Posted by Simguy on 12/17.2004, 7:29 am.

Before:” Katie coming off maybe the most devastating loss of her career—looted by Scarlett Johannson in a fight most thought Holmes would win. “I absolutely have to bounce back against Kelly because of what happened against Scarlett,” says Holmes. “I feel I’m better than both these girls and if they BOTH pout me down...I’m not even letting myself contemplate that outcome. Rowan enjoying a little more spotlight these days—best known for bitter but classy struggles against Jessica Steen in Canada, Kelly’s getting a chance to shine in the twilight of her career. “It’s great,” Kelly smiles, “I’ve never gotten attention like this before and who knows when it’ll end. Katie a good fight for me—I don’t think her youth will be as big a factor as my skill.” Katie in pink bra and panties, battle bun—Kelly in black bra and panties, white lace trim.

During R1: Katie punching hard from the get go, catching Kelly to start a chess match, Holmes with a series of clubbing rights pounds Rowan in a little semi-circle to her right—Katie baring her teeth, just stepping an slopping on hurt. Rowan wobbly butt, but cagey—reaching in under Holmes’ arms to get a ref’s break—hectic early action settles into the expected jabfest midring. Rowan more competitive as girls stick each other, rotating gently clockwise with faces set in stern concentration.
R2: Rowan jabbing Katie to the mouth, popping her, startling her, stepping around—blonde starting to be a puppeteer in there as Holmes starts following. Kelly cute off the ropes, luring Katie in, then scrubbing her face with rigid, scrapping one-twos. Stepping to the right to open up the canvas. Holmes getting beat to the punch, getting outboxed, blonde smiling prettily en route to her corner after schooling young brunette..

R3: Rowan jabs—Katie counters with looping right hands, bashing away on the neck.ear of blonde and rocking Kelly sideways. Katie wading in brawny, turning puncher to Roman’s surprise and landing the odd hard clout in amongst the awkward pushing blows. Rowan rushed to the ropes, trying to cover up and ride it out—Katie lifting pair of thudding lefts into Kelly’s ribs draws a sobbing protest from slender blonde. Kel trying to clinch., but look at Katie! Holmes stepping out to create space and pounding away right hand--Rowan rocked, leans back into the ropes glassy eyed, bewildered. Swatting lefts, more right hands—Holmes heaping it on sloppy, but effective—she’s wide open for counters but poor Rowan can’t pull the trigger. Kelly burying her face in her gloves, twisting side to side and ROWAN GOES DOWN! Kelly shuddering all fours, tears streaming down her cheeks and it’s OVER! KO3 Katie Holmes as Kelly Rowan can’t or won’t get off her knees.

After: Rowan badly shaken—she came in expecting a nice orderly boxing match—Katie crossing her up with heartfelt slugging. “I wanted to turn puncher because Kelly looked pretty fragile against Teri Hatcher,:” Katie explains. “it was exactly the right thing to do--she just couldn’t take the heat! It feels so GOOD to stop a girl! Seeing Rowan on her hands and knees…I can’t tell you what that means to me, especially after that Johannson disappointment!