Posted by Simguy on Friday, 16-Jul-1999 23:10:55

Before: Packed Rose Bowl crowd for this battle between the legendary Graf and America’s latest sweetheart Chastain. Chastain portrayed as younger, stronger, faster Graf, but Steffi doesn’t take the bait, preferring to let her fists and legs do the talking. Not much known about Brandi’s boxing ability, but team mates cite her mastery in many a private locker room bout with the world’s best as ample evidence of her legitimacy in this contest. Black Nike jog bra and high cut trunks for Chastain. Teal addidas sprinters 2 piece for Graf (picture those Olympics shorts and tops). Very small gloves for both women.

During R1: Graf on the balls of her feet, looks to dance, but the young soccer star easily cuts off the ring and advances. Suddenly, Graf reverses her motion, walking Brandi into a slashing right to the mouth and CHASTAIN IS HURT!!! Brandi’s head turns violently to one side and comes back slowly--she reaches to clinch. Graf stepping back, ripping murderous punches to Chastain’s steel metal abs, and chopping uppercuts into the blonde’s head. CHASTAIN GOES DOWN!!! Brandi stumbles to all fours under the heat of Graf’s vicious combinations, and beats the count with a shocked expression. Graf wades in, steps back as Brandi jabs, then nimbly steps in with a counter right on the button, and Chastain wobbles again. Graf keeping the rhythm in and put on Chastain, loving it when Brandi reaches for her as it opens up the whole torso and chin for Graf’s sharp punching. CHASTAIN GOES DOWN! Brandi bludgeoned to her hands and knees a second time, beats the count as blood trickles from her mouth. Steffi, beginning to tire from her tremendous punch output, works Brandi’s face with a staple-gun jab--Chastain’s head batting back with reaching pounding connect. Bell sounds to end a huge 10-7 round for Graf, who turns sharply away from the reeling Chastain and marches back to her corner--all business.

R2: Graf comes out to finish the upstart, and runs into big trouble. Brandi still hurting, face swelling badly, but she’s all warrior, and she digs into Graf toe to toe. An exchange of hooks puts Steffi on her Heels, and a follow up right from Chastain rocks Graf. Chastain wading forward, ripping off clubbing hooks and slicing right hands and GRAF IS HURT! Steffi Graf reels to the ropes, her face going blank as she bends at the waist, trying to slip punches. Chastain slugs at Steffi’s waist, turning her hips into left hooks into the taut meat, ponytail flying, her own abs rippling into view as she slugs. Graf takes a brutal pounding on the ropes, sliding along to the corner where Chastain bodies up and beats Steffi ragged with non-stop lefts and right. Brandi begins to tire, and a slack jawed Steffi starts landing counter left hooks inside when the bell sounds to stop the carnage. Brandi thrusting her arms in the air is met with a crescendo of cheering from the pro US crowd as Steffi staggers to her corner.

R3: All Brandi Chastain as she leans into a crashing overhand right to the forehead to hurt Steffi early this round. Gripping Steffi about the arms, Brandi muscles the tennis star to the ropes, and begins a brutal slugging session, always holding Graf by the shoulder with one hand while digging into her with the other. Steffi sick and hurt looking, leaning in the ropes, unable to push the a stronger Chastain back, and unable to use her legs in this close quarters beat down. Graf puts her tired head ion Chastain’s shoulder in rest spots, but the soccer player repeatedly shoves her off, holds her and batters her to the bell.

R4: Steffi Graf digs down and finds the will to box, stepping to the left, ripping the best jab in all of women’s sport to the head and chest of  Chastain to control the action early. Hooking off the jab, Graf is able to bust Chastain up midway through the round, and a crushing straight right has Brandi momentarily wobbly butt. Chastain hurt, but stands her ground and toe to toe with Graf, finishes the stronger fighter.

R5: Steffi Graf starts with the stiff double jab, breaking Brandi’s rigid defense and landing some B right hands. Chastain following, starting to walk into punches, and a sudden left hook/right cross stuns her yet again. Chastain’s torso seems disconnected from her hips as Graf pounces, ripping those devastating combinations. Chastain leaning forward, trying to clinch as Graf digs at her ribs and rips at her jaw and CHASTAIN GOES DOWN!!! Brandi rolls to her back, eyes fluttering as she can’t take it any longer. Sensational KO5 Graf!

After: Brandi showed all the heart in the world in soaking up tremendous punishment from Steffi, but the tennis star exposed serious flaws in the youngster’s technique in this fight. No head movement--too much reliance on sheer brute force--certainly things Brandi can work on. Later, Graf will admit that she took as much punishment from Brandi as she can ever remember receiving in a fight.

Reposted by Archer 8/23/10.