Posted by Simguy on 6/29/2002, 11:14 am.

Before: time to see who’s the better woman, neither warrior shying away from the sudden-death atmospheres surrounding this match. Notes on pundit in “Celebrity Ring”:

“Win, lose or draw, Famke’s really emerging from this rivalry in good shape. She was supposed to be a stepping stone, now she’s completely hijacked Peta’s timetable this year—Wilson’s had to focus entirely on this unexpected challenge. Trouble for both of them is the destructive nature of these fights—people just aren’t built to give and take the beatings these girls are lavishing upon one another.” If the last two meetings are any indication, Wilson’s got to deal with Famke’s jab—Janssen has to avoid taking too much to the body while breaking Peta down from outside. Peta in black two piece sports bra style top, Famke I red crochet bikini, hair up.

During R1: Famke rushing to center ring, claiming the real estate, setting up behind that piston jab, right hand at her cheek ready to bash out right crosses. Wilson with ther right at her cheek, left across her waist, moving her upperbody, changing directions as she gives Famke lateral movement. Janssen with the edge-she’s dictating terms—keeping Wilson on the end of her punches.

R2: Wilson lifting the backhand jab off her hip, countering over Famke’s stick with sudden right hands—Janssen starts to get tentative as the blonde steps it up. Still very close, competitive action, both girls getting off in spots—Famke working straight and long up the middle—Peta wider to the flanks, more apt to punch and pivot. Hard punching sees Wilson draw even—girls are scoring flush on occasion, each taking it without flinching.

R3: Janssen wins another tight round—recipe the same, take the center of the ring, work the jab, keep Peta defensive with sizzling right crosses up the middle. Wilson doing a nice job of rocking back with Famke’s right hand, absorbing the shock instead of walking into Janssen’s power as she has in the past.

R4: Strongest round of the fight for either woman, bell to bell Peta. Wilson gets it going to the body, slipping under Famke’s stick and jamming a hard right hand to the ear over top, then bulling her way to the redhead’s chest. Janssen forced to huddle up, tighten up her strokes—Wilson digging shoulder to shoulder, cheek to cheek and forcing her girl to the ropes. Final minute Peta getting big: keeping her head o either of Janssen’s shoulders, pushing and shouldering her girl, putting clubbing punches together to the body, arms and ears as Famke covers up. Solid beat down round has Wilson nodding in approval at the bell.

R5: Famke comes right back. Janssen shakes off her drubbing, starts knocking on Peta’s face with that bashing jab, driving the blonde o the corners, Wilson breaking down slightly, occasionally backing straight up and allowing Famke to extend on those murderous right hands. At the bell, Peta under siege, bending at the waist, bobbing and weaving with her back to the ropes as Janssen squares up and starts licking it up. Sensational rising blows carom off Wilson’s guard, chest and face, leaving her trembling as the ref pushes Famke back, Wilson busted up, cut in the mouth as Janssen inches ahead on the cards.

R6: Peta with a strong first minute, backing Famke up with swinging rights and lefts to the waist. Janssen roaring back, brawling her way off the ropes, then composing herself, picking Peta up with the stick and nailing her leaning away with the lancing right. And down the stretch, Wilson wins a series of exchanges, punctuating reckless trade with huge right hands upside Famke’s head—Belgian knees are buckling! Wilson seeing hurt in her opponent’s eyes, comer in off Famke’s left shoulder, chopping right hands over and over to the skull, beating Janssen in stupor to the ropes. Janssen digging in—Peta pushing in a measuring double jab, then BENDING into a blurring right hand—head snap Famke—and JANSSEN GOES OUT! Famke upright, hands at her chest, face blank as she tilts forward—Peta able to paste away, shifting her weight into tragic lefts and rights, then stepping away to allow Janssen room to sprawl. KO6 Peta Wilson in dramatic fashion.

After: Third fight just as close with both girls winning an equal amount of minutes—but over the three bouts it’s clear the punching’s taken a greater toll on the angular Janssen Peta just grinding her girl up—whatever reserves Famke had been able to call upon to will herself up off the canvas during previous knockdowns just aren’t there this time around. Wilson puts Famke behind her, with considerable relief—but Janssen now a marketable, dangerous adversary at welter.

Reposted by Archer 12/25/09.