(UNIFIED WELTERWEIGHT TITLE ) by simguy 3/16/02

Campbell contingent really playing up the glory days, showing clips of outrageous Naomi right hands cascading off Theron's face in early showdowns. No question Campbell was the first to exploit Charlize' defensive tendencies in a meaningful way. Recent win over Janet Jones proves Naomi still understands how to attack classy blondes and bitter pre-fight harangues with Charlize show the brunette's gotten under her skin before the first punch.

White bikini top, leopard print bottoms for Naomi, cream string bikini for Charlize.

Round 1: Charlize draws a howl of outrage from Naomi with an early jab/thumb in the eye, setting up a spanking hook to the ribs. Campbell shoots back with a series of pitching right hands to the stomach that drift well low of the navel. Theron backed up and hurting, responds with a guillotine choke, slumping Naomi forward and exposing her back to clubbing right hand hammer blows until the ref can get in and break it up. Stern warnings all around as he reminds both girls he wants a "good clean fight." Naomi extending her left to Charlize' ribcage, measures the blonde for a crashing overhand right - Theron takes the skull-clocking shot on sturdy legs then leans into a slashing right hand across the mouth that does all the hurt! Campbell sputtering to the ropes on queasy legs - Theron walking her down like a school yard bully. Charlize fighting like a big strong welterweight, reaching in under Naomi's arms and propping her up in the corner, jamming away with right hands to the belly out of the wrap at the bell. Ref has to separate the girls as both want to land that last shot.

Round 2: Naomi getting something done with the measuring left, just pressing it against Theron's body, then pulling the right hand hard over the top. Theron getting her head pancaked to her shoulder, takes the blows well, but midway through she uses her legs, opening up the canvas to get Campbell to fan on right hands. Down the stretch, Charlize is able to get Naomi to over swing, then victimize the brunette with quick one-twos from outside Campbell's right shoulder.

Round 3: Charlize leggy; but she's not running, not really boxing - Theron determined to slug with Campbell, but doing it smart, not standing in one place too long, not letting Naomi set her feet. Still, it's Campbell coming forward, landing enough right hands to the head to get the crowd gasping. Charlize will take a plowing blow to her skull, dance away and shake her head "No" - but it's Naomi's round.

Round 4: Free swinging brawl careens around the canvas - high risk punching from both women in a wild first minute. Middle minute - girls wrap each other up and tumble at the ropes, trying to hold and hit, lace and elbow - it's cheap and nasty when the girls lock up on each other. Late in the round, Theron shoulder butts Naomi in the teeth, fits in a tight right hand as the brunette steps back, twists into a swinging left as Campbell continues to totter backwards, then leans into a smashing right on the face that sends Naomi reeling to the ropes! Campbell in tragic shape - staring helplessly as Theron wades in big - all Charlize to the bell as she lashes at her girl's glistening hips and lower back, taking Naomi's legs all the way out of this fight.

Round 5: Campbell grimacing, crippled as she minces forward - Charlize bodies up, muscles her girl to the ropes and starts to pile on. Palming the left against Naomi's shoulder, Charlize begins the heartless work of bludgeoning the fight out of Campbell with monster right hands. This isn't boxing, it's one girl taking a truncheon to another girl's face. Campbell, her hands low, taking punches; no longer able to defend herself AND THE REF STEPS IN! Theron giddy, clearly fascinated at the mess she's made of Naomi's face; Campbell swooning into the official's arms ALL banged up. TKO5 Charlize Theron.

After: Maybe the best brawling performance of Charlize' career - very few jabs, mostly trading power punches with a fearsome slugger in Campbell - it's very impressive. Theron using her legs just enough to retake the initiative whenever she lost it, taking advantage of Campbell's tendency to plant and stake all on those bombing right hands.

"The mistake I've made with Naomi in the past," preens Charlize postfight, "is treating her like she's a professional. Naomi wants you to get cute so she can fight with confidence. I hurt her early and reminded her every round that I was there to punch tonight. And I wasn't going to take any crap from her either - you've got to get justice immediately when Naomi takes advantage or else she'll do you like she did Janet Jones."

Hey, wasn't Theron the first to score with a cheap thumb? "Just being pro-active," Charlize says with a grin