Posted by Simguy in 6/28.2002, 3:57 pm.

Before: Match up long on name recognition, but maybe short on substance these days--neither girl even close to a boxing match in recent memory, despite Hall of Fame credentials, With curvy popstars showing some ability to cross over and get big fights--both these megastars looking for a piece of the action. Jackson the kind of limber club scene fighter that’s given Shania buckets of trouble in the past--Twain’s bruising losses to Spears seen as potential precursor to this fight, although Shania camp supremely confident that Janet’s legs aren’t as springy as blonde wunderkind’s at this point. Interesting veteran match up--both girls probably just off their peaks but still with plenty left to offer. Shania in sporty corporate/jock black sports bra, high waist black dance pants, genie top knot ponytail--Janet in filigree black bustier, purple harem girl pantaloons (low cut), wet curls.

During R1: Shania in her familiar Johnny Tapia-like stance, tap-stepping around the ring, hooking off the jab. Janet more flat-footed, but agile--she’s fading back, then darting forward to time lead right hands against Shania’s ratatat stick, left hand low, swatting hard across the Twain midriff, Jackson gets to Twain at the midway point, punching a short right/left o either eye--no backswing, just twisting her torso into the banging punches, then digging hooks to the midsection to wobble Shania’s butt. All Jackson down the stretch as she jumps in hooks and stabbing rights, bends low, jumps out--Twain shaken up and already swelling after some sharp Double J connects.

R2: Jackson dominating--her legs are strong, stance wide--she’s able to lean in on that front foot to batter Shania with double and triple hooks, lean away to pick Twain up the check hook off the back foot, then jump in with surprising right hands that are finding country and western face with ease. Shania getting drilled, often stunned to be getting hit flush with both hands as Janet’s short, sharp leg-driven offense tears up brunette defence. Jackson punishing the body almost as methodically as the face, wrecking havoc with a snappy, loose, Leonardesque deliver that’s preventing Twain from getting off. At the bell, Shania stumbles as she walks away--Janet’s consistent work really numbing Twain’s legs early.

R3: Janet starting to cruise, right hand poised at her chest, left hand at her side, she’s leaning in and out, touching Shania up, speedy, brushing combinations often setting up hurtful left hands in the breadbasket or scorching rights across the chin. Janet loping to her right, eyes intent as she breaks her girl down. Twain just not reacting--body shots are hunching her up, leaving her vulnerable for face polish. Janet putting wobble in Twain’s trunks once again after a third shutout round in a row--Shania busting up around both eyes, and complaining of soreness in her ribs during the break.

R4: Tepid punching from Twain as she finally works in behind her jab--Jackson fading back at the first sign of pressure, legging out to the right to reset. Janet with a beautiful feint, step out, step in right hand counter, beats Twain perfectly to the cross, nearly putting Shania’s knee on the canvas. All Jackson the rest of the way as Shania tries to shake off the damage, trying to dance away but Janet’s walking her down and hammering that midsection with supple rips. Janet all sweaty and glistening, beaming after four--hair wild in eyes as both women start to realize what‘s happening..

R5r: Shania trying to get kickstarted, doubling up her jab, putting her punches together, but Jackson’s got the legs, and the answers. Janet using the ring, stringing Twain forward and at the minute mark, a crisp check hook as Janet backs away, unhinges Shania’s legs and has her tipping sideways in shock. Janet jumping in with that looping right off her chest as she crowds close--Twain taking flush on her jaw and SHANIA GOES DOWN! Janet helping Twain to her backside with a little shoulder shove dir to momentum, but Country’s hurt, nearly pooling to her side as she tries to push herself off her hip. Tai takes 8, then digs in at the ropes and it’s a SENSATIONAL beat down from Janet who whips her fans into a frenzy. This is 80s, early 90s Jackson--the blinding hand speed, the vicious co9mbinations punching--stomach muscles rippling into view as she twists and jerks in the punishment. Twain all jazzed up at the bell, bleeding from the nose, eyes swelling badly now--she’s taking the beating of a lifetime tonight as Janet sends her staggering to her corner after 5.

R6: Jackson backing off, clowning, dropping her hands to her side and showing Twain some maddening upper body elasticity. Jackson leaning back on her hip, batting Twain punches to the, falling off to the right or left as Shania not putting any hurt on Jackson, but she’s coming forward, making the fight--Janet just showing supple moves and sexy shoulder shrugs for her peeps, but judges aren’t buying.

R7: When Janet punches, she’s too much for Twain. Janet getting it all back with a series of thumping hooks in the first minute--Twain hunching forward, elbows in--crippled as Jackson digs, steps to the left around her jab, then digs it in again., Middle minute, Janet showing that terrific balance: she’s picking Shania up the left uppercut, then a quick jab to prevent the counter, then banging the right cross--everything catching Twain staring as brunette can’t keep up, Knockdowns start to pile up: Shania down at the minute thirty mark to a grazing right hand, comeback left hook on the teeth, then down in the last minute to that banging left/right on the eyes, left hand to the liver, Jackson strutting, lifting her mitts--Twain in agony on her stool, getting endswell pressed hard against her eyes, shaking off the ref who’s asking for a submission.

R8: Another brutal, one-sided Janet Jackson round. Janet’s just done too much damage, taking every option away from Twain, then rolling her up round after round--Shania’s got nothing left. Janet punishing her girl with steady combinations along the ropes--Twain sliding to her right, earmuff guard not much good as Jackson takes midriff, breasts and face whenever she wants them. With nothing coming back, Jackson looks as good as she ever had--nice tight delivery, body and legs behind the punches, quick, accurate bursts that routinely stun Twain. Once again, Shania shakes off the ref--but he can’t let this go on too much longer.

R9: Shaky Shania know she’s being watched closely--she digs in at the ropes, face a battered ruin, and Twain trades recklessly as Janet hungrily looks to finish. Sensational back and forth--Jackson catching some stout licks on her chin, but refusing to back off--she’s putting it ion Shania with hardhearted fury, Down the stretch, the banging give and take starts to wear twain out--once again she sits hurt in the ropes, hands up around her temples, just trying to ride out the beating. Janet lording it over her foe, reaching down either side to bite around the elbows, curling it up the middle to dig the sternum, clipping right hands tight to pick up Shania’s groggy face. Incredibly, twain survives the round, but she’s tragic weaving back to her corner. It’s over--Shania Twain breaks down on herr stool, sobbing her surrender--TKO9 Janet Jackson.

After: Vicious, sustained beating the worst of Shania’s career--and only because this was quite possibly the bravest of her career. Twain not known for taking a punch, but she came back again and again against heartless punishment, allowing herself to be beaten unrecognizable by a supremely dominant Jackson tonight. Janet cooing and soft spoken in post fight, singing Shania’s praises--long time Jackson watchers now his stuff is a sham, but there’s a whole new audience hat doesn’t know any better. Britney Spears in her robe at ringside for this fight, nodding, appreciating what she’s seen--knows that ultimately Jackson has to deal with her at some point--good opportunity to see what the old queen has left.

Reposted by Archer on 12/11/10.