Boxing After Dark

Posted by simguy on 3/12/2002, 7:34 am

Before: Kelly Ripa determined to prove she's no flash in the pan, gets right back in with another solid flyweight veteran. "Diane Lane was not a setback for me," says Ripa, "she was a learning experience. I came out of that fight better and stronger than when I went in and tonight I'm taking the next step up." Special commentator Lucy Liu remains unconvinced, "It's one thing to say that Diane dimantled Ripa, which she certainly did, but the fact is, Lane hurt Ripa on multiple occasions as well. Di had Kelly down what, 4, 5 times in that fight - that's not just getting outclassed - that's getting hammered. I don't think Packard has the kick Lane does, but I doubt she'll need it tonight." Ripa in black jockey two piece, Packard in black bikini, small black gloves for both.

During R1: Packard the boss early, giving Ripa plenty to think about. Kelly wheeling around Ripa, using the jab to set the table, fading back from Ripa's offense, stepping in to throw curling combinations, then pivoting out to either side. Packard niftier and harder to hit than Diane was - Ripa not sitting on her hands, but she's catching glove and shoulder as Packard rolls and steps away from trouble. Packard getting it done offensively - stepping in with beefy right/left rips to the stomach, or dipping to the left and cranking off a tight double left hook body and jaw. Ripa taking a good shot, coming forward, but looking second best early.

R2: Kelly Packard show continues. Constant head movement, terrific anticipation. Truth is - Ripa's the quicker girl, but Packard's timing, use of distance and angles has Regis' sidekick bamboozled. Packard still landing solidly to the midriff, but also poking in the straight right hand between Ripa's mitts, doubling up on it to catch Ripa relaxing. Packard positioning Ripa anywhere she wants in the ring - sometimes moving in to crowd, spinning off the bedazzled blonde to open up the canvas. Highlight reel shot late as Packard feints a step to the right, steps left and clangs home a tight curling left uppercut off Ripa's startled face - Packard, bobbing and pivoting away down low escapes without receipt. Shutout Packard.

R3: Ripa not discouraged because not hurt - but she just can't get on even terms with Packard. Kelly P controlling the center of the ring - whenever it looks like Ripa might have her backed into a corner - Packard bodies up, spins and escapes as Ripa can only stomp in pursuit. Ripa unable to touch Packard's elusive skull, but she's banging home some nice digs wide to the ribcage - trouble is Kelly's getting the better of the body exchanges with her in and out bursts. At the break, Packard's corner tells her, "You're tearing up the belly real nice, Kell."

R4: Packard continues to pop and pivot, but at the end of the first minute - Packard bending low at the waist - Ripa hacks hard to the back of the neck and sends a stinger down Packard's leg. Rabbit punch has Kelly P stepping funky for a moment - Ripa doubles her jab to the chest then ROCKETS over the top with that blockbuster compact right, swivelling Packard's head and dropping her loudly to her back as the crowd gasps in shock. Packard up at 8, eyes swimming and Ripa climbs aboard. SAVAGE beating up against the ropes - Ripa unapologetic as she beats her way into Kelly's trunks to get Packard cringing forward, then batters back and kidney without remorse. Ripa cudgelling Packard in close, getting the right uppercut in repeatedly to Packard's overhanging face - it's a massacre. AND THE REF STEPS IN! Packard woozy, swaying in shock, blubbers her objections as Ripa bends over the ropes to bellow at Liu - TKO4 Kelly Ripa.

After: Shocking reversal of fortune finds classy Packard roughed up and stopped after pitching an almost perfect shutout through 4 - Ripa hardening up to do what had to be done. "I didn't rabbit punch Kelly," Ripa insists, "she moved into my punch and got stunned - then I just rolled her up." As for Lucy's disparaging comments ringside, "I have everything I need to beat Lucy Liu if she wants it," says Kelly, "I'm a busy puncher, I hit hard at flyweight, I go to the body. I see me doing a Nia Peeples number on Liu and really punishing her. I'd like to see what that gut of hers looks like right now - she hasn't had a fight in ages and doesn't look like she's been in the gym. When I'm still around after 3 and she's breathing hard, Lucy's going to be looking for a way out."

Thanks to Apollo for this repost.

Archer 10/19/09.