Post by Simguy by 12/6/2002, 7:10 am.

Before: Mutual admiration society in pre-fight - both fighters cordial, courteous in their comments. "I'm a big fan of Britney's," chirps Kelly, "she knows that. It's going to be tough, but I think there are things that I can do to slow her down. I have to work the body, but I'd also like to sack sock a little bit, break her down mentally - with Britney, it's important to discourage her early." Spears just as measured in her response, "I've got total respect for Kelly and how she approaches a fight. I've proven I can go body on body with anyone in this division, but that's not what you want to do against Ripa. I'm definitely going to box her, use my angles. Anyone who climbs into the trenches with Kelly is asking for a long night!" Ripa in black cotton jockey two piece, Britney in pale pink cotton sports bra, hotter pink bikini bottoms.

During R1: Ripa out spitting rivets - stubby little jabs, straight right hands thrusting from the shoulder - Britney's in wheeling retreat, trying to pivot and turn her aggressive foe. Second minute - Spears' legs start to impose order, distance on Kelly - Britney anticipating well, sliding back and she walks Ripa into a gorgeous stop-and-drop right uppercut out of a sneaky crouch that has Ripa wobbly butt. Britney reloads, hands loose, low and relaxed - she turns into a right cross over the top, nailing Ripa's stunned face, then suddenly jumps around Kelly's left shoulder, hooks Ripa in the cheek from the sheer angle and Soapstar rattles back to the ropes in shock. Final minute - Britney piling on - she's got Kelly doubled over, butt in the strands, and popstar takes what she wants. Nice limber strokes in combination, and Spears going hard to the lower back as Kelly presents her kidneys. Ripa stiff and crabbing about the kidney work after the bell - ref gets involved - Britney shrugging as if to say - "Hey, it's a fight."

R2: Kelly wants to come forward tough, but Spears using her jab as a breakwater, using her legs as a shock absorber - she's giving just enough ground, touching Ripa up on the way in and disrupting Kelly's momentum. Britney's punching very fluid, sharp - she'll go flat-foot supple, pawing the right hand to set up a cranking, whip-crack hook, then hop away. She'll go to belly or chin, feinting with one hand, bringing the other. Ripa facing into blows, taking shots like a champ, trudging forward, but it's not effective aggression. Spears successfully turning Ripa's flanks, able to work off either Kelly shoulder and shine the daytimer up.

R3: Britney very comfortable in there now - no unnecessary movement - she's judging distance well, so she's flat footed, stepping around, left hand at her hip, right loose at her chest - lots of upperbody movement and shoulder feints to keep Kelly tense. Spears potshotting - no jab from Kelly - Britney's able to spot her right hand, torque into flashy hooks, jump quick to her right and hook from an oblique angle - Ripa a step behind, starting to ship leather flush on her body and face. Midway through, Britney showcasing, turning her shoulders in exaggerated fashion as she steps back, luring Kelly in and LIGHTING HER UP another gorgeous right uppercut. Spears light and bouncy as she gets out of range, circles, darts back in to take a little, slips and weaves tired Kelly receipts. Final minute one of the best of Britney's career. Sharp combinations skid and bash off Ripa's head and guard, forcing her to ropes. Britney edging in, pawing that right hand, pulling at Kelly's guard, touching her, then RIPPING the hook - gut-wrenching torque on the left hand as the kid swivels her body into it. Ripa shopworn, slumping forward and back, head jammed violently to the side as Britney repeatedly clocks the jaw AND THE REF STEPS IN! TKO3 Spears with only seconds left in the round - Ripa blubbery and shocked!

After: Kelly woozy, but bitter, pushing Britney in the chest, whining about the kidney shots - Britney shoving back before being restrained by her corner: two classy blondes, one ugly scene. "Britney's a cheap shooting hack," snarls Kelly in postfight, "I wouldn't expect that kind of crap from the lowliest extra on All My Children." Spears rejoicing with an unexpectedly one sided romp, "look - if I had just had my ass beaten like Kelly did, I'd be making excuses too. When you bend forward so your head's below my waist, what else am I going to hit? Maybe Kelly needs to stop having kids, get in shape, and stay at flyweight where she belongs."