(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Posted by Singuy on Friday, 01-Sep-2000 08:53:58

Before: Halle on the bubble - exquisite gym skills and physical assets just haven't translated to the real thing yet. Bridges a hammer fisted red head best known for a 3 fight war against Charisma Carpenter coming off a long layoff, but she's a warrior and should provide Berry with answers as to where she stands. Halle in pale blue bikini, short brunette tousle, Bridges in green crochet bikini.

R1: Halle showing off her smooth form, licks hooks against Bridges' tummy and cheek, nicely getting her hip and shoulder into the well turned punches. Midway through the round, Berry stepping right lands a bang bang hook/straight right hand on the chin that has Angela slumping forward in trouble. All Berry to the bell, heaping on fluid power punches as Bridges crumbles along the ropes. Angela out on her feet at the bell as Halle pumps lefts and rights up into the breasts until referee intervention.

R2: Bridges getting her jab working, finds Halle's face early, but a slick counter right hand over Angela's left has her on funky street midway through. Halle embarrasing Bridges with handspeed, goes to the body with hooks, bends into right crosses on the cheek to leave her redhead sagging on the ropes once again at the bell.

R3: Halle continues to dictate - legs opening up effortless angles, fists tearing through Bridges guard, mixing up well to the head and body. Angela firming up this round, takes the punches well, and manages to return fire with the right hand - but she's getting outworked by a wide margin - round to Halle.

R4: Both women working off their jabs, both scoring with solid combinations midring. Berry simply busier, more able to step to a new spot, making Bridges react and nailing the redhead as she makes her adjustments. Halle takes her fourth consecutive round - Bridges starting to lump up, slumps heavily in her corner during the break.

R5: Halle with a gorgeous fade, counter right hand, catches Bridges to open the round and spills Angela across the ring to hit the ropes in despair. All Berry this round as she sets up shop, staying in long enough to lash 5 or 6 punches, rocking back out of range, then sailing in again with those grooving punches. Bridges with her butt on the ropes, hands at her face, soaks up a tremendous beating this round, but significantly doesn't go down. Angela defiant at the bell - she's losing, but she's getting used to Berry's power.

R6: Angelica jabbing with Halle, throws hard straight rights to the body to back Berry up, and has the brunette clinching early. Berry grimacing at the tummy swabs, tries to dance away, but pulling straight back gets crossed up - Bridges lunging in with the right hand high instead of low and snapping Berry's head back to the oohs of the crowd. Halle hurt, stumbles away as Angelica pecks left hands, leans into rights to try to end it. Shutout Angelica Bridges as she beats a covered up Berry on the ropes at the bell - crowd roar drowns out the bell as Bridges piles on late.

R7: Halle panicky, starts out dancing, but Bridges cuts off the ring and makes her fight. Midway through the round, toe to toe action, Bridges beats Halle in a race to left hooks and BERRY IS HURT! Swooning out over her feet, Halle is helpless - Berry chopping face with a timing right and laying in with a whipping left hook has Berry reeling backward. Final minute sees Halle Berry takes some of the worst punishment of her career - Angelica Bridges fighting through the clinch, pouring on leather to Berry's ribs and face and HALLE GOES DOWN! Berry beaten to the canvas, looks stunned on all fours as Angela bellows in triumph. Bell sounds to save the brunette - she's all wide eyed and trembly on her stool.

R8: Halle shows some fortitude - recovering her composure, stepping to her left, popping the jab and setting Bridges up for a nice snapping hook high on the head. Bridges following, starts to get potshotted and midway through, Halle beats her to the hook - Bridges' head swivels loosely, mouthpiece dribbles out as her left hand sails harmlessly. Halle inexplicably backs off and lets Bridges come forward the rest of the way - Angela getting her legs back, actually looks the agressor at the bell as Berry circles.

R9: Toe to toe warfare erupts, girls leaning in forehead to forehead, bending their backs into right uppercuts, or sweeping hooks at one another's jaws and midriffs. No finesse here - Angelica with loose limbed rights and lefts from her knees, cudgels Halle about the ribs to take a brutal round in the trenches.

R10: Halle Berry gets back on her toes, and the fight gets easier. Bridges getting overanxious to close, walks into a diving right hand from Halle - Berry bending low on the followthrough, pushing a shoulder into Angelica's stomach - red head spills backwards on numb legs. All Berry the rest of the way as she steps with her girl, keeping the jab on Bridges' swollen face, fading back from the right hand and leaning in with counter rights on the chest or teeth to good effect. Berry posting the shutout, lifts her mitts at the bell, relishing the look of resignation on Bridges' shopworn face.

After: Unanimous duke Halle Berry. Bridges throwing the fear of God into Halle, but this was by far Berry's most complete performance of late. Soaking up bombs in the sixth and seventh, Halle answered critics who questioned her heart and chin while delivering enough TNT of her own to keep Angela honest.

Sim Guy

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