “Ladies and Gentlemen, the fight ends at 0:58 of the round 6 with your winner by knockout, Maria Gonzales.”

[Announcer 2] – “This is a devastating loss for Russell who expected a quick win by KO over Gonzales before moving up the welterweight ladder. I think Russell will have to evaluate her future and if she continues to box she will have to make a greater commitment to training.”

- The End -