Partial Report

Posted by Simguy on 4/9.2004, 9:39 am.

Zeta J in red bikini
Kelly in pale blue bikini, curly brown ponytail

Fought near Glasgow--castle, invited guests only

DRAW!

Ladbrookes made CZJ a deserving 3 to 1 favourite, and most assumed that this would be Jones’ annual assertion of her UK presence, dishing out yet another beating to adorable ditz KB. But brook came in wiry-fit for this fight, toning up her legs, training much of the time in California against solid beach pros, and when the two brunettes were shown side by side, Jones definitely had the look of a plump, satisfied fighter who hadn’t taken her opponent nearly seriously enough during a lazy, caviar and champagne training camp.

Kelly bloodied Jones’ nose early and kept it messy with a pounding jab all night long--Catherine hadn’t been used to class from brook m in the past--had no reason to expect it on this occasion, and time and again, Kelly would initiate and dictate exchanges with her piercing stick. Kelly has always been able to punch, in a gaudy, breast-swinging sort of way--but this fight she was noticeably improved, straightening out her right hand, bending in with it, drilling it off the shoulder with no warning behind her sterling jab. Make no mistake--Jones was put wobbly butt and in serious trouble in the second courtesy a few pounding one-twos to her chin--only canny veteran clinches saved the day and extended this thing. Jones’ haughty pre-fight confidence had been replaced with a grim acceptance that she might have to go rounds she hadn’t trained for, and the fight was on.

All even after 5--it was brook’s no-nonsense jab, rangy right hand versus Jones’ cunning, short, harmful body punches and combinations whenever she could slip the stick. Even on the inside--Brook stood her ground and shortened up stroke, tearing up the Zeta Jones midsection and treating those regal puppies to some plastering uppercuts in close, forcing Jones to work hard to compete. Down the stretch, the women swapped sock--Jones finally hurting Brook with a hard hook in the 7th to unhinge the long-legged beauty. It was generally accepted that Catherine had things under control over the last few rounds, punishing the mouthwatering torso of the younger woman. When the decision was announced, an enraged Catherine Zeta Jones stormed from the venue as Kelly brook was fawned over and celebrated. Arguably her finest performance as a professional--good to see a woman refuse to be written off by stuffy, know-it-all pundits.

Reposted by Archer 6/25/11.