Posted by simguy on 12/4/2004

Before: Tyra brazen at the podium in black lace Victoria's secret bra, slick ponytail, black jeans over pink pumps - plenty of flexing and standing up abruptly, demanding that Landry 'feel this bicep!' - all in an attempt to psyche Ali out. Landry/Banks a bitter rivalry, but Ali with the career edge and a seeming knack when in comes to handling lanky Tyra. "Tyra's more of a super-punk than super-model," quips Ali. "It's nice to know coming in that I've already got a girl knocked out - really takes the pressure off." Banks handling strong Mariah inside and out last time - convinced she'll be able to translate the experience to the former multi-time champ. "I will punch to Ali's body," Tyra assures the press, "I will hurt her and I will wear her down. Once she's weakened, say Sayonara (gesturing with a confident right fist). I won't let her finish this fight." Two confident big women - Tyra in black lace push up and panties, slick ponytail, Ali in gold bikini.

During R1: Banks very aggressive early, bending in right hands over the top - Ali covered up, rolling to her right to ride out the punch. Banks leaning in close, pulling long arms back then plugging right/left to the waist, brushing Ali with rangy uppercuts, leaning and hauling wide rights to the ear. Landry calm, dukes up, bending forward into arc of the punches to make Tyra shoot long, countering up into ribs with short, powerful uppercuts. Competitive back and forth, but Tyra's slinging shots weightier if less accurate - Landry can't hold her canvas against thick shellack. Down the stretch - Banks getting a loose-limbed right uppercut to the chin and startling Landry at the ropes - Pageant princess leans in dukes up as Tyra belts away great strapping right/lefts to paunch at the bell. Banks immediately chesting up and bellowing in Ali's strained face: Tyra loving the hurt she put on Ali, clearly feels she took the stanza.

R2: Tyra behind a range-finding jab, then looping right hands hard over top - Landry slipping low, staying tight: counter left uppercut on the crotch jams Banks up - follow up left uppercut spanks off her breadbasket, third really folds her up woozy. Ali rolling her shoulders, staying close and putting it on Tyra professional: sliding right uppercut bangs Banks' face back off her gloves as she leans forward - eyebrows arched high, eyes closed. Brawny shoulder Ali - Tyra staggers into ropes - dukes up shabby, elbows in: Banks is one hurting super-model. Ali goes to work:

Jabs up top freeze Tyra - Ali in THICK to the waist right/left - tuff shoulder bump to shove Banks back, then Ali's on breadbasket with hard shoving rights, using the left to stabilize against Tyra's shoulder...

Banks in stupor, leaning forward, mouth open - Ali working with right uppercuts to belly, right uppercuts to chin - picking Tyra's sleepy face up over and over - poor Banks immobile, slouching forward. Landry nice n' supple, tossing uppercuts while riding the left hand at her hip...

Ali palming up and putting body on Tyra, straightening Banks against the ropes then going systematically to the ribs. Tyra groaning, slumping forward - Banks just ruined, not answering back, soaking up thudding abuse. Clipping uppercuts - lefts and rights - pick Tyra's chin up, digging hooks in behind the elbow - it's all too much. Banks' long legs finally give out - spilling her to all fours with a stunned expression as Landry struts away hands high. IT'S OVER! Banks shaking like a new born filly on her hands and knees, unable to get up - Ali punching at the air and roaring in exultation across the ring. KO2 Ali Landry.

After: HBO crew cooly slides in the well-worn Swan Lake tape - nobody at the ol' head office trusts a Samdog fighter to control herself, especially Ali Landry with a knocked out Tyra. Banks devastated by the crushing defeat - she just can't accept a second round dismissal from Ali.