“Lost in Translation”

Posted by Simguy on 3/7/2004, 11:51 am.

Before: Always sounds like a great idea--make PPV money for little risk in Japan--Japanese venues love American celebs and the fights don’t have much impact in the US--it’s an ideal way to get some rounds, make some money and avoid the media grind. Would’ve been the perfect fix for a Dani Fishel still reeling from a thumping loss to Elisha Cuthbert, but unexpected TE title fights mean Syren and CB have to stay Stateside--Dani heads to Tokyo alone. Toughest part of the fight might be the psychological isolation during the wait for the contest. Imbruglia, like a lot of Aussie fighters, is practically on home turf in Japan--Natalie best known in the States for a thrilling West Coast series against Kelly Packard, but she’s an experienced Pac rim fighter and the fan favourite coming in.

Some of Dani’s experience leading up to the fight:

Arriving along in Tokyo International Airport, bags over her shoulders--she’s picked up by a fawning Japanese translator and adjutants, taken to the hotel.

Dani can’t sleep properly--restlessly padding around the 5 star hotel, taking in the lonely, desolate urban vista from the Penthouse Bar.

One night--Dani bumps into Vanessa Williams in the bar. Williams with her hand in a cast, looking weary, on her way back home: she’s lost a mixed martial arts bout, took ligament damage from a key lock wristlock, but made good money in the process. Has a drink with Dani. Warns Fishel not to stay in the game too long.

On the Ginza, huge lighted billboards of Fishel startle Dani--in some ways, she’s a bigger celebrity in Japan than she is Stateside. Because of her status and cutes, she’s thought of as a human Pekochu in the East. Japanese children adore her.

The PPV featuring TE fighters is shown in the Hotel Bar one night. Dani watches from half a world away, alone as TE fighters march to victory. Fishel’s normally exuberant glee at the sight of Mish and Terry triumphant is muted; Dani still cries herself to sleep that night, doesn’t know why. She wants to call Syren, but doesn’t: doesn’t want to worry anybody or bring them down.

Imbruglia and Fishel are invited to a televised interview. Very cordial--Natalie able to speak Japanese, comfortable with them, relaxed in familiar surroundings. Dani having to work through a translator, not at all certain she’s getting across as intended--she’s nervous, anxious throughout, Imbruglia notices, obviously relishing Dani’s angst. Not the first time as Aussie fighter has gotten an American off balance in the Far East.

By the time fight-day arrives--Dani is relieved to finally be getting into the ring.

Fight venue: Large glass and metal geodesic dome, allowing the sun to shine through, temperature artificially raised, imported sand and bleachers mimicking a Southern Californian beach--it’s ersatz beach boxing from the cold heart of Tokyo. Giant Japanese drums accompanying fighter’s entrances. Natalie in black bikini, white shoes, black hair up, Dani in teal bikini top, gray stretch cotton boy cut trunks, white shoes.

During R1: Fishel sluggish--dukes up, just turning, allowing Imbruglia to set the pace and initiate. Natalie more upbeat, right hand at her cheek, exploring Dani’s raised guard with a snapping jab, sees nothing back, gets a little bold. Imbruglia working her way close, then hooking Dani’s stocky midriff, ripping up the belly, keeping that right hand tight to her cheek--Nat digs in a couple, slides back out--still nothing from Dani, By the third minute--Imbruglia very methodical, very busy, jabbing Dani’s face, hooking Dani’s body, pivoting around Dani’s right flank--it’s a workmanlike Aussie shutout. Fishel more irritated than hurt, shaking out her arms, starts to go back to her corner, but the ref gently stops her: there is no corner. Judges deem Imbruglia to have won the round--she can pace and stalk around, take on some water from ringside--Dani has to saty where she is, no water, no ice. An electronic bell starts a 10 second count down to the second round--Imbruglia sets up right in front of Dani, balance to punch--Dani hurriedly guards up, not knowing what to expect.

R2: Imbruglia fakes Dani out, steps away rather than attacking--more boxing action midring. Natalie whittling and chipping away--keeping the right at home to guard against Dani’s vaunted hook, peppering Dani jabs, swatting and cuffing hooks to tummy, moving the hook up top to jaw. Fishel coming forward, but not getting off--she’s parrying punches, bending a little at the waist, but just doesn’t seem right. Imbruglia’s good flyweight power not really moving Dani, but saucy, spanking impact in the ribs and tummy all score points, and some brazen right hands are trying to pound up the middle and split Dani’s mitts. At the bell, Dani once again has to stand where she is--Natalie getting watered down, stalking around the ring before resuming her stance right in front of Dani to start the 3^rd.

