Posted by Simguy on 9/5/2003, 6:07 pm.

Before: Re-tooled, reinvigorated Shakira in against one of pop music’s best little women—Halliwell a force to be reckoned with when she’s in shape. Geri not doing much in the recording studio these days—full time commitment to boxing showing up in a carved ribcage and six pack abs—she makes 100 in style. Shak being put in tough but old combative spirit is back—she’s anxious to meet the challenge. Geri in white sports bra, red adidas terrycloth trunks (Olympics cut), Shakira in brown leather bikini top with fringe, tan leather bottoms.

During R1: Very fast paced first as both women look to outhustle the other in a series of hard hitting exchanges all around the ring. Halliwell working in a series of hard hitting exchanges all around the ring. Halliwell working in the vertical plane, jabbing, chopping down with a right from the shoulder, then looking to pick Shak up the rigid left uppercut. Shak moving her head well, doubling up a stubby jab to chest, shooting the straight right hand, mopping up the hook., brisk, crisp punching from both women—Shak eats some rights and left uppercuts late to deliver a close round to Halliwell at the bell.

R2: Same carnivorous rhythm—girls tearing into each other, but both keep professional form. Halliwell’s left uppercut the right punch—she’s getting Shak to move defensively with the right hand and connecting beautifully with the rising left, often moving Shakira with the blow. Shak’s handspeed proved by virtue of straighter punching—she’s ratatat-tatting Geri back on heels with jagged lefts and rights up the middle, crouching to get under Halliwell’s right and turning over the forgot-me-not hook. Crowd pleasing give and go to the final minute when Halliwell leans onto her back foot, easing Shakira’s chin onto a perfectly placed uppercut and THERE GO SHAKIRA’S LEGS! Shak suddenly at sea, staggering to her left—Halliwell brushing nose a measuring left and POUNDING the left eye a smashing right—SHAK GOES DOWN! Little Shakira drubbed to her backside at the ropes, rolls to her right hip, trembling badly and it’s OVER! KO2 Geri Halliwell as Shakira can’t get off her butt.

After: Halliwell strutting in the vicinity if the downed Colombian, hands held high, making a nuisance of herself as concerned BSE officials try to coax Shakira to her stool. Hard to say what happened—one moment, both women are doing damage, going at each other with sharp, professional combinations, the next—Shak’s on her hip, hurt, paralyzed through the leg—Halliwell solving the Colombian chin with a perfectly delivered uppercut. SUN in Britain runs cover with Halliwell strutting away from a crumpled Shak—Geri demure little smirk of satisfaction—block capitals renaming Colombian as “WHACK-IRA!” Ouch.

Reposted by Archer 12/18/09