Jelena Mrdjenovich wins a tough emotional return
Unified featherweight champion Jelena Mrdjenovich (40-10-2, 19ko) faced challenger Paola Torres (12-4-1, 4ko). Furthermore, the unified champion will be entering the ring for the first time as it was reported her long-time trainer Milan Lubovac passed away earlier in the year.
The 38-year-old Canadian champion had to shake off extreme emotion, a long layoff, and defend only the WBA title while armed with a new training team.
FIREWORKS OUT THE GATE
The fight started with fireworks as the challenger came out looking to apply pressure on the champion while landing a good overhand right. However, the champion would find the range with the jab. In an attempt to slow down the pace, she went to the body out the gate. Nevertheless, the challenger would continue pressing forward, landing overhand rights. Mrdjenovich continued the body assault as they were trading punches in the middle of the ring.
In the middle rounds, this became a war. The champion was digging to the body with hard combinations followed by a left hook upstairs. The body attack appeared to pay dividends, but the challenger kept charging back with hard right hands that kept finding a home.
IT STARTED GETTING UGLY
Mrdjenovich would suffer a cut from an accidental headbutt, and like a shark that smells blood, Torres attacked with a flurry of punches. The champion would weather the storm, responding with another body assault. For some unknown reason, the champion elected to fight in a phonebooth instead of using her boxing ability. This had to be from the emotion of losing her trainer earlier in the year.
This was an all-action fight. As the fight was coming to a close, these fighters did not slow down at all. The champion realizing she was fighting the wrong fight and started to use those boxing skills, throwing the jab and using her footwork to create space. However, the challenger’s aggression and relentless pressure got her in close, where she landed the right hand and some hard body shots.
LEAVING IT ALL IN THE RING
Mrdjenovich went right back to the breadbasket every time they were in close and begin falling in love with landing the left hook. Torres again came storming back, although her punches lost some pop. Nevertheless, she continued to land good punches.
The champion made one last charge that may have saved the title. She landed a beautiful one-two punch combination and punishing hard punches to the body.
When the final bell had sounded, those in attendance clapped as both fighters left it all in the ring. The judges scored the fight 97-93, 98-92, and 96-94, allowing the champion to retain her title.
After the fight, Mrdjenovich delivered an inspiring message to the fans.
“If you are ever going through any trouble, just one foot in front of the other and get through it, cause that is all we can do right now. Thank you so much.”
By: Garrisson Bland
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