Posted by Simguy. Sunday, 27-Feb-2000 12:16:56

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost )

Before: London date for Nolin as promoters take a page out of Tyson's book and look to build Gena's confidence overseas where she is wildly popular. Thurman once projected to be a doomsday big woman, never has reached that potential, but Nolin's gang-way style might give Uma the puncher's chance. Thurman in metallic navy blue bandeaux bikini, Gena in yellow string bikini top, black bikini bottoms, slicked back ponytail.

During R1 Gena not resting on her laurels, crashes her head hard against Uma's cheek to send the big girl reeling backwards, perfectly positioned for Nolin's overhand wrecking ball shots. Uma ropeside in the opening minutes, stunned by the butt, and taking right hands on her face struggles to defend herself as Gena mauls her. Nolin with a wide stance, reaching in with the left, bends her nubile frame into right hands until Uma's face is purple with abuse. Thurman ineffective with her back to the ropes, looks like she might burst into tears as she slides from corner to corner, taking potshotting rights to head and stomach from bell to bell.

R2 Both girls launch wild rights to open, and Gena's butt wobbles dangerously as she eats leather for the first time in the fight. Thurman awkward, inefficient with her punches, loads up and tries to get Nolin in trouble, missing with dramatic uppercuts and wide left hands. Nolin gets it together by the middle minute as the action becomes a wild slashing and slinging of KO blows - the girls stumbling and flailing all over the ring as the crowd goes wild. Late in the round, Nolin beats Uma to a crashing right hand on the face and Thurman drops to one knee, dazed. Nolin quick to whip a sweet left hook across the downed girl's face, puts Uma on her butt in trouble. Thurman can't get off her cheeks, and Nolin struts away with a wild KO2.

After: Fight under review for Nolin's cheap late hook, but Uma probably finished by the initial right hand. Savage, undisciplined action perfect for Gena Lee, who has a knack for broken field improvisation in a fight. Uma fighting panicky the entire time, didn't exactly look like world class comp - punking out at her first opportunity.

Sim Guy