Posted by simguy on 1/1/2009

Before: Durance the most celebrated lightweight champ in recent memory; she's still very respectful where Kelly's concerned. "Kelly's dangerous," Erica admits in prefight. "She's tricky to prepare for. A lot of girls want to box Kelly, but with that jab and long legs of hers, she cuts off the ring well: you can't afford to let the judges see her be the aggressor. So you look to slug her, but if she punches-with and catches you - it's game over. I'll beat her with my stamina and better overall mobility, but it's gonna be tough: you'll see me move in to hurt her in spots because you absolutely need to get Kelly's respect in order to beat her over the distance." Brook sanguine on her own chances, flatly discounting Erica's prestige coming in. "She hasn't the sand to stand and trade with me," Kelly shrugs. "I look at Erica and I see a good - not great, but good - fighter who's gone on a hot streak - nothing more. I'm very confident that the punches which finished Biel will more than do for Erica." Durance in crimson Smallville bikini with navy trunks and crimson belt; yellow gloves. Kelly in scarlet bandeau bikini; black gloves.

During R1: Midring - Erica quick-pouncing: she hooks off the jab, jams a right hand to Kelly's jaw as Brook's extending arms to block. Kelly punched onto her heels - Erica stepping with, getting off straight n' stubby, busting Kelly to chops and breasts. Ropes: Kelly covers up, groans under a thudding brace of Durance hooks to ribs/waist: Erica working hard, lips tight as she palms Kelly's shoulder to stack her upright. Punishment amidships for Brook: Erica beatin' her beefy - ripping hooks to waist, then short-shrugging left/right hup-hup to generous British jugs, softening Kelly up. Brook a banged up beauty - shipping it onesided at ropes: Final minute sees her go with veteran clinches to tie up as Erica's position is too strong. Bell to bell Durance - giving Kelly a high octane dose of what the division's been suffering for a long time now.

R2: Erica: jab; quick step in with short, palm-down hook; left shoulder-bump on follow through to back Brook up. Kelly touched clean - falling back in good order: pretty eyes blinking as she tries to focus. Durance feinting - coming in off the jab: pretty vigorous attack here as Erica pressures Kelly up the middle, collapsing Brook's jab. Kelly punched to the apron, but turning to clear her back of ropes: she's in retreat, but still composed. Final minute - Kelly able to stiff-jab Erica's mouth while pivoting left - Durance poked into compliance, unable to penetrate. Brook wide-hooking Erica to breasts, backing her off: Kelly coming forward with resolve as Durance gives ground. Final moments, Kelly twitch-feints the jab; wide-hooks Erica's jaw instead; DROPS THE RIGHT HAND! Sudden, shocking delivery - Durance jolted to chin and DROPPED! Erica on her back - bell clanging - crowd roaring: Kelly smiles down, bats mitts in approval before strutting proud to corner.

R3: Kelly aggressive off her jab - leaning in on front (left) leg to jerk short-pump left uppercuts to Erica's breasts, then lean into murderous rights. Erica jolted to chin early - stumbling backward, then answering with both hands drumming against Brook's ribs as British beauty wades in. HAMMER AND TONGS! Kelly bares her teeth - widening stance and slopping back wide right/lefts to Erica's ribs in trade, ringing the champion. Durance grimacing, digs her way into Kelly's torso with rights under the left breast and torrid hooks to chin - both girls scoring heavy clout in fierce midring exchanges. Second minute - Kelly slapping hooks to Erica's cheek gets Durance backpedaling, then grazes her a whistling right cross that just misses. Durance covers up, ducks on reflex; Kelly hops in off her jab, arching her back for a right uppercut. Erica leans in, punches-with, catching Kelly a gorgeous clouting overhand right to chops as Brook's uppercut sails. KELLY'S HURT! Brook stamping in fence post holes, badly stunned: ERICA'S TEARING AT KELLY! Durance snarling, getting close to rip away left/rights with elbows in close for brisk delivery. Brook buffeted on either ear as she stumbles forward, hands limp in front of her face. Durance clapping away on jawlines, then jerking in right uppercuts - tidying up HUGE on poor Kelly. Brook staggering forward as she's shredded and KELLY GOES DOWN! Kelly bludgeoned in stages to canvas - hitting on her right shoulder, rolling to her back. Brook in stupor - eyes shut tight, left knee raising, then flattening out - she's too hurt. KO3 in rip-roaring fashion Durance as Kelly Brook can't get off her back.

After: Unexpected shootout sees Erica preserve her championship despite a near disastrous second. "I was hurt, I went down," Durance shrugs sheepishly. "To be brutally honest, she caught me, and I realized that I couldn't go the distance after that - I knew I had to gamble with her. My legs were gone, so really, all I could do was put punches together and hope to beat her to the mark. Fortunately, I caught her, and that was it. Whew!"