Posted by Simguy on 8/12/2002, 6:39 pm.

Before: Henstridge back in boxing after a long hiatus--looking fitter, stronger than she has ever had and selecting long time ex-champ Shields to make her mark on. “I want to jump tight into the deep end,” crowd Nat, “No patsies, I’m ready to take this division from Cindy and Brooke’s my ticket.” Shields rededicating herself in the gym--she’s been fed with silver spoon much of her career, but knows she’s got to pay does to get back on top. “I can be boss again at 140,” Shields says, “I’m going to have unlearn a lot of bad habits, it’s going to be hard work, but there’s no reason why I can’t dominate again.” Henstridge in pale blue tank top, panties, Shields in grey sports bra, red high cut aerobics bottoms, hair top knot, back.

During R1,2: Henstridge flashing welterweight hand speed, getting off first, chopping strong, straight punches through Brooke’s guard. Shields in her heels, blocking, not moving her head much--she’s a target for Nat’s busy mitts. Henstridge putting 3s and 4s together, starting with hands at her eyebrows, hacking down on Brooke’s collar bones or cheeks, then straight back up the middle. Henstridge also showing a nice “Six Heads Lewis” jab--Bap! Bap! Bap! When she moves. Shields getting off in spots, right hands to the shoulder, left hands to the ribs, then crossing her arms and covering up. Brooke not busy enough, drops both heats.

R3: Henstridge more flat footed this round, leans why Brooke was the champ. Shields stationary, right hand at her left cheek, left across her body--she dips side to side, belting away on the body and head of the blonde. Nat standing in the pocket, absorbing shock, comes right back with those hacking mitts out of the high guard, not shooting as much straight up the middle. Banging toe to toe sees Brooke get stronger and stronger, starting to step forward--constant crash of Shields gloves clearly wearing Henstridge out at the bell.

R4: Corner gets on Henstridge--blonde responds, Shields want to stand and bang--Nat spitting that jab, moving around the brunette’s shoulders, then slicing in vicious right crosses on the chin. Shields starting to buckle, but not doing much defensively--just turning, posing, taking. Henstridge starts putting ‘em together, jabs flowing into s straight right on the teeth, snappy hook on the left eye-Brooke starting to pull out, half turning away from the neat and Nat catches her a jumping hook on that left eye to drop Shields to her butt, Hideous gash opened over Shields’ left eye--she beats the count, but she’s woozy, stunned at the sight of the leakage--Henstridge HEAPS it on. Natasha pounding away straight until Brooke’s leaning helplessly back over the top rope, then blonde swings away wide, moving down the torso to work those ribs. Heavy, slam-bang blows from Henstridge, big legs set, long arms clubbing--Shields takes the beating of a lifetime to the bell. Busted up, staggery--Brooke blubbery on her stool as cold metal gets applied.

R5: Henstridge’s corner: “That’s it--she’s through. Throw punches until they stop this thing.” Nat squares up, goes toe to toe and once again, Shields is able to be competitive, Henstridge just getting out walloped right in front of Brooke--blonde looking shaky, forced to clinch at times--Brooke growing in confidence, Wheels fall off Late as Nat rediscovers the stick, bangs away at that swollen eye and puts a sizzling right cross onto Brooke’s chin, Shields doing the funky chicken, hanging in up top on Henstridge, giving away tender ribcage to the blonde’s bashing attack. Nat steals a Brooke round--cuts reopen--what a mess.

R6: Shields under siege, looking harmed, but she’s refusing to punk. Nat jabbing her girl into a corner and blasting away--shattering lefts and rights, heads and sides--long armed power at it’s withering best. Shields up tall, taking way, way too many shots, but taking them well, and finding spots where she can get off from her crossed arm stance. Nice even round until Henstridge beats Shields to chopping right hands late--Brookey staggered, staring, helpless as Nat loads up and lands a volley of rights upside the head to leave Shields out on her feet at the bell.

R7: They can’t stop the blood in Brooke’s corner--they want to end it--brunette groggily shakes them off, gets off her stool like a warrior. She’s doomed, too hurt to compete at this point--Henstridge charges the mound without restraint, Natasha heartless as she pounds that eye, beating sharp lefts and rights against it until Brooke covers up in cringing agony, Nat thick on the ribs, beating that big body around the arms as Shields tilts forward. It’s a massacre--Shields not firing back, refusing to go down--Natasha keeps bashing away, grunting as she summons more and more effort from her limbs and the ref steps in! Shields’ tender eyebrows all torn up, left eye shut, yet she says defiant in a punched out haze. TKO7 Natasha Henstridge.

After: Henstridge impressive, showing some nice straight boxing, as well as requisite middleweight power in cutting up Ms. Shields. Not all bad for Brooke however--many pundits see signs if a fighter in this losing effort--getting up off the canvas, and going out under her opponent’s fists rather than accepting easy outs. If she can put some heart and just a little defense along with that power--she can still be a threat.

Reposted by Archer 1/28/11.