UNIFIED BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

Posted by simguy on 11/27/2004, 11:33 am

Before: Connelly the best, most consistent bantam over the last year finally getting a title look - had a fight with Liz Shue booked, Shue accepting step aside money and graciously offering to act as a Neve-mimic in Connelly's camp instead. "Jennifer's punching harder and more accurately than ever," claims Liz. "That Dani KO was no fluke - I think Connelly's right hand is comparable to Jolene Blalock's now and that spells trouble for Neve." Campbell scoffing at the notion of Connelly's packing Blalock-type power from the right side. "No way," Neve affirms. "Jennifer's got a hook, I'll give her that, but her right hand's nothing special. Great KO over Fishel - no doubt about it - but she's not tagging me like that. Even if she does, I'm soaking it up and giving it back double. I'm not just here to turn the belts over to Jen Connelly." Neve in cerulean blue bikini, Jennifer in Raquel's hot pink push up and panties from 1967 'Bedazzled'.

During R1: Boxing look first minute from Connelly, spacing Neve out the jab, Jen keeping the right hand tight to the cheek as she steps, considers options. Neve dipping side to side, dukes up - she's chop-thrusting the jab to Jen's chest, stepping in with a blunt right hand, looking to set up shop on Connelly's front doorstep. Midway through, Neve fighting off Jen's chest - rib-rattling lefts and rights drum away to the flanks, quick-clipping left uppercut, jerking right uppercut through the mitts - Jennifer falters wobbly butt into the ropes. Connelly wounded, dukes at temples, torso tilted forward: Neve goes to work. Thudding punishment administered to the waist, sets up the rest. Campbell swatting Jen's head to either side to expose her ribs, then doubling up down there with either hand, cuff-up-top, dig-downstairs rhythm. Final moments, with Connelly wilting forward - Neve's able to help herself to shiny back with clubbing strokes - draws a stern finger waggle from vigilant ref.

R2: First minute boxing from Jen - jab-jabbing, changing directions - Neve implacable as she slips side to side, cuts off the ring and gets in Jennifer's grill. End of minute 1 to the bell - Neve has Jen's back on the ropes, systematically going to town on Connelly's Oscar-winning torso. Campbell crouched, compact, dukes up - she's bumping her guard into Jen's gloves and shoulders, jostling her, bumping her with shoulders, prepping her with forearms, then snapping and bashing away. Biceps, tummy, ribs, jug and chin - Neve mixing it up with a hard-working bump-n'-slug rhythm, leaves Connelly hollow-eyed at the bell.

R3: Neve marching on Jennifer - trades jabs on the mouth then drops in a pounding overhand right, jerking Jen to her right and putting her wobbly butt. Neve bodying up and stampeding Connelly sideways to the ropes - Campbell leaving her scent on Jen, getting big on her. Connelly squaring away under pressure and answering - she's forehead to forehead to Neve, trading harsh licks - both bodies ripped, chins clipped as girls swap hooks and uppercuts. Final minute, slugging stalemate broken as Neve twists into a tidy right uppy on the inside, lifting Jen's chin up, sitting her woozy in the ropes. Brisk left/right bounces off Connelly's face, dazing her and NEVE PILES ON! Campbell's eyes aglow as she feels Jennifer's helplessness - Connelly staring as right uppercuts carve up across her face, left hooks tug on her jaw, sending her head this way and that. Jenny reaching around Neve's buttocks and hips, trying to clinch - Campbell won't have it - brushing Jen back the uppercut, hooking her chin, bumping up on her to reset - Neve just cleaning up in there. Seconds left and THE REF STEPS IN! Connelly busting up and woozy, but stamping her foot in outrage at the stoppage - Neve Campbell walks away the TKO3 winner and STILL champ!

After: Neve putting her foot firmly down - grim performance sees her walk Jennifer down, put hands all over the challenger and leave her numb, destitute on the ropes in three steamy heats. Under 10 seconds left in the round when it's called off - it's a call that will be debated for weeks to come. Campbell heartless in victory, pulling Jennifer to her feet by her left arm and hauling her out for a gaudy Walk of Shame - Connelly tight-lipped, holding back tears as Neve cements her crown with the showy display. "Had to be done," says Neve crisply. "Too many girls think that I'm some sort of interim champion - including Connelly. I walked her to show how serious I am. I beat Eliza down to take the title; I beat Connelly down to keep it - that makes me pound for pound one of the baddest girls out there."