UNIFIED BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE

Posted by Simguy on b1/20/2001. 12:17 pm.

Before: Big bantam showdown with Asian bragging rights on the line, but this is a tough match up for Liu. Lucy’s only edge is her wheels--she’s got to keep Kiana changing directions--Tom’s legs have been suspect for a couple years now and Lucy can keep Kiana off balance if she executes. Black thin strap sports bra, red aerobics bottoms for Kiana, black push up, leopard print boycut trunks for Lucy, slick ponytail.

During R1: Kiana out with the Hearns look, stalking Lucy with the low left, right hand coiled at the chest, Liu circling, covers a lot of ring, but Tom the clear aggressor--judges can’t see it any other way in a tactical first.

R2: Liu lunging in from way outside, counting on her quickness to protect her as she drops big right hands on Tom’s face, then scoots back as Kiana turns. Midway through, veteran Hawaiian times he rush, takes a step back and NAILS Liu with a right, rising left hook. Tom snapping the fist back to her chest on follow through--and Liu GOES DOWN! Stumbling to all fours, Lucy’s up quick, but she’s on the run the rest of the way as long-legged Kiana lopes around the ring in pursuit.

R3,4: Lucy wising up, makes this fight a track meet as her trainer tells her, “Lucy, I wants to hear boos.” Liu in constant side to side motion, content to chew up minutes of clock, forcing Tom to chase without a punch thrown, then stealing the points with a late flurry or the occasional sweeping bomb thrown to the waistline. Tom clearly frustrated--she’s not cutting off the ring, she’s giving the odd potshot and getting turned around as Liu works her game plan.

R5,6: Both rounds scored draws as Kiana starts using the jab to hound Liu into traps in the corners--Lucy still bounding on the outside, touching up Kiana’s ribcage with diving right hands and escaping without receipts. Tom taunting Lucy, trying to get her to fight--but this ugly rhythm less action is exactly what Liu wants.

R7,8: Liu finally takes the lead on cards, taking both rounds as boos pour forth from the crowd. Lucy changing directions, staying low, lunging in to backhand a jab against Tom’s tight middle, then leaping away--Kiana stomping after the smaller Asian but unable to bring the big guns to bare. Liu taunting back, hands at her sides as she dances to her left, leaning away from Tom’s jab, smirking as she easily ducks inside and under that whistling right, At one point, Liu stand flat footed, right in front of Kiana and puts on a slipping clinic, making Tom kiss over half a dozen lefts and rights with supple upper body gyrations--Liu bouncing away, sticks out her tongue--probably the most violent thing that happens in these rounds.

R9: Kiana ignores the head and has some blistering success downstairs, cranking the lanky left hook into Liu’s midriff and putting a wince on the beautiful face for the first time in the fight. Liu answering back, coming out of her deep crouch to slap quick strike right/lefts against either side of Kiana’s jaw--taller girl looks surprised as she takes the punches flush. Down the stretch--Kiana lifting the jab off her hip maneuvers Liu to the ropes--Lucy bending low, slipping right and left as Kiana misses over the top when suddenly, Tom dips a shoulder and licks a low slung left hook under Liu’s chin. Lucy’s legs electrified, she reels back into the ropes with a shocked expression and Kiana bends into the “go home’ right hand. Punch splatters against Liu’s left eye, snuffing Lucy out like a candle in the wind. Sitting limp in the ropes, Lucy is helpless, and a heartless Kiana Tom clips an extra left hook, right uppercut off the face as the ref steps in a second too late as Liu is carried out of the ring on a stretcher.

After: Lucy almost pulls it off, frustrating Kiana for 9 rounds until the Punching Polynesian finally got the range. Relays of the knockout are truly sickening--Lucy so defenseless, sitting peacefully on the ropes--that licking left against her face, then the curling right--Tom taking out her frustration with flagrant late work that will earn gher a hefty fine in the days to follow. Still, Kiana pries the belt from Lucy’s cold, dead fingers as bantam gold proves to tough to hold.

Reposted by Archer 3/13/11.