Posted by Simguy on 10/14/2005, 6:50 am.

Before: Press turns out for the return of Halle B--but is this a one shot deal or the beginning of a new chapter for the Oscar-winning megastar? “I’m going to take it one fight at a time,”: shrugs Halle. “I’m well rested, I feel fresh and fit again, but well see how things go against Julianne. You know, I don’t think my skills or reflexes had diminished at all, but I was definitely chin-weary when I went on hiatus--too many big girls, too many hard punches in too short a time. I think Moore’s just right for a comeback fight: she’s tough, she’s smart, but I the end, she’ll be just good enough to lose if I’m on.” Moore champing at the bit--she’s got the chance to make history on her gloves and she knows it. “I’m very conscious of the fact that I could retire Halle Berry if I beat her big enough,” acknowledges classy red. “I need to be on her every round, making her feel old, making her legs quit, making her tummy quit, making her arms quit. I’m one of those who thought Halle was shot when she ‘retired’ and now I’ve finally got the opportunity to prove it. I can’t wait!” Halle in gold Swordfish bikini, spiky tousle--Julianne in black push up and panties.

During R1: Halle aggressive off her stool, baring her teeth: right hand at her hip as she shoves jabs into Juli’s chest. Moore dukes up, retreating, then hooking hard--she tags Halle’s chin a clubbing stroke at the minute mark to send a warning tremor down Berry’s legs: redhead over to offence. Trudging work to Berry’s midsection--Juli wading in, pumping away stocky rights and lefts drives Halle to ropes: Berry’s hands cupping Julianne’s ears, controlling her head, pulling the head down. Halle spinning cute off the ropes, spitting a brace of jabs to shake Julianne’s pursuit--down the stretch, Berry’s legs, dotting up and down poke have re-established order, Spirited fare, both women enjoying moments: competitive round to Halle on time of possession.

R2: Halle digging jabs to Julianne’s body to slow her advance, then easing onto right (back) foot to swipe that tangy hook across Moore’s chops. Tidy little right hand--Halle bending supple into it; comeback hook skidding off the brow--Berry scoring in combination has Moore baffled, baby-stepping in first minute action, Mission accomplished--Berry’s stung Julianne, made her tentative--Halle steering her girl to midring, pinning her to the body jabs; tattooing her head and shoulders with flashy combination clout. Juli on her heels, bewildered hy the speed--she’s ear muffing up, leaning back, crossing her arms as she leans forward: shutout Halle.

R3: Julianne jabbing with the jabber, stampedes Halle to ropes--redhead sets up brunette to do good work. Moore rubbin; and bumpin’ with that lead left shoulder/.extended left elbow routine--keeping Halle uncomfortable, jostling her. Moore clubbing away hooks, fitting right hands flat to Halle’s world-class paunch--systematic beating issued as Berry turns her shoulders, blocks and rolls competently under pressure. Final minute, Julianne steps up her attack on Halle’s rack--pulling at Berry’s guard, crowding in on her, then hup-hup-hupping away to jug. Had feelings at the bell--Berry scowling, pushing Julianne--ref gets involved before classy A-listers can get tawdry.

R4: Halle’s still got flashy hand speed: right at her cheek, lips pursed with effort, she rakes Julianne a triple hook body, ear, ear as Moore crouches forward. Berry with the right at her chin, left at he hip, rotating smoothly, face set in frowning concentration--she’s tearing it up on Julianne with delightful punching sequences, reminding everyone of just how good Halle Berry can be. Moore glum, trudging through it--more and more she’s committed to getting Berry’s back on the ropes and clobbering her as the only viable route to victory. Berry getting off in bursts, showing the left uppercut off the front foot; double and triple hooks off either foot; lead right hands off the front foot. Berry shiny with sweat of her exertions, pockets a gorgeous shutout, sending Moore back to her corner discouraged, grumpy.

R5: More Halle, harder Halle, She rocks Julianne that sneaky lead right hand early, doubles it to ring Moore up again, then clips her lips the hook while easing into the right (back) foot to avoid receipts. Berry so relaxed, seemingly effortless--she’s stepping right, bending down low under Julianne’s punches, walking Moore onto the left shoulder and shoving her back outside, off balance. Jab a pestering, disruptive force--Halle just using it to distract and locate her foe--Berry doing all her scoring with hard hooks, crosses, uppercuts in nifty 3 and 4 punch sequences. Moore crossing her arms, then showing earmuff, crouching uncertainly--Halle a master at touching Moore some decoy shots in the body to freeze her, then ring her up something choice o the chin. More than once, sturdy Julianne sent reeling as she’s chin-clouted a hook or uppercut she never sees. Shutout Halle--first signs of swagger from ol’mongoose as she passes by shoulder to shoulder with disheveled Julianne, giving Moore a taunting little wink en route.

R6: Tasty body shots cramp Julianne up--Halle fighting at Moore’s preferred range and beating her up with superior hand speed. Julianne sullen, tilting forward and getting shredded--she’s starting to just be there for Halle, guzzling whatever cares to offer. Berry in and out, smart with that left shoulder as she bumps, pivots or punches off the bump--Julianne frazzled, just doesn’t know what to expect next. Moore inching forward, rattled as Berry treats herself to flanks, back, ears, forehead, chin, midsection. Halle stepping back in good order, walking Julianne into punishment, turning cute at the ropes--Berry just thrashing, licking away with her compact strokes, now systematically outclassing Moore. Midway through, demoralized Julianne sinks to one knee, grimacing. Halle lifts mitts and struts away, but celebrates too soon as Julianne beats the count. Berry batting mitts together, face somber as she wades in: Moore covers up, digs in to receive the beat down. Not for the feint of heart: Juli butt in ropes, dukes at temples, leaning forward hurt but proud: Halle baring her teeth eyes ablaze, lets her hands go in a pelting, scouring flurry. Its all too much--Gloves swishing, bouncing off head, shoulders, back--Moore slowly beaten in stages to all fours, belly panting in and out as she rolls into her left hip. Julianne can’t get off her haunches--KO6 Halle Berry.

After: Berry climbing her corner ropes and drawing love from the crowd: triumphant return sees her turn back a woman many thought would be using Halle as a springboard tonight, Halle showing the hand speed and combination punching that made her a champion, but Moore’s failure to take Berry into the later rounds means we still don’t know how Halle’s legs would have held up down the stretch. Lucrative showcases with Demi Moore, rising star Maria Bello among others said to be interested in the Halle Berry Sweepstakes.

Reposted by Archer 7/12/