Posted by Simguy on Tuesday, 28-Sep-1999 19:40:59

Thanks to FightFan for this repost.

Before: Bassett with a rare PPV appearance, yet another testimony to the perfidious nature of boxing politics. Ducked even by girls used to being ducked themselves - Bassett never got the exposure she needed in her prime, and now, it could be too late. Gershon showing her class in taking the fight - nobody would blame her for passing on this challenger. Gina G in black pushup, gold lamme bikini bottoms, Angela in neon blue string bikini top, silver bikini bottoms.

During R1: Basset in terrific condition for this fight, but she looks slow and a little rusty as Gina sticks and moves early. Double G creates angles with her feet and lands right hands Basset would've dodged easily 5 years ago. Shutout Gina as she sharpens her pencil on Angela this round.

R2: Angela moving the upperbody more, mounts some effective Henry Armstrong type rushes early, but once again forgets her footing and lets Gina off the hook. Gershon batting at Angela with sharp one-twos, then sidestepping with a hand on Bassett's shoulder to turn her at mid-ring. Angela reacting instead of initiating, clearly lacks timing from such a long absence from meaningful competition.

R3: Gina with her weight forward, lets her fists slash against Angela's face, pivoting around Bassett and pounding her with combinations. Bassett reduced to crossing her arms, bobbing, but unable to mount any offense as Gershon dictates from bell to bell.

R4: Gina G busts Angela up to open the round with a stunning triple left hook, and Bassett is hurt for the first time in the fight. Angela trying to come forward, now taking flush uppercuts and hooks on her chin as Gershon's eye's flash into tiger mode. Gina firing 3 and 4 punch combinations, finishes off with short right hands to the face that have Bassett trembling. Beating is heartless and sustained as Gershon fights well backing up or moving forward to keep the pressure on. Angela in deep trouble in the final minute - head snapping violently back from Gina's slashing combinations. Battered to a corner, eyes closed, mouth open, Basset is savaged by a series of clubbing lefts and rights to the head as she staggers from one foot to the other. THE FIGHT IS STOPPED!! Gina is pushed back by the concerned ref as Bassett stands on shaking legs, basically out on her feet, conditioning keeping her upright. TKO4 Gina G.

After: Bassett clearly not at her best for this fight, looked slow, tentative, and unable to dictate terms to Gina throughout. Wise guys speculate shabby performance a bit of a ploy by Basset to lure more 'names' to the bargaining table. Gershon stung by allegations that Bassett might have deliberately tanked the fight, claiming "I beat the best Angela Bassett anyone's seen in 5 years!" In any event, certainly the least dramatic of their 3 career meetings.