Posted by Simguy on 01-Sep-1999 08:06:33

Before: Her 4 title defenses in ’96 had people calling Diaz the greatest celebrity boxer ever, but subsequent wipe outs against Jamie Luner et al have brought Cameron back to the back. Still, when on she has peerless boxing ability which is good considering her penchant for going down in fights, Kidman a solid, perhaps robotic boxer, should give Diaz rounds, but few think an upset likely. Kidman I her “Eyes Wide Shut” tank top and panties, Diaz in teal cotton tank top, panties. Cameron in a little heavier for the bout—reminiscent of the championship form she had in “Feeling Minnesota”.

During R1-3: Supposed good test evaporates as Diaz toys with Kidman early. Diaz so unpredictable, feinting lefts, then throwing a snapping double lead right straight up the middle. Using the jab to steer and control the opponent, turning Kidman, cutting up her face. Diaz ignoring the body as usual, but hard to argue with her dominance early.

R4: Kidman spoils the party. Stalking forward, trying to make the fight, Nicole takes advantage of a lazy Diaz jab to counter with a vicious chopping right hand, and Diaz goes funky-legged. Kidman able to step in, square up, lets her hands go, hammering Cameron about the head and shoulders with clubbing lefts and rights. Diaz able to spin off the ropes, uses her jab to run the rest of the round, but obviously tempted to go down early.

R5: Nicole’s not finished with Cameron. Stepping in behind a pulverizing Theron type jab, Nicole bangs back Cameron’s head and leans into a crushing straight right hand to catch Diaz bending backward, Diaz down in the first minute, cut in the mouth and weepy eyed. Up at 8, Diaz is rubbery limbed, pushing her punches, standing straight up, and easy meat for Kidman’s workmanlike clubbing hooks and crosses. A series of lefts and rights drives Cameron to the ropes, and she stumbles to her hands and knees for a second knock down, shaking her head in disbelief. Again Diaz shows heart, beats the count, and the rest of the round tentative, with both girls exploring one another’s mouths with lomg javbs, missing with potshotting right hands to the bell.

R6: Cameron restores a semblance of order, still getting hit more than usual, but back in control with that educated with that educated left jab. Kidman’s eyes beginning to puff up as Cameron won’t leave them alone. Diaz doing a nice job of varying the tempo, sometimes punching sharp, sometimes pawing, and bringing the left hand from different angles (ie: from the shoulder, off the hip, etc.)

R7: Action heats up as Diaz spanks some loud one-twos off Kidman’s guard early, prompting big banging left hooks from the redhead through the middle minute. All even down the stretch until a cute counter left hook on the ear from Diaz stretches Kidman out on the canvas for what looks to be a sudden KO. Nicole climbs the ropes to beat the count, but she’s out on her feet, and Diaz shows she’s still got the finishing touch. Merciless barrage of Ali-esque combinations, chopping down with right hands while lifting a rising, whipping left hook in from the side—and the fight is stopped. A bleary eyed Nicole wonders what happened as Cameron struts the ring with fists raised high.

After: Plenty of ring rust in this performance for Diaz, but flashes of that past form to give fans hope for a lengthy comeback. Another good journeywoman effort for Kidman, as she nearly pulls off the unthinkable with some hard punching in the middle rounds.

Reposted by Archer 12/18/09.