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Posted by simguy on 12/20/2002, 4:30 pm

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)


Before: Fistic meritocracy - boxing's only rivalry based solely on Darwinian competition - these girls don't actively dislike each other, they're not competing for the same demographics or endorsements, never see the same scripts, don't have a reason to hate the other's hair. "It's simple," says Eliza, "one of us is the best fighter in boxing, and there's only ever one way to settle the debate." "It's definitely different with Kelly," observes crafty Claire Danes. "Eliza has never really gotten over the way Hu worked on her in the last bout. Dushku's lost other fights, but I think Kelly got inside her head a little bit, really got her to doubt herself the way no one else has. I think it's the only match up where Eliza doesn't think of herself as the champion coming in." Cool, professional gunslinger atmosphere during prefight - both girls relaxed, impenetrable. Eliza in red leather bikini, low ponytail, Kelly in black bikini, sport cut top, low ponytail.

During R1: Girls just settling into a rangy probing session when Dushku lands a sucker walk-away hook, catching Hu awkwardly on the temple and Kelly's legs don't look right. Eliza skeptical as Hu falters to the ropes, but presses - measuring with her right to crank vicious hooks to the rib and liver. Hu's not faking - she got clipped - she goes into that closed stance defence, leaning her right shoulder into the ropes, trying to slip punches as Dushku bats away. Kelly sidestepping with a palms-on push, spinning off the ropes, but she's shaky - Dushku stalking in an alert crouch, snapping and slashing with power shots to keep Hu backpedalling. Final minute, Kelly gets it together, luring Eliza to the ropes, flurrying and spinning off - Dushku backs off in respect as the window closes. Round to Dushku.

R2: Hu pointing her left shoulder at Dushku, right hand up at her chin to parry - she's stamping the straight right, hooking off a quick jab, pivoting smart to her left - she's got her legs back. Eliza cautious, bending forward at the waist, trying to see how close she can get when she slips a punch, but Kelly's tracking her very well with the stick. No serious contact, but Eliza can't get her hook off, can't get an angle on Hu - Kelly's making the champ come forward, picking her up with darting blows around the face.

R3: First minute sweet Kelly Hu science, pivoting around Eliza, dressing her up with the jab, landing a sharp straight right hand on the mouth. End of the first minute, Eliza erupts with a whistling right hand, missing as Hu pulls back, but Dushku steps in, sweeps the hook and catches Kelly flush on the jaw. Hu spilling to the ropes, badly shocked - she's purely defensive as Eliza pours into the breach. Dushku heartless as she sets up on her front foot, right hand tight to her cheek as she CRANKS away hooks, really tidying up on Hu's right side as the Asian buckles forward. Eliza getting underneath, levering Hu back and belting that bodkin, LaMotta style hookwork taking Kelly apart as she sits hurt in the strands. Kelly trying to clutch and spin, but Dushku's not having it - rolling barrage to the stomach blocks Hu back and she's in serious trouble down the stretch. Dushku in overdrive, dropping judicious right hands in a short chop to the jaw - Hu's eyes flickering out as she reels - withering Dushku hooks about the ribs and lower back. Kelly drooping forward, defenceless and HU GOES DOWN! Kelly drifting to all fours, trembling, dazed - she climbs the ropes at 10 but the ref WAVES IT OFF! TKO3 Eliza Dushku as Kelly lolls in a battered fog.

After: Real emotion from Eliza - tremendous killer instinct shown as she hurts Kelly consistently and piles on to force the stoppage. Hu stunned, expressionless as she allows her hands to be unwrapped - it's an awful, hollow feeling for her. Eliza jubilant, even hugging a bewildered Claire in the ring. "That was important for me," Dushku later admits, "to know I can compete with Hu, stop her the way I would any other fighter - that's huge. Now we both know it's a dangerous time when we're in the ring with each other."


sim

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