Charlize Theron vs. Tyra Banks (I) 08-Feb-99

Theron steps waaay up in class to face perennial supermodel contender Banks. Given Theron's vulnerability to right hands, the match is seen as professional suicide for a blonde who has struggled to regain her form in recent bouts. Teal jockey two piece for Charlize, Red two piece for Tyra. During ring instructions, Tyra clearly the confident fighter, smirking and trying to make eye contact with the demure blonde.

Rounds 1-2: Banks wins a close first, drawing Charlize into a slugfest and nails the blonde with some 'b' right hands from long range. In the second however, Theron tightens up her form considerably, cuts off the ring and keeps Banks at bay with a compact one-two. Second is a shutout for Theron, and her right hand is coming in short and straight ala Joe Louis - a good sign.

Round 3: Theron has her best round in several fights, setting Banks up with a jarring, left jab and coming in tight with that Louis right. Midway through, Banks begins to wobble and a patient Theron takes her apart. Tyra tries to clinch, but Theron throws her off and NAILS her going back with the straight right. The final minute is pure carnage, with Banks lying on the ropes, dazed, and with an embarrassed grimace as Theron pounds her with short, hard punches to the body and head. Theron looks very professional, using her forearm to shove Banks back, then leaning hard into those right hands.

Rounds 4-6: All Theron as Banks is slow to recover from the brutal beating she took in the third. Beautiful eyes swollen half shut, Banks is shutout in the 4th and 5th, as Charlize goes to work with cruel efficiency. Theron doesn't get wild, never loses form, simply hunting Banks down, pushing her long arms out of the way, and beating the cover girl up.

Round 7: Banks takes a round as Theron takes a round off - neither girl hurt.

Round 8: Tyra's best round of the fight sees her score often to THERON'S BREASTS with a loose left jab from the hip and a wide, whipping right hand to the ear whenever Theron tries to protect them. By the final minute, Theron is stumbling, trying to protect her aching bosom as Tyra leans into a slinging right that lands flush on the blonde's jaw. Charlize sturdy chin saves the day as she takes her first backward steps in the fight.

Round 9: Charlize recovers nicely and puts another hurting on Banks this round, pounding her straight right inside of Tyra's wide right to batter the super model this round.

Round 10: Charlize comes out looking for the knockout, jabbing Tyra's defenseless head back and ROCKING her with that sweet short right. and TYRA GOES DOWN. The lanky model barely makes it to her feet and swoons on the ropes as Charlize goes to town. It's a savage slugfest as Tyra counters with slapping open glove uppercuts, while Charlize pounds one-twos wide to the body and straight to the head. Banks survives, but is clearly the beaten fighter at the bell. UD10 Theron.

After: The mercurial Theron does it again, dazzling against a top ten fighter. Banks has a shell-shocked look at the bell - she hasn't been beaten like this in a looong time.