Posted by Simguy on 3/19/2004, 7:05 am.

Before: No question who the fan and sentimental favourite here is--Debbe D uncrowned FCBA royalty and people would LOVE to see Dunning finally best Elizabeth one on one. Shannon coaxed out retirement for this one, A. because it’s Debbe, B. because there’a chance to get some solid backing and get back in the hunt. “People forget how I turned this league upside down,” sniffs Shannon in preflight. “I’m the last fighter to beat Cat Bell and Charlize Theron back to back. I’ve knocked Debbe Dunning out so many times I should be up on charges. I was, and still AM, the best lightweight fighter out there and it’s about time somebody stepped up to the plate to get me.” Well, not so fast--little matter of qualifying for the contract first. Dunning in pink and white check bikini, bra straps as well as twist tied top--Shannon in American pie bikini--stars on navy top, solid red trunks.

During R1: Good loping movement girls leggy, but never running, just looking to step in and get off hard. Jabs not completely discarded, but definitely there to step up the power. Both girls attacking with limber, long limbed power--lashing lefts and rights wide, in blistering sequences, working savagely up-torso on the other. Good beefy contact, especially to the ribs and flanks--when chins are tested, both prove stout, Good round for both girls--Shannon’s busier, seems a little prettier with her feet--Dunning more apt to wait her turn, gives up the points.

R2,3: Very little to choose--girls hunting each other down in rangy action, strapping each other with those slicing wide shots, starting in the body, trying to end up hook-on chin. Crowd oohing and ahhing as girls take turns lighting each other up--both leaning and stepping out of range to avoid the worst of the hurt. Defense rather better than expected--not emphasized by either girl, but both making good decisions, bailing out at the right times rather than stubbornly taking a licking to get off herself, Not much inside action00girls prefer o wail away outside, getting close enough to stroke body, but hardly mouth-on-shoulder.

R4: Debbe commits to Shannon’s body first minute--stalking Elizabeth, walking her down, bending into sweeping right roundhouses to the ribs, gorgeous lanky hooks that tear up that belly from the side--Shannon doesn’t like it. Elizabeth giving ground steadily for the first time, not releasing her hands, lips curling in a little sneer of hurt--she’s trying to get distance, but Debbe’s cutting her off like a veteran. By the second minute--Dunning’s on to something--Shannon can’t get away and Double D’s laying heavy licks on the midriff, hounding Elizabeth to the ropes with crunching single or right/left combinations. Shannon getting stationary, hands up--she’s starting tio stoop forward from the thump on her ribcage, looking to palm-push Debbe in the shoulders. Dunning using a pawing jab to get Shannon upright, then stroking righty to the ribs, buckling Elizabeth’s legs--nice systematic stuff, Suddenly, Debbe arches her back, turns her hips, licks a whip-arm hook to the liver, reloads with a sexy wiggle and gets hook to chin and ELIZABETH COLLAPSES TO HER HAUNCHES! Shannon pout OUT in a heartbeat, dropping straight down then sprawling hung up in the lower ropes--head loll, backs down then sprawling hung up in the lower ropes--head loll, backs of her hands on the canvas--devastating KO4, Debbe Dunning.

After: Dunning pounds out a hated rival, made the sweeter as the old veteran cops a lucrative contract, gets a new lease on life and could be a sudden title threat late in a crowd-pleasing career. “It’s an exciting development,” says one free lance scribe “Debbe’s never had strong management before and that’s one of the things that’s held her

Back throughout her career. But you look at what she’s done--sold out arenas on both coasts, knocked out Cat bell, put Charlize Theron out of the lightweight tournament, put up fight-of-the-year type years after year--Deb can still make some noise and maybe get into the Hall of Fame with a good run here.”

Reposted by Archer 8/11/12.