Posted by Simguy on Monday, 19-Jun-2000 11:00:44

Before: Steen an exquisitely skilled fighter, sparring partner mentality all that separates her from the upper echelons. Gun for hire--works with young fighters in camp and makes them better--has been in with just about everyone in well-traveled career. Campbell the bigger, young girl, but wise guys recognize the danger inherent in the match up. Neve in royal blue sports bra, white adidas terrycloth trunks, Steen in grey string bikini top, grey satin draw string pants.

During R1: Jessica deft judgment when to fight, when to box, has Neve reacting and late in the round, Steen stepping with her hook bangs Neve groggy with biting connects to the right eye. Campbell shaken at the bell as Jessi picks her spots.

R2: Campbell showing grit, can’t match the speed or fitness of Steen, but gets body on her and works clubbing hooks to the smaller woman’s right side. Steen grimacing, giving ground as Campbell eats her up behind the elbow.

R3: Neve with a textbook display of power boxing, hooks off the jab and has Steen defensive against the ropes, Midway through the round, Campbell sets her feet and rips repeated left hands to Jessica’s belly--Steen taking a knee in obvious discomfort as the punishment adds up. Jessica rattled the rest of the way, laying in and deflecting Neve’s attacks rather than mixing it up to the bell.

R4: Campbell with another workmanlike shutout, head on Steen, hands pumping to the body. Steen moving her head from shoulder to shoulder on Campbell doesn’t get hurt, doesn’t do herself any favours as Neve out hustles her for points.

R5: Jessica in counter punching, laying in with Neve, letting her get off to the arms and elbows, then straightening into short cracking blows to the mouth that have Campbell flustered. Midway through the round, Steen steps back and walks Neve into a beautiful right uppercut, spinning the groggy brunette afterwards--Neve wobbly butt from the punch. Campbell busier this round, but drops it to Steen’s opportunistic power.

R6,7: Steen shows why she’s not a champion. Letting Neve off the hook these rounds. Campbell continues to come forward, staying on Steen and Jessica goes overly defensive, laying in, rolling with punches, but not doing enough to win rounds. In the seventh, Neve ripping that serviceable hook to the body, again freezes Steen with multiple connects to the waist that send Jessi groaning to one knee. Campbell taking a nice lead into the late rounds on the strength of knockdowns.

R8,9: Steen shows why she could a champion, luring Neve forward, pivoting away from the hook and catching Campbell clean with chopping rights ion the eye or cheek in close work. Neve repeatedly wobbled, hanging on as Jessica slides clockwise and works head snapping combinations from angles. Campbell busting open over the right eye in the 8th, and bleeding freely in the 9th as physicians threaten to stop the bout.

R10: Neve Campbell with a gutty final round, puts Jessica Steen in second place with sheer determination. Neve takes the fight right to Steen, accepts the jab to land the hook, and buckles Jessica’s legs seconds in with fierce swabs across the gut. Steen turning away in pain, takes a knee, but Campbell undaunted, continues to press. Midway through the round, Neve working her girl at the ropes, swaying side to side to bash hard shots from either hand to the body and Steen collapses again, spitting out the mouthpiece and heaving on all fours like she’s done. Steen open-mouthed and shot will beat the count, but she is battered in the final minute as Campbell bullies her to a corner and puts punches together to the bell. UD10 Neve Campbell.

After: Campbell belying that sweet exterior again, gives another tough performance in wearing out a more skilled, but less durable veteran who maybe doesn’t have the will anymore to win these kinds of fights. Impressive outing for Neve--she’s farther along than pundits thought.

(Note to John--Steen would be a good match for Unger, Haiduk or CTS--worthy veterans all in pick ‘em type fights. Just thinking out loud.)

Reposted by Archer 8/13/11.