Posted by Simguy on 2/25/2005

Before: HBO under heavy fire for greenlighting this fight on PPV - critics contending it's a recipe for disaster with both women looking so vulnerable these days. "Our feeling is that Debbe Dunning is still a viable, elite fighter who's popularity is at an all-time high, while Carrie Ann Moss is a quality fighter who's never gotten a fair shake on our air," says a network spokesman. "It's a chance to make a good 50-50 fight, and we stand by our decision."

Dunning back out of retirement and eager to erase the pain of her recent setbacks - she rationalizes her way through prefight. "Carrie Ann Moss is the kind of fight I should have taken to ease my way back into contention after O'Dell," says the crowd-pleaser. "I'm not overmatched here and I think I can really showcase on a fighter like Moss."

Moss another downtrodden veteran suffering in the wake of a string of disheartening losses. Unlike Dunning, Carrie's never formally announced her retirement and she thinks that gives her an advantage.

"Look - Debbe's shot: I'm in a slump - huge difference. Debbe Dunning's form is gone, her reflexes are gone - she's just taken too many punches and the fact that she's retired means her heart isn't in it anymore. That's not my situation at all - I've had very competitive bouts and maybe too much work in too short a time, but I'm still physically at the top of my game. I can still be a champion at lightweight - I firmly believe that: that's the difference between me and Debbe."

Dunning in pink and white check print bikini, bra straps and twist-tied top, white shoes and socks - Moss in black leather bikini, black boxing boots.

During R1: Moss: right hand at cheek, left at chest ready to jab. Dunning: weight over her feet, hands low - she's wading in face first. Debbe stepping, swinging wide right, back with a stroking hook - Carrie Ann blocking up top, but giving ground wide-eyed: Dunning's fists still very heavy - like a Merqui Sosa late in his career. Dunning wide open, but getting off - nothing coming back from Moss - clobbering walking barrage drives Carrie Ann to ropes. Moss: dukes at temples, crumpling forward as Debbe treats herself to ribs - Dunning swiping vicious left/rights across Moss' firm body, keeping Carrie ropeside. Debbe squared away, swinging from her hips - great slopping lefts and rights wide to ears and shoulders, pulled thick into ribs. Ain't pretty - Dunning looping shots, wrapping around Carrie Ann's shoulders or missing over top as Moss dips down, but Carrie just not answering back. Too much shellack - Dunning unthreatened, pinning her ears back - she's just wailing away chest out, chin up as Moss cowers, caves in. Crude one-way bludgeoning goes on and on and on - poor Carrie Ann slowly drooping forward, giving up her lower back to Debbe's sweeping shots - FINALLY Moss sinks to her hands and knees. IT'S OVER! Carrie Ann sobbing, trembling, lost and alone as the ring fills with ecstatic Debbe D well-wishers. KO1 Debbe Dunning.

After: Dunning rejuvenated - laughing, buffetted in a sea of sycophants and hangers-on - everyone of whom only gets paid if Debbe keeps fighting. HBO suits rubbing their hands in satisfaction - Dunning KO's are eyecatching, free-swinging affairs and as such: good for business. Debbe bubbling over in postfight - proclaiming herself to be back, but pundits queasy. One celebrity Ring moralist puts it best. "Debbe stopping Carrie KO1 is the worst thing that could have happened to Dunning. She was SO wide open and sloppy, so vulnerable throughout the piece - but the only thing she's paying attention to is the box score." And wither Moss? Carrie Ann moping, sullen as she leaves the ring to little fanfare - used and abused by a sport that has given her precious little over the years...yet she soldiers on.