R3: This time Imbruglia pounces, striking Dani a chop-right hand on the jaw---Fishel responds in kind. Polite smattering of applause: in the States, people would be standing and screaming as torrid-punching beauties light it up. Fishel finally out of her trance and punching hard--she’s bending Natalie’s frame with hooks in the side, trading hooks on the chops and backing the brunette up. Fishel nice and compact, bringing her feet with her when she comes forward, always balanced. Two-way wear and tear starts to tell on Natalie--she’s in full retreat in the second half, no longer tossing in punches with abandon--heavy handed Dani taking over the bout for the first time. Fishel cleans up at the ropes, dipping side to side to pull shivering rights and lefts into Natalie’s pale flanks, Aussie beauty’s eyes glistening at the bell, body trembling from punishment: Dani gets a drink of water, finally gets some ice on a troubled left eye. Fishel sets up strong in front of Natalie, right hand cocked--Imbruglia with her dukes up at her eyebrows, digs in at the ropes.

R4: At the bell, Dani twists into a pounding right hand, bashing Natalie in the shoulder, shunting her into the ropes and the beating is on. Fishel really sharpening up--lethargy of the early rounds gone as she gets off with delicious, shattering spank. Dani straightening out punches to mix things up--pounding one-twos up the middle, then seeking mop up hooks in Natalie’s liver. Imbruglia grimacing, repeatedly banged to a seat on the ropes as Fishel systematically stays on her. Nat with the odd spin move, but Dani scuttling after her, pounding out a utilitarian, stubby jab to keep contact, then hounding Imbruglia to the next set of ropes. Fishel looking good through 4, crisp pinching, setting up the hook with straight, jarring punches upstairs--Natalie’s with a haunted, pleading look at the bell.

R5: Dani opens with that immediate, pounding right, scoring blunt into Imbruglia’s chest, sitting the Aussie goggle-eyed into the ropes--poor Natalie being bludgeoned at this point. Fishel putting everything together--a nice jab, staying low, scooting footwork to get herself into position first, then getting off with crisp, jolting leather in combination. Imbruglia floundering, trying to get distance, but running out of ring, trying to counter Dani’s chin with uppercuts off the ropes, but Fishel more elusive than usual and the punches that do land don’t faze her. Dani’s just too stocky, too strong, and too busy--Natalie’s getting beaten up. Another round ends with Dani pounding away on a doubled-over Imbruglia back and sides. Natalie looked parched, woozy--Dani’s victories denying Natalie the chance to recuperate properly as merciless Japanese rules add to the attrition.

R6,7,8: Minute after minute, round after round--Dani going at Natalie with the same relentless, sharp-punching execution. Each round starts with Fishel launching herself from just inches away into a crashing right hand, then pouring on a heated volley of thudding lefts and rights until Imbruglia can slide to the side or tie up. it’s just Dani breaking non Natalie in waves, Dani wailing the slighter woman down, Dani working, Natalie suffering, Halfway through the 8^th, ramshackle Imbruglia covered up and getting hammered hips and flanks--Dani sinks in a gorgeous cutting hook beneath the elbow, cocks, reloads and jerks a short left uppercut to Natalie’s chin and IMBRUGLIA GOES DOWN! Natalie dropped in exhaustion to her left hip, chest heaving, eyes watery--she’s done. TKO8 Dani Fishel.

After: Ceremonial bowing, various attendants dressing Dani in a victory kimono, then leading her out of the ring--Imbruglia brought around and taken away through another exit--all very sterile, detached. Dani given a steam bath and massage after the fight--tended to by a variety of silent Japanese women. Lying face down on the table, dozing. Dani is interupted by a Hotel messenger, She rises, clutching a white towel to her breasts, reads the telegram, Fishel crumples the paper with no expression and throws it away, trying to contain her anger. Telegram says--”TO: Dani Fishel/FROM: Krusher Inc/…congratulations in a terrific win…love , Janet & Elisha…END”.

Reposted by Archer 8/13/12.