Posted by Simguy on 11/18/2000, 4:34 pm.

Before: Twain returning to the ring after the longest layoff of her career, facing the girl who made her rep as a fighter at Shania’s expense. Spears rounding into form as a dangerous prospect for any LIGHTweight, let alone the 100 pound Twain--add ring rust to the picture and you’ve got Shania entering as the biggest underdog she’s ever been. Spears much improved since her earlier tests against the country icon, but she hasn’t gotten any smarter--pretty much Twain’s only trump card. Britney in blousy black long sleeve crop top cut beneath the breasts, hip hugging black dance pants--Twain in tiger print dance pants, black push up bra.

During R1: Disastrous first minute for Twain--Britney with her hands down, feet wide, showboating with in and out movement lights Shania up with a crushing lead left uppercut between the mitts--Twain scooting to her butt and she gets up hurting, Spears grinning, walking in with her hands down and pulling the left uppercut up into Twain’s gut, falling in with her shoulder to push Shania back, then sweeping over the top with a crashing whip-armed right that flattens Twain to her back! Twain getting rag dolled, clearly shaken, but composed, advances to meet Spears half way rather than getting trapped ropeside, and a tight punching contest evolves in close as Twain fights off Britney’s chest. Good recovery for Shania as Britney lays in, doesn’t punch much as Twain helps herself to tummy.

R2: Twain’s working a strategy: instead of staying outside with Britney, (which has never worked in the past) twain flouts convention and initiates infighting against the bigger girl. Looks like a mistake early as Spears is stronger, but Britney isn’t an efficient punches, and she can’t match Twain for quickness in combination. Toe to toe--Spears looking to clinch as Twain lowers her shoulder and digs up into that firm midriff with authority to take the round.

R3: Cat and mouse game develops as Spears look to create distance, Twain looking to close, Both girls getting some things done, but midway through, Spears power comes to the fore: she clips an incoming Twain with a cuffing left hook, sprawling Shania to all fours for a third knockdown. Twain up in decent shape, but Spears takes over, circling, left hand at her side, right hand at her hip--Britney dancing in and out, pulling the right hand into Twain’s chest with thudding impacts--Shania’s shaky-legged at the bell.

R4: Shania bobbing, jabbing her way inside--Spears looking bewildered and the smaller woman goes to work. Twain with her head on Britney, busily shoeshines the tanned belly, comning off the body to swat the jaw with short strokes, then bodying up against as Spears lay in without a clue. Spears clinching, covering up-- she’s waiting for “I want to step outside and box”--it’s just not happening, Britney looking discouraged at the bell as Twain outworks the kid once again.

R5:Spears takes over the round with her legs and a heavy jab off her hip, back handing it into the smaller woman’s chest--Twain often grunting in spite of herself as Spears’ heavy rangefinder bangs home. Twain finally cutting off the ring in the final minute, gets back inside Britney’s trunks and it’s official--Spears can’t fight inside. Referee moving to break the girls up after the bell--Twain baiting the youngster with calculated taunting, pushing Britney over top the beleaguered official.

R6: Shutout Shania Twain. She’s rough with the head rubbing under Britney’s chin, drubbing her fists across the stomach, but catching that firm torso with plenty of forearm as well--Spears grimacing and falling off the pace continues to struggle. Britney clinching, but Twain able to shoulder shuck and shoot her way out and the volume of leather piling on Britney’s abs is starting to take effect. Spears looking rumpled at the bell--Twain barking, letting Britney know who’s boss at the break.

R7: Britney bodying up once again--Twain working between the youngster’s shoulders and clouting jug with licking left and right uppercuts. Spears standing her ground and trading, but she’s getting gobbled up 3 and 4 punches to 1. Good action pace, but Shania tattooing Britney’s hips, belly, breasts and arms for more points this round.

R8: Twain smells it--she’s back inside with ease as Spears stand flat footed and looking to clinch from the onset. Twain ripping body shots with everything she’s got, twisting her hips into vicious hooks and SPEARS GOES WOBBLY BUTT! Twain finally breaking Britney down, punches her across the ring to the ropes--Britney all shook up, mouth quivering as she covers up and lets Twain work her over. Bell to bell beat down as Twain reefs to the exposed sides of the blonde--Spears leaning out over her feet, soaking it up as she slides along the ropes. Bigger girl absorbs the punishment fairly well--but at the bell, Spears is distraught, blubbering and hurting as her corner works to calm her down.

R9: Shutout Shania Twain. Britney just doesn’t know what to do--Twain easily gaining access, letting her quick fists touch Spears between the hips, then turning on the occasional potshot to the jaw as Britney lumps up. Spears on her heels--she’s getting outworked when she punches, she’s getting bullied when she clinches, and she’s getting pummeled when she covers up, Twain just going to town, nice and tight form, roughing Spears up with fists, elbows and head work as Britney finishes up the round butt on the turnbuckle.

R10: Spears finally catches a break, just by moving her hands. Jabbing to meet Shania on the way in is SUCH a good idea--Twain paying for real estate this round, and as she bob low, a swatting left hook on her temple momentarily dazes the brunette. Spears able to step to her right, doubling up on a loose-limbed hook to the ear, then bouncing the short right hand off the face as Twain has some dicey moments. A carefree Spears might have been tempted to finish her foe--but Twain’s taught her caution this fight--Britney stayi8ng at arms length, wheeling and reaching to touch with lead rights and left jabs, but taking no risks. At the bell, Spears looked relieved, but quickly turns to sobbing elation as the decision comes back UD10 Britney Spears by a single point.

After: Twain feels a twinge, but she and everyone else knows she got some respect tonight. Spears relying almost exclusively on power to squeak past the cagey veteran, obviously thought she had things wrapped up by the third. Twain digging down, showing unguessed determination overcame some shattering blows early to post her best ever effort against her hated rival. “We realized Britney fights small,” explains a weary Shania in post fight, “she likes to dance and land single shot bombs, and we knew she wouldn’t like it up close and personal. I admit I was rusty early and she caught me--I think if  I had had my timing down I would have battered Britney tonight.” Brilliant counter conventional strategy from Twain reaffirms her as one of the game’s premier tacticians, overcoming Spears’ physical superiority for all but a handful of decisive moments in the fight.

Reposted by Archer 8/5/11.