Originally posted by Simguy on 07-Nov-1999 16:31:26

Before: Maybe the worst mismatch of the night as Tia looks to put the hammer down on Katie Holmes stable mate and sparring partner Williams. Michelle, a competent inside fighter, but it’s hard to imagine her getting a chance to show her stuff against Tia’s all court game.

Carrere in red addidas terrycloth trunks, black sports bra, Michelle in teal trunks, white sports bra.

During R1: Michelle determined not to be embarrassed, comes out with an inspired attack to open this fight. Tia on her heels, hands on Michelle’s shoulders or behind her neck, can only tie the blonde up as Williams digs into Carrere’s brown midriff. Shutout Williams as Tia does nothing to discourage the kid.

R2, 3: Tia now executes, sliding the jab down into Michelle’s face, slinging the right hand in from the side, then tying up as Williams barges in, Michelle paying the price for coming forward, but she’s surprisingly competitive, and she won’t leave Tia’s rib cage alone despite the sharp punching from the veteran. Tia’s strength shows as she is able to clinch, walk Michelle off the ropes and hold for a break throughout these rounds.

R4: Williams just a little buzzsaw, starts looping the left hand out of her crouch to bring the battle to Tia’s beautiful face. Carrere laying back on the ropes, not punching enough, still pulling Williams’ head down and swatting with arm punches inside with a pseudo rope-a-dope look.

R5,6: Tia getting off first, nailing Williams with one-twos, but these are tougher rounds than they look. Action consists of Tia nailing Williams on the way in, Michelle fighting off Tia’s chest to push the brunette to the ropes. Tia clinching and walking the blonde back for a break. Tia beginning to rip the short left uppercut between Michelle’s mitts to bust up Williams’ mouth, and the right hand clouting ion from the side with mean spirted efficiency, but the blonde is taking the punches well.

R7: Tia standing flat footed, showing the older ali look with the hands low, loose and relaxed, clipping Michelle’s face with little rising shots, then stepping out to let Williams chase. Tia finally putting a wobbly in her opponent’s trunks with a short right hand across the cheek, catching Williams on the on the way in and turning her sideways. All Tia to the bell as she combination-punches Williams into a stupor down the stretch.

R8: Michelle Williams just won’t quit, Puffy eyed and bleeding from the mouth, Williams burrows in and fights off Tia’s chest for all 3 minutes of this round. Carrere resting, lays in with Williams, right at her cheek, left across her abdomen while she rolls with blonde’s wide lefts and rights to the flanks.

R9: Tia sets the trap, and springs it this round. Carrere comes out playing possum, once again laying in with Williams to encourage the wide body shots, then turning into the  short right uppercut to bang back with Michelle’s head with brutal force. Williams wobbling to one knee is in bad shape, and beats the count on rubbery legs. Carrere in huntress mode, reaches with the left, slinging the right up underneath to bang against Williams’ stomach. Gurgling in pain, Michelle folds forward, and Tia steps back, turning her shoulder into the tight left hook on the jaw and Williams tumbles to her face. Michelle rolls to her back, legs flexed, but unable to rise and Tia C. walks away with the KO9.

After: Tia showing some grudging respect for the limited, but gutsy effort from Williams who gave it her all in extending the exotic brunette. Tia never hurt in the fight, but Michelle’s non-stop contact will be felt on the morning after.

Reposted by Archer 4/26/09.