Posted  by simguy 4/25/03

Thanks to Ginny for this repost

Heigl all but dismissed in prefight, as one pundit puts it: "You can only be a promising ingenue so long, after that, you're punching meat. Katherine's game, but she's been taught how to lose - Tessie's too hungry for her." Santiago the girl with a curl right now - shutting out an inappropriately favored Liz Berkley, then stumbling - she's taking a well worn track to welter prosperity in Katherine Heigl. Katherine in black, tight, cropped t-sheet, bare midriff, black high waist aerobics trunks, ponytail - Tessie in red, ruffled bikini.

Round 1: Heigl nice and compact, rolling Tessie's jab, turning her body to take punches off her shoulders, staying in front of Santiago and driving up the middle. Good consistent pressure from Katherine - she banging away right hands beneath Tessie's left breast, putting brunette on her heels and turning over the B hook to Tessie's chops. Santiago outworked, banged up as Heigl establishes the heart punch early.

Round 2: Heigl staying on her girl, timing the heart punching right under Tessie's jab, shaking Latina legs in a series of early collisions mid-ring. Katherine doing a nice job of putting the hook on top - she's shaking Tessie in the body, then really cashing in, turning Santiago's head with tight, biting delivery. All adds up in the final minute - Tessie looking shopworn, extending her hands, weight on her heels - Katherine stuns her a thumping heart punch, turns over the hook and SANTIAGO'S DOWN! Tessie on her butt at the ropes, breathing through parted lips - she's stiff and achy beating the count.

Round 3: Heigl marching her girl down - right hands ramming hard to the chest, setting up the hook, then stepping forward as glassy-eyed Tessie gives ground. Santiago beaten to the ropes - she's sullen, pouting, palming up on Katherine to push her back but the blonde won't be put off. Katherine mixing up her attack like a veteran, really busting Tessie up in the midsection, then clouting that jaw as Santiago's standing up straight when hurt. Janet J jumping up and down in the corner, screaming giddily for combinations - Heigl's delivering. Final minute - crowd groans as Heigl shoves in a gorgeous right hand heart punch with an audible, sickening thud - Peep of pain from Tessie as she sinks ashen-faced to one knee. Santiago up at 8, but sobbing for breath - ON COMES HEIGL! Katherine just BLUDGEONING away - she's not blindingly fast on the flurry, but her punches know just where to go and she's committing to Tessie's destruction. THE REF JUMPS IN! Heigl bodied back as Tessie slumps out on her feet - TKO3 Katherine Heigl!

After: Heigl bawling tears of joy and relief, finally delivering victory to her KruZher overlords who have shown unprecedented patience with this curvy puncher. "It went just like we drew it up," says Kat in post fight, still wiping at tears, Janet Jones arm around her shoulders. "I hurt her bad to the body - really bad - and that allowed me to put punches together." Jones chimes in, "Katherine's always been a heavy handed girl - that's what we liked about her, but she can help herself by being busier. That one-punch at a time stuff won't get it done in today's FCBA - too many girls can box circles around that approach