Posted by simguy on 5/14/2004

Before: Crawford the surprise of the FCBA this year with power punching and hard-nosed veteran approach - is Tyra impressed? "Not hardly," scoffs Banks. "Two wins over Kris Loken is nothing to brag about - we as fighters all knew that Loken was smoke and mirrors from the beginning. Cindy was just the girl lucky enough to be in the ring when Kris imploded. And I have to say, as a model? If she were on my show trying to break out all over again? She wouldn't make the cut. Cindy's a girl who's just trading on name recognition at this point." Tyra in bra style banana yellow bikini, slick long ponytail yellow bow, white shoes and gloves - Cindy in white-stars-on-navy bikini top, red bottoms, white shoes and gloves.

During R1: Cindy showing respect early, skirting the perimeter, changing directions at a nimble hop, testing Tyra's footwork. T with loping strides and hops, left hand low, right at her chest, scowl on her face as she cuts off the ring. Midway through, Banks trying to label Cindy that sweeping right hand early - Crawford timing it, swaying back from it, answers with a crisp straight right hand poke on the chin, putting the hook clean on top as Tyra reels backwards and BANKS GOES DOWN! Cindy maintains her hard punching ways - Banks mouth parted, eyes glassy, forlorn as she tries to push herself up off numb buttocks. T takes 8 - minute on the clock, ON COMES CRAWFORD! Cindy right hand at her cheek, pumping stick between Tyra's raised mitts, then SCORCHING that long left flank the clubbing right hand. Crawford using her jab to prod Tyra back into the ropes, then swinging lusty to the ribcage right/left. Good beefy work has Banks trembling, staring at the bell - would have been better served to clinch rather than covering up and taking those booming Crawford licks.

R2: Tyra's turn to show respect - loping boxing midring, hands around her midriff as she backhand-snaps out her jab, turns into slinging rights, then wheels 'round the left. Crawford stepping purposefully, eyes on Tyra's suspect chin - CC with her elbows in, dukes up, just raising her guard to block, but a half-step behind as Banks turns her flank and escapes. Nice tactical recovery round for Banks - she shakes off the hurt, gets her legs back - Cindy on the prowl can't pull the trigger again.

R3: Tyra bolder, resumes her slugging stance (left hand at the hip, right at her chest, slight crouch to the right as she lopes forward.) Cindy invited to pitch right hands against Tyra's left - but Banks is cagey - she rock-steps away from a shrieking Crawford right, rocks back in with her own booming right and CINDY GOES DOWN! Crawford's chin pushed down by a driving crack - she sits down at the ropes, eyes blinking, limbs tingling - she's up at 8 and hurting. Crawford swooning, wants to clinch - but Tyra won't allow it, cranking up underneath with Tommy Hearns licking hooks to abdominal pan, discouraging the grab. Cindy buckling forward, crossing her arms, trudging forward - Banks on widespread legs lopes 'round the right, keeping backhand jabs and long licking hooks on her opponent. Crawford getting belted, unable to close - Tyra turning her foe, keeping her at the perfect range, now leaning into go-home right hands - crowd roaring to it's feet as Banks lights it up. Torrid punching display - Cindy eating right hand after right hand, head jamming to the side as she's crouched forward - Crawford finally sputters to all fours as Tyra struts hands held high. Cindy: busted up, spasming as she tries to get to one knee, then topples forward onto her cheek - it's OVER! KO3 for the winner and NEW middleweight champ - Tyra Banks!

After: Tyra wastes no time - supermodel walk of shame for Crawford - Cindy's head on a bobble, waist all wrapped up in Tyra's greedy right arm as Banks takes her prize on parade. Banks waving with her left hand, beaming at an appreciative audience, Cindy shabby in defeat, hoist on her own petard as she goes out early to a big swinging diva. "Too much Tyra!" Banks explains in postfight. "Just too much Tyra, not enough Cindy tonight. She caught me early, but honestly, I thought "that's it? That's all you got?" I actually knew I was going to win right then and there - at Cindy's finest hour - because I knew she'd shot her wad. I just got myself together and then WHAM baby! Can't nobody do it like Tyra Banks!"