Posted by Simguy on 1/27/2002, 9:28 am

Before: (Marseilles) Claire takes on French rival Virginie on the latter’s home turf, perhaps a sign of the blonde’s confidence in the rematch. Ledoyen a free swinging brawler in the Teddy Reid mold--Danes will look to exploit the cavernous openings the brunette creates, use rapier thrusts in between Ledoyen’s scything hacks. Fought outdoors under a Mediterranean sun, Claire in black bandeau bikini, Ledoyen in black leather bra style bikini.

During R1: Claire getting off first, ruining Ledoyen’s wind up with chopping jabs to the face, whistling right crosses on the teeth, Danes stepping smartly to either side--lateral movement, forcing adjustments on the brunette who can’t get position to flail. Down the stretch, Claire accurate punches add up--Ledoyen starting to drift. Virginie wails away on a tightly covered up Danes at the ropes--Claire blocking every wide, thudding blow on her gloves and arms, then dropping a beautiful counter right over Virginie’s left shoulder to shunt the brunette to her backside. Claire stepping over the tangle of her opponent’s long legs as the blonde struts to her corner--Ledoyen ROCKED at the bell.

R2: Claire doubles up on the jab, licking it diligently to her opponent’s eyebrow and continuing to move after punching. Virginie following, not cutting off the ring--Danes well-timed escapes to the side have the brunette sweeping at air. Down the stretch, Ledoyen once again has Danes covered up and bobbing near the ropes--French girl ham handing away with whip-armed, wide lefts and rights--Claire taking the edge off then impacts, but she doesn’t answer back this time. Must have forgotten she’s fighting in France.

R3: Claire settling into a routine now. She’s jabbing Virginie well, turning the brunette, setting the tempo, using the ring. Ledoyen’s sweeping hard leather, but it’s predictable stuff for the most part, splattering loud against Danes’ defense as the blonde sees it, huddles up to block. Midway through, Ledoyen launching one of her ponderous series, switched focus reefing away to Danes;’ taut lower belly with lashing strokes, then suddenly curling up off the tummy a with the left uppercut. DANES GOES DOWN! Claire startled by the lick off her face, sits awkwardly at the ropes--Virginie stooping in to add an extra slapping right across the face ad the ref is late in bundling her away. Claire pushing up ion the ropes, falls back down and doesn’t seem to know how to get off her butt. Another try and IT’S OVER! Claire Danes can’t shakle off the paralysis--KO3 Virginie Ledoyen.

After: Ledoyen outclasses, but kept pitching--she doesn’t have the slick delivery of a Liu, Pressly, or Dushku, but she hit’s a TON when all the parts of her swing get together--Danes just hanging in the pocket too long. Softened up by the hard touches across the belly, lost her concentration for just a second, Thandie Newton said to be interested in Ledoyen on French soil--Kelly Packard also willing to make the trip if the price is right.

Reposted by Archer 4/1/2013