Posted by Simguy on Saturday, 06-Nov-1999 21:36:27

Thanks to FightFan for this repost.

Before: Classy pairing of sophisticates, Stone with the traditional studio upbringing, Mutti cutting her chops in Playboy and Euro-jet setting fight circles. Long overdue PPV exposure for Mutti who at one time could have been considered one of the best Italian fighters since Claudia Cardinale. Stone without a good win in a long time, installed as the favourite as U.S. bettors unfamiliar with the Euro-brunette. Sharon in white bra and panties, Mutti in lavender.

During R1: Stone on her bicycle, guard high, elects to move and get a look this round. Mutti doing the stalking, holding her left low, right hand cocked at her cheek, jabbing from the chest with a very deliberate step-and-shoot look. Technically a shutout for Mutti as she does all the punching, but basically a tactical round.

R2: Combatants have had their look, and settle down to hurt one another in earnest. Stone taking apart Mutti's lazy jab with crisp straight rights over the top, and Mutti is punched dizzy as Sharon puts a left hook in behind the counter right hands. Mutti cut over the right eye, looks staggery as Stone goes to work from medium distance, cranking hooks and jarring straight rights to the face of la bella brunette. Despite being rattled on several occasions, Mutti storms back in the final minute, banging hooks with Stone until the blonde's slender legs give way. Sharon clinching at the bell to avoid the knockdown - Mutti bloodied.

R3: Ornella stalking, poking that jab out and keeping Sharon at the end of her punches. Stone ineffective until late, when she is able to work on Mutti's eye with the hook.

R4: Mutti continuing to control the ring, jabbing Stone into frustration, and hooking hard off the lead left to the body and head. Final minute, Stone banging her own double left hook, gets her hips in behind the shots and Mutti is stunned! Ornella clatters to the ropes glassy eyed as Stone steps with her, pot-shotting the brunette's luscious mouth with straight lefts and rights.

R5: Bitter toe to toe struggle for most of the round as the women trade sharp combinations. Neither much for slipping or moving the upperbody, as each more adept at blocking and picking off punches - makes for chaotic collisions of limbs and fists. Late in the round, Stone again finds the chin of her foe with the hook, and Ornella can't take it, stumbling sideways with hands low as Sharon pours it on to the bell.

R6: Mutti answers Sharon's power punching with her own brand, busting up Stone midway through the round with pounding double left hooks that break down Sharon's defense. Stone battered to the ropes, does a good job of tying the brunette up, outbrawling Ornella on the inside to escape the round without further mishap.

R7: Mutti the stronger fighter at this point, outslugging Sharon in bitter exchanges all around the ring as the blonde is battered from one last stand to another. Mutti doing it with a rubbery left hook that whips repeatedly to the jaw and ribcage of Stone, and some sharp elbow strikes to Stone's mouth. Disastrous final minute sees Stone soak up a 5 punch combination and crumple to all fours. She beats the count in bad shape, Mutti pounces, and promptly beats Stone to her knees again with a pelting rain of hooks as the bell ends to save the blonde.

R8: Sharon Stone in full retreat, guard high, skipping and running around the perimeter of the ring as Mutti hunts her down. Shutout Ornella as Sharon looks ready to forfeit with a shameful exhibition of cowardice this round.

R9: Stone regains her composure and gets back into the fight, as both women lace each other with sharp hooks to the mouth. Midway through the round, Muti's legs spasm in response to 3 unanswered left hands from Stone, and Sharon pours it on. Muti battered to the ropes, hands at her chest - she's helpless as Stone hammers her with hooks and right uppercuts. Ornella rocking back into the ropes, then drooping forward is beaten unrecognizable this round as Stone shreds her to the bell.

R10: Ornella Mutti summons courage and takes the fight to Sharon Stone, refusing to submit to the blonde's aggression. Banging exchanges at center ring see Stone pull back in shock as her legs begin to tremble, and Mutti chases her to the ropes. Vintage Ornella as she clubs Sharon with elbow strikes on the cheek, chops the short left hook onto the jaw. Stone hurting, lower lip split, taking tremendous punishment as Ornella pounds side to side with fists and elbows to the bell. A final clouting right hand through the jawline has Stone out on her feet, but she refuses to go down as the bell sounds. Decision comes back unanimous for Ornella Mutti.

After: Fans expecting classic chessmatch are shocked at the sheer level of violence in this bout as both women succumbed to the moment to beat each other senseless. Constantly on the verge of stopping one another, the two veterans put on a great show of courage and heart -neither wanting to give in to the other.