Thanks to FightFan for this repost

MAXIM LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

Posted by Simguy. Saturday, 27-May-2000 14:49:08

Before: Margolis largely successful in erasing that made-for-T label that had dogged her early career, turns a lot of heads by issuing this challenge - Tia's going to have to get used to this until she plants one of these blondes. Carrere fielding questions she's never seen before - is the chin still there? Is the will still there? Reportedly b###h slapping a female reporter for implying that Tia might be shot. Cindy's been there and thinks she knows the answers: "Tia's still a force, no question, but she does get hit and she's wearing down. I think I'm too much athlete for Tia Carrere, especially with the beating she's taken recently." Carrere back in the ring not 8 weeks after getting waxed by Nolin, and 4 weeks after a tough pounding from Heigl - 3 KO losses in a row would be unacceptable. Pink string bikini for Margolis, black sports bra, red Adidas terrycloth trunks for Tia.

During R1, 2: Tia doing her thing, walking her opponent down, sets a good workmanlike pace through two. Carrere walking in with her left up, palm out to catch, then coming into Margolis1 gut with curling, very heavy right hands. Cindy not moving as much as she has, either because she wants to trade, or because Tia's body work has those legs feeling sluggish.

R3: Against orders, Cindy stands midring and slugs with Tia, both women getting in their licks at medium distance as neither takes a backward step. Carrere having no trouble lining Cindy up, and those heavy right hands, working inside and outside Margolis left elbow are starting to take a toll. Late in the round a digging right to the pit of the belly bunches Cindy up, and Tia cuffs Margolis to her hands and knees with a clubbing left hook on the ear. Carrere looking her old self through 3 as a wobbly Cindy M beats the count at the bell.

R4: Shutout Tia Carrere. Tia in complete control, bodies up and pushes Cindy around the ring, working to the body and head without fear of reprisal. Margolis looking shaky legged - in retreat from Tia, covering up and taking like it's her birthright whenever Carrere stands and throws.

R5: Cindy thought Tia could be hit and it's finally true as Tia walks straight in, catching a snapping left hook on her chin and meandering sideways with a stunned expression. Margolis beginning to move, twirls left hooks, slinging right hands at the brunette, driving Tia to the ropes, and connecting on a huge percentage to keep Carrere under wraps. Tia showing the lapses that have cost her recently gives up a shutout and returns to her corner a little rocked after impressive output from Cindy.

R6, 7: Tia shaking off Cindy's punishment returns to the midriff, reaching for Margolis' right
shoulder with the left and pitching in right hands to the stomach that have Cindy frozen with accumulated damage. Margolis getting worn down, laying in with Tia, unable to get any rhythm as she is held and clubbed by the relentless brunette.

R8: Cindy taking chances, has her best round as she lets her hands go. Margolis able to beat Tia to the punch and Carrere freezes when hit, posing with her hands at her chest, chin out, eyes blinking as Cindy gets off. All power punches from Margolis, ruining Tia with double lefts setting up straight right hands to the face and CARRERE IS CUT! Tia on the ropes as a trickle opens over that left eye - Margolis working hard with her lanky combinations has no trouble bashing Tia's head from side to side. Great Cindy round scored as a 10-8 without the knockdown as Carrere sags on the ropes, soaking it up at the bell.

R9: Margolis mounting a late charge, showing her fitness superiority by making Tia punch and getting the better of the exchanges. Carrere winded, arm punching now and getting her head snapped back as Cindy answers with authoritative, snapping punches. Cindy behind on points, but Tia looking tired, shopworn late.

R10: Carrere sucking it up, finds 3 more minutes in reserve and takes the fight to the blonde with patented pressure. Carrere bullying her girl to the ropes, clutching at Cindy's shoulder with the left, PLOWING the right hand in sidearm over and over to the waistline as Margolis folds. Cindy answering back with left and right uppercuts, but she can't make Tia back off. All Tia down the stretch as she shoves her blonde up against the ropes, then digs into her belly with heavy ground strokes, rolling her brawny shoulders inside to keep those punches short. Cindy going the distance, but finishing up woozy as Tia's fists pound out the decision. Unanimous duke Tia Carrere.

After: Margolis not too shabby in going the distance, but Tia the big news, answering the critics with a gutty performance to eke out the win. Flaws exposed by GLN are still apparent -Tia getting hit way too much, and making average punchers into good ones by walking into their shots - but you still have to survive Tia's heavy right hands to win.