Charlize Theron vs. Ashley Judd (I) 9-09-00

Judd winning a tough eliminator to get to Theron, but even bulking up to 125 can't erase the facts. Judd a prohibitive underdog, but adamant that she can exploit Theron's weakness to keep the bigger blonde off balance with the sustained body attack that broke Nolin. Theron relaxed, almost chatty during pre-fight sessions tells reporters, "Ashley can stay around as long she wants. I'm going to start hurting her from the opening bell, and it's going to up to her when she's had enough." Ashley in chocolate bra and panties; Charlize in all white.

Round 1: Judd with nice combinations, chops a high right hand to pre-occupy Charlize, then rips home to the liver with that baseball bat double hook. Theron soaks it up, stands tall and counters with a quick, cuffing left hook that travels 8 inches total - Judd spluttering, reels away on her heels feeling the power. Theron showing her big girl status in this fight, but lays off the rest of the way - Ashley able to hack right, dig left, and scoot to the right or left as the taller girl rotates. Round to Theron.

Rounds 2-3: Difficulties for Ashley mount up. Charlize protecting her head with her height as well as a high guard, giving up the body, but Judd can rarely get there past a sticking jab to the face, curled into a tight left uppercut or cuff on the ear. Judd taking skidding little punches off the top of her head or forehead - and she's getting hurt by them, legs trembling. Theron fighting tall, not seeming to put much into the blows, but the sweet efficiency of the punches carries pop.

Round 4: Theron now coming forward with authority, bouncing the jab off Ashley's face and NAILING her with straight right hands off the cheek if Judd tries to retreat. When Judd stands her ground, leaning in to crowd - Charlize bodies up, reaches her long arms down Judd's flanks and DIGS at the blonde's sides. Two minutes or working around Ashley's elbows sets her up on staggery pins - Theron comes up the middle with a cudgeling short right hand to the pit of the stomach to fold Judd to the ropes. Ashley in trouble, bent over her legs, gives up her back to the sweeping punches of Theron who swabs away with glee to the bell.

Round 5: Gutsy Judd won't go away. Stepping to her left, leading with rights, and hooking as hard as she can in under Charlize' elbow, she has Theron cringing slightly from the good work. Still, towards the end of the round, Charlize is getting there with the spiking straight right thrown nonchalantly from the chest - Judd's pretty face lumping up nicely through 5.

Round 6: Beating resumes as Theron walks Judd down, spearing out the long left, leaning into right hands that smack loudly off Judd's face as the blonde gives ground. Nowhere to run as the taller girl legs her down, beats Judd relentlessly to the body and head with lashing, lanky punches.

Round 7: Charlize touches Judd's sleepy face with a range-finding left then leans in with a jolting right rifle shot - Judd's head snaps back and she takes a seat just like that. Ashley up, but her face is vacant, eyes blank. Theron wading in, slaps a few decoy lefts and rights before sinking in a brutal right hand to the sternum - Judd folds up and collapses sideways to the ropes, bouncing off them to all fours. Ashley groaning in pain, can't get up - KO7 Charlize Theron.

Nice workout for Theron keeps her busy, but a long, sustained pounding for Ashley Judd leaves her looking like a blown up bantam by the end. Stuff that worked against Nolin shrugged off by Theron who countered viciously to curtail Ashley's body work - Charlize showing a nice variety of short clipping strokes at close range, laser straight right hands outside - just too much firepower for the smaller woman.