BOXING AFTER DARK

Posted by simguy on 9/2/2002, 7:48 am

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Before: Showcase for heavily favoured Claire - Danes fighting one of the toughest schedules in boxing over the last year getting what most recognize as a well deserved lay up. Branch in her pro debut - yes an FCBA presence can enhance a career, but jumping a youngster in with Danes questionable management at best. Reason cited is Claire's lack of punch, but it's still a tall order. Danes fielding questions about the slight physical and attitudinal resemblance between Branch and stablemate Eliza Dushku: "That's ridiculous. Branch wants the fight, I want to stay busy - end of story. If anything, I see this girl as a proxy for Shakira - I'm going to lay down the blueprint for what I'm going to do with Colombia when I get her." Small gloves for both as per HISC demand - Claire in half and half black and white bikini, Branch in red leather bikini. Hmmm.

During R1: Branch well prepared early, rockets off her stool, goes at Claire with a crude, but effective bludgeoning. Danes defensive, staying low, starts to break up brunette rushes with little shoulder nudges in the body, dragging the front foot in a bucket as she pivots to the right, turning and blunting her opponent's aggression. Hurricane Branch over by the first minute - Danes starts to dictate, getting the flicking jab onto Michelle, getting the brunette to walk into stamping straight right hands. Beautiful left hand work from Claire late: She leans in on her front foot, slashes at the waist, rock steps out at a 45 degree angle onto her right foot to draw Michelle forward, rock steps back in with a little shoulder nudge, then picks Branch up the licking hook on the mouth while slidestepping back. Branch trying close up, walks into Claire's covering jab - poking, chiselling at the mouth as Danes melts away. Danes painting by numbers for points takes the first.

R2: Classic tactical error for Branch - she's tentative now, but not backing entirely off - giving Claire just enough pace to work with. Danes timing Branch for counters early, mostly cuffing check-hooks as she slides away and lets Michelle's own momentum do the damage. End of the first minute - Claire weaves in with a shoulder nudge, licks the body a hook, doubles up a stroking hook on the chin, steps out as BRANCH TAKES A KNEE! Michelle up quickly, unhurt, but startled - Danes starts to grin. All Claire, all the time. Danes ramping the tempo to max, gets on her girl with a bewildering lather of batting, swatting punches, spending 6 to land 1 as Branch hunches forward behind crossed arms. Danes not setting down on the shots, just basting Michelle hip to head with slapping leather, using her shoulder to brace and wrong-foot the brunette, then pivot around her to work the angle. Branch helpless, buffetted, struggling forward - by the bell, she's wobbly butt from accumulation, busted up in the mouth and staring. Danes breezy back to her stool.

R3: Beside the word "Mercy" in the dictionary, no mention is made of Claire Danes. Danes tearing it up on Branch without restraint this round, easily the most one-sided action of the blonde's career. She sets up midring, using the rock step in and out, lashing in lefts to the belly, rights to the kidney, proceeding through pivots in a tight circle around her girl. Breathtaking out-in attack - Branch unable to respond, just turning, squaring up, taking it. Brunette broken down after a heartless first minute - Danes starts mixing in a jolting short right hand, placing it on the eye, coming back with a slinging short hook from in close as Branch's head begins to bobble. Constant shoulder propping sets up double, triple left hooks on the belly - small glove tapping out hard and sharp against muscle. When Danes wants a break - she ties up around her girl's arms, grinds her sweaty tousle against Branch's punished face to get the heavier girl to the ropes. Final minute - Claire just heaping it on. Branch seated in the strands, hands up weak, blubbering from abuse - Danes leaning in on her front foot to stroke and stroke behind the elbow, leaning back to avoid receipts, stamping the right hand up top to set up more lashing hooks downstairs. At the bell, a ruined Michelle Branch sits destitute, tilting on numb hips - Danes shoulders her up, throws a meanspirited elbow to the solar plexus to draw a woozy cry of agony from the battered pop star. Claire pulled back and issued a warning for roughouse - she's just loving the sight of her handiwork. It's too much for Branch: she gives it up weepy on her stool - TKO3 via submission Claire Danes.

After: Danes showcase turns out to be just that - she can't put Branch down, but crams 10 rounds of constant punching into 3 to introduce Michelle to the harsh world of FCBA matchmaking. Commission being censured for allowing the mismatch - no word on whether Branch will be continuing this harrowing promotional path. "Michelle Williams has Rachel Stevens, I've got Michelle Branch," beams an untouched Claire in victory, "it's nice to be able to step back and give your fans a little treat now and again. I'd stick with it if I were Michelle. She could give Britney a hard dime right now from what I saw." Saucy wink from Claire - nobody twists a dagger like Danes.



sim guy

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