Posted by Simguy on 5/2/2003, 10:08 am.

Before: JLH on an unlikely KO tear, but party could be over. Management bringing in veteran redhead and ex champ Gillian Anderson to ask the tough questions of their rising star. Anderson a beefy 125 just 3 weeks before the fight—short-notice struggle to make the weight could be a factor. Hewitt in white string bikini, Anderson in dark purple push up and panties.

During R1: Hewitt very aggressive, back foot pushing off that right big toe—zesty jab/straight right hand combinations snapping off smartly. Anderson listless, defensive minded—she slouches to the ropes, chin tucked behind left shoulder, giving Hewitt half a body to shoot at, nice littler slips and head movement take the sting off Jen’s shots. Still, Hewitt the only one throwing—she brushes up for the shutout.

R2: Gillian obviously conserving energy, fading to the ropes, setting up to counter with left hand low, chin tucked behind left shoulder, right hand up around the mouth. Anderson doing a nice job slipping Jen’s jab, but brunette unconcerned—Hewitt brisk n’busy as she puts rights and lefts together in straight-punching combinations. Anderson digging back in spots, testing the Hewitt gut firm, short cuffs—but not enough to impress the judges. Jen able to step out any time she wants and looks things over—no pressure or pursuit from Anderson.

R3: Gillian countering very effectively in the first minute—she’s rolling at the ropes, coming back at Jen with clouting little shots inside—Hewitt forced to back off at last and regroup. Second minute, Anderson switching to lead, pawing then stinging her jab, looking to bend into tight right hand  on the jaw. Final minute, Hewitt dragging her front foot as she slides back, runs Anderson into the check-hook, steps right behind a lifting jab to the mouth and DRILLS the sharp right cross to chin! Anderson put wobbly—covered up rattled—Hewitt gets busy to the breadbasket with savage lather. Anderson doubled oiver and taking at the bell—JLH steals a Gillian round with late thunder.

R4: Jennifer’s bringing out the quit in Gillian! Anderson slouching wt the ropes again, hard to hit clean when she clams up, but there’s not enough back o keep Hewitt honest. Jen keeping up a brisk peppering of left sand rights—occasionally shifts her weight to sink a fist hard in behind Anderson’s protective elbows. Hewitt also using her elbows on follow-through: punching, then drawing the elbow back high and sharp to set up the opposite hand. Gillian mouth-breathing, looking pined and shopworn through 4.

R5: Jennifer’s putting’em together—and Anderson’s knees start to buckle. Gillian covering up under a rigid lather then bailing out—she just can’t handle the volume. Hewitt stepping with and NAILING Anderson with the roving right cross—Gillian midjudging distance and getting her head bounced. Anderson sitting in the ropes, right hand at left cheek, left across her gut—she’s bent forward, not answering back and HEWITT UNLEASHES! Jenny just helping herself scooping at Anderson’s pale gut, clouting her temples, reaching down and hooking kidney as the redhead leans forward helpless AND THE REF STEPS IN! Anderson blinking back tears arching her back in pain—Hewitt leaps away the TKO5 winner!

After: Hewitt climbing the corner ropes and bellowing at the crowds, flexing her right bicep in a classic one-keg pose. Anderson looking tired, out of shape—she drops every round in sorry fashion, complains bitterly about Jen’s kidney punching—but where was the work? Hewitt sharp offensively, but it was a counter-hook in the third that finally got to Anderson—nice blend of offense and defense for the kid in perhaps her most complete performance.

Reposted by Archer on 10/16/09.