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15 October 2005 Erica Durance vs Carla Gugino

Page history last edited by Archer844 14 years, 1 month ago

 

 

Posted by Simguy on 10/15/2005, 9:45 am

Before: Gugino shedding 10 pounds, coming in a taut 122 or so for this test: she's a Jewel Kilcher or Neve Campbell sized fighter against Erica. "I like to wrestle heavy," says Carla in prefight, "but when I want to do some serious punching, this is my fighting weight. I also need to be quick against Erica - I can't expect to just step-to her and knock her out." Durance similarly respectful, confident her side of the dais: "Carla's got power, durability and a strong mind," Erica admits, "to beat her, I've got to be technically better. There are certain key things we need to get against Carla: if I get them, I win, it's as simple as that." Gugino: hair in a messy up, bangs framing her face, twist tie navy halter bikini top, sporty white bottoms - Erica in shades-o'-blue setting sun motif bikini, puncher's ponytail, bangs.

During R1: Gugino crouching forward, moving hands from crossed arm to temples and back - good upperbody movement on approach. Erica spitting jabs, being first, stepping sharply left - so called 'enforcer' showing classy early, giving Carla lateral movement, angles and pace early. Durance keeping Gugino at the end of her stick, shooting a sharp right hand from the shoulder - Carla unfazed, but held at bay: a few scraping body blows all Gugino can muster against a vibrant Erica D in the first.

R2: Erica wins that first minute with a crisp, scolding jab, sharp lateral pivot-steps, then shows brilliant defence in holding Gugino scoreless this round. An eye-opener: Erica dropping her right foot back while bending forward at the waist - elongating her stance while slipping Gugino's power, then standing up neatly out of range.

Erica blocking shots at her temples, bobbing, weaving, sidestepping out of trouble - nice blend of upperbody smooth and leggy distance management. Carla flustered - she's throwing hard with little to show for it through 2.

R3: Erica wins that first minute with brisk step-and-poke - now clearly a deliberate feature of her fightplan tonight. Being first gives Erica options - she can press with right hands tidy to Carla's ribs, back off and walk Carla into check hooks, circle and manage Carla midring with more boxing.

Gugino unfazed by clean Durance connects, but unable to get off - she's doing a lot of chasing, getting her footwork exposed tonight as she consistently fails to cut off the ring. Another nice round of classy boxing - Durance pocketing minutes, taking no chances through 3.

R4: More defence from Durance, luring Carla to ropes, freezing her with feints, spinning around her. Gugino hard to discourage however - she's still coming forward, getting a little closer, banging Durance' arms and ribcage with more authority this round. Forced to trade, Erica responds in kind: spicy two way exchanges punctuate the tangiest round of the fight so far.

R5: Erica wins the first minute jabbing, settles in shoulder to shoulder to fight Carla rest of the way. Bruising, banging trade - girls hunkering in, taking turns hook-hooking each other's chests and cheeks. Carla much more at home hammering away with Erica, but Durance can afford to trade tit for tat, knowing she's already bagged the opening minute clean. Another round for Durance - chin up, eyes bright as she struts back to her corner: she's in total control through 5.

R6: Erica wins the first minute jabbing, settles in shoulder to shoulder to bang. Girls rotating gently clockwise as they clout away hooks. Durance mixing things up with little chin-tugging left uppercuts on occasion: Gugino clubbing rights and lefts, fists bouncing off Erica's shoulders, biceps and skull. Brawling is even: Erica's early boxing separates her on the cards again.

R7: Erica wins the first minute jabbing, moving, but also hurting Carla at long last. Strong, straight Durance right hands pounding past Gugino's defences - sturdy brunette rocked back on her heels for the first time tonight and

Erica presses the advantage.
Durance punching her way into Gugino's midsection with thick, walking rights and lefts -
Carla grimacing, crossing her arms as butt touches ropes.

Erica so snappy-crisp with her punches - busting Carla uppercuts, hooks and crosses in little bursts, then shouldering and nudging Carla to reset. Gugino refusing to punk: she can't fight her way off the ropes, but she's banging back well, landing loud amidships at the bell.

ANOTHER round for Durance - fight is competitive and close in the ring, but on the cards, Erica's done a much better job of framing the rounds, constructing points.

R8: Erica wins the first minute again, settles in mouth on shoulder to brawl Carla to a standstill. Tuff slogging toe-to-toe - not much true clinching going on - girls shoulder-jostling a lot, reaching in to body the opponent back a step, but it's mostly clubbing turn-taking. Hard working grins on both faces - both love to swap like this, but Erica's disciplined ring generalship really separating her tonight.

R9: Erica wins that first minute again with those spitting jabs and brisk lateral movement, but Carla's smashmouth brawling finally carries the final two minutes. Erica unhurt, but clearly outfought toe-to-toe this round - she just can't hold her ground as Gugino slugs her way forward.
Durance on the ropes - very alert, dukes at temples, face taut with concentration - she's reading Carla's shoulders, blocking a lot of Gugino's hamhanded haymakers. Carla muscular, using her shoulder/extended left elbow to prop and rub Erica preparatory for bashing rights and lefts - Gugino finally getting the better of Durance's ribs, jugs and tummy this round. Durance acknowledging the work after the round, slapping right mitts with Carla before going to respective corners.

R10: Change up: Erica using her legs early to completely shut Carla out, then punching sharp one-twos to win the final minute and deny Gugino more points. Carla coming forward strong, but not cutting off the ring: footwork deficit has plagued Gugino all night long. Durance' eyes bright as she gets off late - crisp, abrupt one-twos raking Carla's crossed arm defence, keeping Gugino at arm's length to the bell. Hugs all around - pure sportswomanship tonight and Carla the first to hold Erica's hand aloft in admission of a clear decision tonight. Comes back UD10 wide Erica Durance.

After: Durance confounding experts and fans alike - Erica showing a Jenny O-Dell like ability to shape rounds with smart boxing, fighting hard in spots to deny Carla momentum, showing defence to rattle Gugino's puncher's confidence - it's a comprehensive, very professional outing. "I knew Carla was expecting all out war, and I knew I'd have to punch with her to get respect," fresh n' sweaty Erica says in postfight, "but I didn't have to fight stupid. I wanted control of the points with my jab, I wanted control of the ring with my legs, I wanted to get the better of the body punching and I knew if I got all those things that Carla would have to knock me out to win. I dominated tonight and I'm proud of that: Carla Gugino's no joke.

 

Thanks to I.Q. for this repost.

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