Posted by Simguy on 8/10/2007, 7:19 am.

Before: “It’s a mistake,” Henstridge shrugs in prefight, referencing the Foxfire youth movement at welter. “I understand where they’re coming from, but you can’t replace my experience with someone like Mandy. I’ve been in and out of the top 10 at welter for 7 years—I’m a proven talent. they should have made her my understudy for a couple of years—I could have shown her the ropes, taken her under my wing and maybe done some things with her. That’s not going to happen now. What’s going to happen is they’re going to get promising young fighter ruined.” Moore trying to be diplomatic—she knows she’s on the verge of shoving Henstridge out, trying not to step on too many toes in the process. “it’s a tough situation,” Moore admits. “I’ve been a fan of Natasha’s for years—but I’m nobody’s understudy. I’m thrilled that Foxfire wants me to be their welterweight, but I wouldn’t have accepted any arrangement that saw me as their number 2 in the slot. There just aren’t that many welterweight fights made on a given card—no stable can carry two big women. That’s unfortunate, but it’s the reality, and between the two of us, I think Natasha has less upside at this point.” Mandy well in midnight blue bikini, white gloves; hair in scruffy beach bun. Nat in black push up, black boy cut bottoms, white gloves; hair in short battle braid. Nat refusing to touch gloves at ref’s instructions, turns on her heel, leaving Mandy with gloves outstretched and egg all over her face.

During R1: Mandy heavy on her feet, but relaxed, knees bent; right at her chest, left at her tummy—jab slightly backhanded as she licks it out supple. Henstridge lips, pursed, hands chest high—stepping in a stiff stick to Mandy’s beefy uppercut, then looking to shave her a vicious chop-right. Moore taking little half-steps back—sliding her front (left) foot—just smooth little movement—enough to make Nat’s right hand miss. Mandy’s jab penetrating, and she’s dipping to her left to pull the slinging right hand over—good spank against Natasha’s chin, straightening blonde up. Moore’s feet may be a little slow, but her hands are quick—shoulders nice and loose—well oiled delivery generally catching Henstridge looking, Gentle rotation left—Henny the aggressor, but Mandy effective here—changing distance, keeping Nat at arm’s length. Final minute—steady big-girl boxing: Mandy with a stiff up jab startles Henny, then cleans up with a popping right hand, jolting Nat’s head. Henny’s legs give a shimmy—she stutter steps, hands low: Moore reloads, drops a BEEFY right hand flush to chin, really taking Nat apart in the knees, Blonder suddenly boneless—stepping in fence post holes—face stupid with hurt: Mandy eyes wide as saucers, stepping in as she tips a bit to left to load up, then licks a tart left hook clean across Natasha’s mouth with tipping right.

Mandy: tip-right to load up; slinging, walloping, rising right hand while tipping left—punch clapping loud on blonde jaw, twirling Natasha’s skull.

Mandy: tip-left slinging, loose-limbed hook rising and licking—heavy clapping blast pounding Nat’s face around with THUMPING force and DOWN GOES HENSTRIDGE!

Mandy: scowling fierce, bellowing down in the heat of the moment at Nat “TOO HARD!” before striding back to Foxfire corner.

Nat: flat on her back, arms outstretched, lips parted, eyes shut. Ref waves it off as there’s no way that relaxed body beats a 10 count, KO1 in devastating fashion—Miss Mandy Moore.

After: Moore jubilant—but not nearly as much as greedy network execs in attendance—SLAMMIN’ performance by the anointed one effectively removes Natasha Henstridge from contention. Speculation running rampant that Foxfire tried to sell the Dresden group damaged goods in Henstridge: no word on whether Henny can expect a contact out of this. Moore’s celebration cut short as brunette is classy enough to show concern: Henny a long time coming around—and when she does—33 times she tries to struggle up off the canvas as physicians hold her down to check her out. Pathetic sight to see of boxing’s hard women break down into shuddering tears of disappointment when it’s revealed she didn’t get out of the first round against Moore. “I’m just glad she’s okay,” Moore relates, hands clasped at her chest. “I haven’t cracked anyone like that since Casta—it’s kind of scary when they don’t even try to get up.” Mandy doing herself a world of tonight—opening the doors a title bout against Bjorlin or at least a title eliminator against Ali Landry; there’s a big money offer in the table from sexy-comebacking-cougar Cindy Crawford; A big rematch with Gena lee Nolin is always possible; on and on. Moore a hot commodity in a division that is always looking for one.

Reposted by Archer 12/17/09.