(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Posted by simguy on 10/12/2002, 10:22 am

Before: Liu coming back from the longest lay off of her career, anxious to reassert herself at 110, "When you dominate boxing the way I did - year after year on top - it's draining, mentally more than physically. I had to take some time off after dropping the title and I feel totally rejuvenated. When I see how Mish is struggling to hold onto the title, I realize how easy it will be to recover what's mine. Frankly, this tune up against Salma will be a tougher fight than the eventual title bout. Beating Mish is just a formality for me." Hayek coming in off agonizing disappointments, notably against Paula Abdul this year, but eager to be facing Lucy, "I've never gotten a fair shake when fighting Lucy in title matches," says Salma, sniping at FCBA judges, "it's nice to know that we're coming in as equals and that I won't have to kill her to win a decision." Liu in slick low ponytail, black push up, boy cut leopard print trunks, black shoes, Salma in red bikini, black shoes - small gloves for both women.

During R1: Hayek: gloves at chin, crouching forward, sharp dips and bends side to side. Liu, loose, gangly, bounding side to side, hands at her thighs as she playfully taps jabs, leaps away. End of the first minute: Liu feints, ROCKS Salma a crazy lead right uppercut from the knees - Lucy jumping away all smiles as Hayek stomps on the spot in hurt. Hayek shakes it off, cuts off the ring and DIGS left hooks to the liver - constant swatting barrage, punctuated with short, straight right hands on the teeth. Liu on the ropes, getting worked over - defense looks a little shabby, rusty - she's getting tagged before she can slip the shots.

R2: Salma determined, coming forward, cutting off the ring exquisitely. All starts with thumping hooks in the liver, Hayek burying fists in behind that right elbow, crippling Lucy's legs. Hayek migrating up into the ribs with shocking 2 glove punching, then cashing in on chin - Liu rattling back from startling hooks on her chin, shaking her pretty head, trying to regroup. Bell to bell pressure from Hayek as she breaks Lucy down in the body this round - Liu looking cramped and achy during the break.

R3: Lucy re-establishing order with her legs, circling the perimeter, luring Salma in, picking her up with gaudy left or right uppercuts from the knees, then spinning off to either side. Liu dancing, darting in and out, potshotting haymakers as Hayek stands in the pocket, elbows in, gloves up, but unable to answer back.

R4: Salma doing a better job of timing Lucy's rushes - Hayek smart, she'll sell like she's walking in, then she'll back off, forcing Lucy to lead. Liu winging circus punches - Salma slide-stepping out, reading it well, punching with Lucy to catch her in the body. Liu obviously winded, hurting from fine rib-work - Hayek stepping to the side, feinting, using an opportunistic jab to mess up Liu's timing.

R5: Liu still mounting rushes, but they're increasingly desperate - her legs and body shreiking from Hayek's withering abuse. Salma in control, stepping around Lucy, making her come forward and when she does, Hayek slips in that thumping hook to the waist, doubling and tripling it up until Lucy staggers back. Liu confused - her attacks are being countered and when she backs out to regroup - Salma's flicking the jab, stepping around, complicating things more than usual. Terrific adjustments being made by the Mexican - she's obviously learned from past encounters with the Asian Hammer.

R6: Wide right hand, short left hook on the jaw - Liu staggered early, stepping funky as she tries to control her legs. Hayek going straight to the body - gutwrenching hooks to the ribs and liver, digging, digging, digging behind that right elbow. Liu flat footed, trying to punch with - getting banged up in furious exchanges and giving ground to the ropes. Hayek feeling it - face grinning with bloodlust - she's tight, weight forward, compact punching - little fists bashing away to the torso, chest and belly, then coming upstairs to swivel Lucy's head. Liu hurt, sinks to one knee - Hayek pushed back as she stares hungrilly at the former champ. Lucy takes 8 - ON COMES SALMA! Hayek back on the body - Oh those withering hooks, Hayek throwing gancha punches like a mini - Roberto Duran and LUCY'S WILTING! Liu no longer punching back, drooping forward, grimacing in pain as Salma works underneath with animal fury. LIU GOES DOWN! Lucy dumped to all fours, sits back on her haunches, hugging herself in pain and IT'S OVER! KO6 Salma Hayek!

After: Hayek airplaning around the ring like a soccer player - biggest win in several years for the once-dominant mighty-Mex. Liu obviously rusty, unable to keep her distance and falling into Salma's traps without thinking. Best body punching from Salma in years - her signature gancha hook absolutely ruining Lucy in this fight. "Bring on Mish Williams if she dares!" Shouts a happy Salma Hayek, "it's my goal to win another championship and I deserve the shot."

Sim Guy

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