Before: Weeks and weeks of training for, fighting with, thinking about, and listening to each other clearly fraying nerves in both camps: girls getting into pushing squabbles, refusing to pose together for photo-shoots, and being furious with each other with little or no provocation. "I think it's great," says flyweight Natalie Portman in a Celebrity Ring interview. "Sarah should have taken her win over Virginie and run for the hills: now she's embroiled in a life and death struggle that's taking a lot out of both of them. I've got a good mind to swoop down and kick both their butts once they're finished." Hilarie Burton another top rated fly who's loving the Carter/Ledoyen hatefest. "I'm really pulling for Virginie. She's been a terrific fighter for so long, and Sarah's just a complete witch - it's really good to see her struggling against Ledoyen." 2 KOs a piece - third time's a charm for one of these slender sluggers. Sarah in tan sheepskin western motif bikini - long low ponytail (smooth); sheepskin boxing mittens; UGG boxing boots. Virginie in coffee-dark brown bikini - matching curls loose and long; UGG boxing boots; sheepskin boxing mittens. Girls maintain smouldering eye contact throughout stare-down - both refuse to touch gloves.

During R1: Carter weight on right (back) foot, pointing her left toe as she leans away, then shifting her weight forward to crouch down, licking right/left to Virginie's body, then shifting to back foot while pulling the left across Virginie's chin. Ledoyen supple, flat footed as well - crouching and leaning, hooking to chin off her right foot; dropping right hands as she's bending in and down. Hot tossing - girls twisting and dipping into wriggling deliveries - flush contact hard to come by. Down the stretch, Ledoyen lands a thudding right hand to jaw, startling Carter and leaving her wide-eyed. Virginie able to follow up a smart left hook to sternum - cramping Sarah - then stroking Carter's chin a clean right cross at bell. Sarah's wobbly butt, stricken: Virginie giving her a haughty looking over as nervous ref moves in.

R2: Sarah still a little stiff legged - trudging into Virginie and trying to put one-twos on little French woman. Ledoyen coy - sliding away, crouching, pivoting - she's making Sarah miss, then making her pay. Virginie opens her scoring with the right hand again - tagging Sarah's chin with timing punches from outside - bending low and follow through and pivoting out of harm's way. Carter's knees loose, but she's coming forward, looking to press Virginie. Ledoyen's legs taking over midring - she's swivelling to her left - jabbing Sarah's chest out of spite. Carter turns, hooks - but she's too wide: Virginie able to step in, drift a short, vicious right hand to chin. Sarah clipped hard - legs freezing - she topples to her back, eyes blinking stunned. Virginie seething, nostrils flaring, looming over Sarah's feet: LEDOYEN STOOPS, POUNDS A RIGHT HAND TO SARAH'S TUMMY! Carter crying out, hugging her body - ref pushing Virginie back, then rushing back to give Sarah her count. Carter crying, rocking side to side - she manages to roll over right hip, get to her knees and IT'S OVER! Good lord - KO2 Virginie Ledoyen.

After: 3 fights - 3 shootouts - Carter getting outside her comfort zone to slug with Virginie: beautiful blonde shocked into defeat as a result. Chaos in postfight - both corners charging the mound - threats shouted back and forth in the wake of Virginie's heinous tummy-punch on downed Carter. Girls themselves get nose to nose at one point, heatedly shrieking themselves hoarse. "As far as I'm concerned, this isn't over," a teary eyed Sarah says, icy veneer gone in the wake of an emotional defeat. "I'm pushing for a fourth fight - whatever it takes. There's no way in hell Virginie Ledoyen is half the fighter I am. Her cheating proves that." All smiles and hugs in Ledoyen's corner: Virginie proving once again that she's very tough to overcome in a series. "I've weighed Sarah, I've measured her," Ledoyen crows, savouring the moment, "and I have found her wanting. She has had her moment against me - I know her game now, and she is mine. 4 fights or 400, Sarah will never taste victory over me again."