Posted by simguy on 10/16/2004

Before: Ryan enjoying a groundswell of popular support - perennial bridesmaid getting another title shot against a dominant champ. "I don't think of myself as an underdog," shrugs Ryan in prefight. "I think so much attention is paid to my devastating power that people miss how complete I am. I'm just as complete as Jennifer - even though she gets a lot more credit for being a total-package type girl. My plan actually is to outbox her, hurt her, and finish her - in that order." Garner at ease - most dominant champ in boxing looking to really put her foot down and claim tyrant's dominion over lightweight. "As long as I get out of the first round, I should be okay," Garner quips. "Seriously - I've got healthy respect for Jeri and she's right: she doesn't get enough attention for her skills. No matter what the press says, she's not some knuckle-dragging, club-swinging cavewoman - she's my number one contender and I've trained for a triple threat opponent." Electric blue, bra style bikini Garner, red bikini Ryan.

During R1: Garner forfeits the round - taking to her bicycle and circling Jeri wide. Ryan stalking, laying out the jab - almost comical to see Jeri try to cut off the ring on someone who has no intention of standing ground whatsoever. Anyone ever see Randy Johnson rattle John Kruk during that All Star game by throwing over his head? Same thing here - girls grinning at the bell, swatting gloves - Garner giving Jeri her props, just using the first to get warmed up.

R2,3: Garner down to business. Jen hunching down, chin tucked, dukes up - tart jab spanking to Jeri's guard, shoulders, forehead. Ryan parrying, reacting - she wants to stay in the pocket to answer, but Garner's setting a very brisk pace. Jennifer stepping to either direction, wrongfooting Jeri, getting her out of position then dropping the short-arm right cross through the middle. Garner looking for snap-snatching hooks underneath, freezing Ryan with the right against the guard, gathering tummy with a biting left tangy off the abs. Jeri stalking, trying to set, blocking well defensively, but giving up the body shots - she's shooting back in spots, but it's not enough to take two very active rounds.

R4: Jeri pumps stick, good things happen. Garner forced to move to her left as Ryan wisely spots the jab - champ steps into Jeri's right hand end of minute one. Short, gem-cutting cross off the chin - electric buzz of shock through Garner's backside and legs - she's stomping hurt, covered up panicky as Ryan steps-to. Jeri grim as she hooks the bejesus out of Garner's stubborn tummy, using the right palm and extended left elbow to push Jennifer back to the ropes. Withering shove and slug - Ryan stacking Jen up and going at her - measured long armed hooks downstairs, whistling chin-seeking rights up top. Garner grimacing, dukes at her temples, moving her head, bending at the waist - she's doing a nice job preventing Ryan from landing flush upstairs. Ryan banking a solid shutout, wearing out the Garner midsection this round - gotta do it if you want those legs quiet for the last half.

R5: Garner rebounds - she's every bit a champ tonight. Spritzing jabs have Ryan leaning onto her right foot, hands up - Garner able to lean in and slant driving right hands down into the body. Straight, smashing punches - Garner wheeling left, jabbing Jeri upright, stabbing her to the midsection, collecting jagged left uppercuts off the front foot. Scintillating display of ratatat punching culminates in a splattering series of crisscross lefts and rights threading through Ryan's guard late. Jeri spilling back on her heels, hitting the ropes wide-eyed - burst of head punching finally gets through and rocks blonde backside this round.

R6: Jeri busting up slightly - Garner gets back on with the same routine: jolting jab, straight right hands body and mouth, quick-jerk left uppercuts and the pivot left to renew. Ryan getting touched - staring into the punishment, but bravely holding her ground - she can't afford to start backing up in the face of Jen's gatling gun press. Midway through - Garner edges in off the jab to hook Jeri hard at the trunkline, both girls straighten to hook the offending chin and RYAN HAMMERS HOME RIGHTY! Shattering blast catches Garner just easing back, swiveling the head - Jennifer paralyzed, legs locking up as torso keeps tilting backwards - JEN GARNER'S DOWN! Garner stretched out, legs quivering stiff and straight - eyelashes fluttering. She rolls to her right shoulder, trying to shake it off but NO! Count passes Garner by - KO6 for the winner and NEW lightweight champion - Jeri Ryan!

After: Garner helped to her stool and brought around in stages - ring floods to celebrate boxing's new lightweight queen. Usually stoic Jeri crying freely, hugging her trainer, shuddering with relief and joy - Ryan one of boxing's long suffering beauties breaks through to winner's circle after long title drought. "I'm just so thrilled," says a choked-up champ, "It's been a tough year for me, but this makes up for everything. I never lost faith, but it was hard, watching Cat last year and Jennifer and Jessica rule this year, wondering if it was ever going to be my turn. I don't have the most supportive stable in the world if you know what I mean, so it was hard to keep my head up. But that's all behind me now." Camera catches Ali Landry: lips pursed, arms and legs crossed, clearly non-plussed by the Jeri-mania going on around her. Upon recovery, Garner classy, shaking Jeri's hand and congratulating her in-ring - Jen offers a few words. "You know, my whole plan was not to get beaten by that right hand and what does she do? I felt I had her under control for the most part and I had her hurt in the fifth - just not as hurt as I thought! What can I say - I had to give Jeri a shot and she cashed in on the opportunity - she's a great fighter and she'll be a great champ until my rematch comes up!"