Posted by simguy on 2/14/2010, 9:49 am

Before: "It's definitely time to pop this balloon," Ali says of her highly regarded opponent. "I've seen some overhyped bimbos in my time, but Righetti's probably the worst. Ho-hum face; good body; can fight a little - that's how the program should read. Anything more than that is just getting carried away." Amanda poised: she's prepared for Ali's ego, refusing to be baited. "I have respect for Landry. When you think how far she's come off of one potato chip ad - you know she's a tremendous talent. Unfortunately for her, time marches on. I see me breaking her down, and sweeping her to the sidelines. This tournament could be the last time we see Ali Landry in an important, head-lining type role. Enjoy her while you can." Landry in gold bikini; black gloves; dark curls loose/tangly. Amanda in emerald sport-cut swimsuit bra; bikini bottoms; black gloves; hair in long auburn battle braid.

During: Counterclockwise rotation midring - girls probing jabs. Ali changing levels - showing deep crouches as she steps-right: Righetti upright, pumping poke. Amanda stepping off the ring, driving in her jab: Landry defensive, slipping stick, trying to find an approach angle. Down the stretch, Amanda drops a right hand to Ali's left ear; hooks Ali's mouth: Landry sent stomping back on her heels - jugs a-jumpin' in alarm. Righetti leaning in, stabbing straight left to golden abs at the bell: shutout Amanda has Landry rung up, scowling through 1.

R2: Landry forces the issue up the middle, coming in off her jab to strap Righetti's waist right/left. Amanda standing ground, answering: jagged left uppercut; torrid left hook as Righetti keeps right hand at cheek. Hooks back from Landry, pounding midriff. Amanda in earmuff, crouching to receive, then she's banging back: biceps, pecs, ears. Brutal stuff: Ali standing in with Amanda, viciously working hooks in behind Righetti's right elbow while sustaining pounding bursts in receipt. 2 minutes of toe to toe before one girl wilts: it's Ali, wincing, stepping away hinky. Disengaging always tricky: Righetti able to pour a long right hand over Ali's left shoulder, jamming jaw: Landry's legs give a shimmy, steppin' her hurt in fence post holes. Righetti big-girl: palming shoulders, pushing Ali-to... strapping left hooks to Pageant-winning paunch, then clawing jugs. Ali stunned, tying up: Righetti getting into Landry's legs with power through 2.

R3: Double jab for Landry - forcing defensive front from Righetti: Ali digging up waist right/left, then pivoting sharply left to turn Amanda's right flank. Righetti turning, falling behind: Ali right back into the gut via pounding jab; turning a short right hand across redhead jugs. Ali working angles, using the jab to set up combo's, then moving: recipe for success as Amanda falls off the pace.

R4: Landry coming off the body, fitting a short right to Amanda's jaw in close: Righetti's legs buckle - Ali able to hustle redhead to ropes. Landry crowding close- crossing arms against Righetti's chest to push her upright... Ali pounding the body, then tying up, bearing Amanda to ropes. Amanda dazed, squirming in the grasp: Ali taking time to secure her girl before punishing her. Pounding Ali work to either bicep-pec: strategic bombing to take away Righetti's potency in the long run. Down the stretch, resilient Righetti starts to find short right uppercuts off her left-shoulder bump: Ali showing peek-a-boo, pushing in on Amanda, hooking her paunch and bodying up to smother out the round.

R5: Landry wants in, wants to fight off Righetti's chest: Amanda sees it, works hard to deny it. Both girls manufacturing moments. Landry digging up as much paunch as she can on the inside - traversing up-torso to pound pecs/biceps via swift-swiping right/lefts. Amanda shelling jabs, dropping tasty right hands, pushing Ali off in her shoulders. Righetti's brawn tells late: she's extending on shots, then shoving Ali around like a shopping cart. Landry moving her head well, but she's scuffing up around the eyes as Righetti's touches add up.

R6: Landry continues to invest in the waistline, has her way as Righetti cramps up. Amanda upright, hands at temples, elbows in close to her body: she's stiffening up, allowing Landry to work. Ali pushing her head in between Amanda's mitts, digging both hands to muscular paunch, or chopping in behind those elbows. Ali also clapping away on biceps: brisk combinations spanking out loud on beef. Bell to bell Landry: Righetti listless, sturdy body pinking up nicely through 6.

R7: Landry back into the waist, chopping relentlessly at Righetti. Amanda grumpy, but fighting back: she's bumping her left shoulder, gaining separation. Close range, two-way slugging throughout the middle minute sees Amanda seize initiative as Ali wilts: Landry gradually forming earmuff, going defensive. Payback for Amanda as times winds down: she straps hook to Ali's waistline, freezing her; vicious left uppercut parts Ali's mitts, picking her face up drowsy. Ali wobbly butt, staring... she backs away slowly and SITS DOWN! Delayed effect sees a groggy Ali heavily to her glutes, blinking, shaking her head in disbelief.

R8: BOOMING sidearm right chops at Ali's waist, buckling her forward "UHH!" Amanda palming Ali's shoulders, steering her - Righetti dips left, fits a thudding left into cringing Landry guts. Ali in pain, stooped forward in earmuff: Righetti shifts-right, chops vicious right hand down across Ali's left bicep; dips left, snatches short left uppercut to Ali's sternum. Righetti palming-up, pushing Ali around, feeding her another merciless left to belly - Righetti getting it while riding right hand on Ali's left shoulder - Righetti's right foot skidding up off canvas as punch sinks home. Landry shuddering, baby-stepping forward: Righetti digs Ali another withering left amidships, then picks her up the left uppercut - Amanda arching her back to get it in there snug. Landry picked up on her chin - she hovers momentarily before dropping to all fours. Ali shabby - hair dangling down, golden body trembling... Righetti strutting to neutral corner, eyes flashing. Ali a wretched sight trying to rally off her knees, but it's no go: KO8 sees Amanda through to the final four.

After: Landry distraught, leaving the ring even before official announcement is made: Righetti smiling, glancing at her rival's departure amidst general celebrations. "Loken and Landry back to back," Amanda says, eyes wide, "I don't like to toot my own horn, but that's pretty good! She was tuff - tried to work my body and wear me down, but I think I'm too strong for that. She did what she still could, you know? She's a fighter and I didn't expect anything less from her."