(Unified Lightweight Title)

Posted by simguy on 6/8/2002, 8:13 am

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Before: Monster rematch suits both women fine, but Berry firing the hard shots in prefight. "Bell wanted no part of Elizabeth, we all know that," says the champ, "it was up to me and my speed to take care of that business. Then she thinks: 'Halle's got the belt, now it's safe to go back in.' So here she is, looking to cherry pick, but baby, it's just not gonna happen! People think you handled me in our first match. That's fine. I just want my props when I slap you out and wave the belt in your shiny, swollen, punch-happy face." Bell taking the high road - for now, "Look, all I see is an improved fighter. A champion. Halle's come a long way and I'm looking forward to fighting her. I see a ribcage I can go to, a chin I can test, but I'm not taking anything for granted. We've done our homework on Halle and I'm ready to go." Special commentator Ashley Judd understandably miffed at ringside, "It's a title bout in name only," grumbles the brunette, "I stop both these girls inside of 6 rounds." Halle in gold bikini, Bell in dark tinted leopard print, bra style bikini.

During R1: Bell advancing behind a jarring jab to the forehead, Halle getting leggy, staying well outside, but giving up a lot of canvas. Berry avoids the shutout with some late, darting lefts and rights low to the ribcage on either side - Halle just stroking her mitts along Cat's body and pivoting out of danger - tactical first goes to Cat.

R2: Cat advancing early, cutting off the ring, establishing the jab first and foremost. Halle changing directions, hands low, but she's well outside, just getting her timing and range. Fight breaks out at the midway point. Berry turns to walk away right, then jumps in suddenly with a sneaky lead right on the chin - Bell caught cold, front foot comes off the canvas - she's hurt! Halle flashing a slashing combination to the breasts shakes Cat up and she caps the flurry with a clean hook on the chops to send Bell reeling to the ropes. Bell all shaken up, eyes glassy - Berry jumps in a hard right hand to the pit of the stomach, bodying up on follow through, then stepping to the right to clout the left hook hard across the mouth - Cat's just taking, feet wide apart, butt in the ropes - she's helpless! Vicious combination punching from Halle as she puts it to Cat with fight-winning intentions. Bell's head a-bobbling, body listing side to side in free-fall as the blows add up, but somehow, she makes it to the bell. Berry bounding away in celebration - Bell busted up, woozy, gets guidance to her stool.

R3: A grinning, playful Halle Berry takes it to the staggering challenger early. Berry with her hands low, stooping to bat at Cat's belly with the back of her left hand - shoulder-feinting Cat, then slapping her face - coming in close, spinning off Cat's body and swiping an insolent left mitt across those bulging breasts. Cat just getting turned, picked over, but at the midway point, girls trade hooks in the belly, hooks on the chin and BERRY GOES DOWN! Halle shocked and dropped straight to her butt and hands - she's up quick, but the cocky smile is gone. Berry back on her bicycle, dancing to her left, keeping Bell occupied with the jab, but Cat's stalking, looking rejuvenated through 3 tempestuous rounds.

R4: Cat Bell bangs body. Halle still moving well, but Cat's hemming her in with economical footwork, jabbing the champ to the corners, then batting away with shivering lefts and rights to the waist, forcing the fight's first clinches from Berry. Final moments see Berry on the run, hands low, lips pursed to suck in air - Bell walking her girl down with hard eyes at the break.

R5: Halle won't punk! Cat made a statement last round - Halle digs down and ups the tempo in response. Bell stepping forward, but forced to cover up as Berry flurries, swatting and cuffing upstairs, getting blocked, but always biting home a sharp hook or right hand on the chin or lower right side to put wince on Bell's face. Cat's output dropping - she can get into range, but she's getting beaten to punches and outworked. Berry getting off, then walking away to choose her next battleground - this is the kind of stuff that humbled Elizabeth.

R6: Girls get to prepping each other with shoving jabs in the chest, then stepping in with clanging hooks on the jaw and BERRY GETS HURT! Halle stepping in fence post holes - eyes a-glaze - hands extended. Bell patient, loads up and BASHES a gutwrenching right to the left flank, drawing a boozy shout of hurt from the champ. Halle drooping forward to clinch - Cat stacks her up with the left shoulder, then digs that murderous right hand up into the sternum - Berry mute with punishment as her butt scoots back, leaving her badly overextended. Bell crowds her girl, reaching under Halle's arms, walking her in a semicircle, then shouldering her off and CLOCKING home a whistling right cross! Halle out on her feet, staggers sideways, picking up momentum until she crashes into the ropes. ON COMES CAT BELL! Now the fists open up - bludgeoning rain of leather smashes down upon Halle's glistening shoulders and beautiful face and the REF JUMPS IN! It's OVER - Cat Bell rips the belts away from a stunned and broken Halle Berry KO6!

After: Berry swaying in the ref's arms, dimly staring over the man's shoulder at Cat's strutting celebration in the ring. Bell surprisingly emotional with the triumph, wiping away tears, kissing cheeks - good to see her release now and again. "Halle will never know how badly she had me hurt in the second," admits Cat, still wearing the shine of that beating, "but that's the difference between champions and, well, losers. I hate to say it, but it just feels right taking things away from Halle. I just don't think she's got what it takes to threaten me." Top it off, Cat confronts a slapped-up Berry in her corner, proudly displaying the belts over both shoulders, forcing eye contact as Halle demures. Yep - play it cool in pre-fight, heap it on in the aftermath - you gotta love Ms. Cat Bell.

Sim Guy
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