Posted by Simguy on Saturday, 02-Sep-2000 09:52:15

Before: Put up or shut up time for Jen--she has to win if she’s ever to make a move at sub 110. Balk a nasty unknown--promising career derailed after protracted managerial problems hasn’t had a lot of match play, but if she can shake the rust, she can hurt Hewitt. Tight black crop t shirt, black panties, black shoes, white gloves for pony tailed Hewitt. Plaid bra and short skirt, white gloves and shoes for Balk.

R1: Brisk trade mid ring--Balk in that Kosta Tszyu stance, left hand circling, right hand coiled, palm out to either catch or throw. Hewitt stabbing her jab, sets down on well-turned hooks to the midsection which are new t her arsenal. Even until the final minute, Balk snapping off a quick right hand catch Hewitt high on the temple and has her stumbling sideways at the bell--round to Fairuza. Jen trembling, wide-eyed--corner rubs her down like a nervous filly during the break.

R2: Jen sticking with the rangy jab, hooking from there to the body, an it’s clear she’s setting down on her punches better than earlier in her career. Balk continuing to sit on  Hewitt’s punches, looking to counter over the top with her hopping right hand. Down the stretch, Hewitt puts a hard one-two onto Fairuza’s cheek, reloads and nearly puts Balk down with a follow up right hand to the jaw--Balk stunned, is saved by the bell as the girls start to find the range.

R3: Furious action midring, girls rotating clockwise, diving in at one another, getting off power punches and swaying back in a deadly dance. Hewitt’s left hook to the body spanking homer with authority the difference between the two--late in the round Balk huddled forward to take as Jen reefs at her side.

R4: Balk crumbles as Jen digs to her side with that left hand--Hewitt steps with her prey at the ropes, Jen very efficient with a hurt girl in front of her, jabs, hooks, then spears the right hand between the mitts and BALK GOES DOWN! Fairuza up at 8, gloves at her lips, eyes swimming, Hewitt lets her off the ropes, but retains control, showing that jab Packard taught her, steering Fairuza around the ring, occasionally stepping forward to reef the gut, then clinch for a break. Round to Jen.

R5: Wheels fall off the cart for Hewitt this round as Balk gets her going downhill with w sneaky right hand counter over Jen’s jab in the opening moments. Hewitt can’t find her feet, reeling away from Balk, and Fairuza chases her to the ropes with short, clubbing lefts and rights. Balk fearsome on the attack, squaring up and letting her hands go to shred Hewitt’s defense. Balk’s fists tearing in past the gloves, battering Jen unrecognizable--Hewitt sliding piteously along the ropes, legs quivering after haymakers land--she is HURT! Final minute sees the carnage continue--Balk ripping to the breasts with curling lefts and rights completely breaks Hewitt down and the last 30 seconds are a a brutal romp--Balk grinning wildly as she pours it on--Hewitt out on her feet, hands dropping to her lap as she swoons forward. Bu she makes it to the bell as attendants rush in.

R6:Shocking recovery for Hewitt. Face swelling badly, eyes closing, Jen somehow finds the legs to box this round and balk follows, eating jabs, getting picked up by sharp hooks from the shoulder, and clinched whenever she gets close. Down the stretch, Fairuza pressing to finish, gets beaten to the right hand and BALK IS HURT! Fairuza’s right hand sailing harmlessly as she nearly corkscrew to the mat, rights herself and falls back into the ropes with a dazed expression, shutout Hewitt.

R7: Both girls looking ragged, taking chances. Balk about to put combination together to bounce Jen’s  head in the final minute steals a close round.

R8: Jen on shaky legs pushing her jab, still mangers to find Fairuza’s face often enough to freeze the challenger--Hewitt lifting her hook into Balk’s taut belly has Fairuza holding on by the end, round to Hewitt.

R9: Jen getting a second wind double pumps the jab to get Balk going backwards. Midway through the round, Hewitt keeping Balk at the end of her punches, gambles on a leaning right hand that catches an exhausted Fairuza flush on the face and BALK IS HURT! Fairuza with her gloves at her lips, craters forward as Jen steps back, reefing wide lefts and rights to the waist until balk tackles her to the ropes. Wild free for all in the final minute, girls just swinging wide without restraint and HEWITT GETS HURT! Balk’s right hand kissing off Jen’s chin has Hewitt out on her feet again, arms suddenly limp, but there’s not enough time for Fairuza to consolidate. Close round goes to Hewitt.

R10: Fairuza  Uptempoing--Jen Can’t hold her ground as Balk bobs, hooks hard to the jaw, then bends left to bash that right hand off Hewitt’s head. Jen reduced to flat footed slugging doesn’t have the hand speed--Balk edging her in a series of close, tired exchanges. Down the stretch, Fairuza beats Jen to pushing lefts and rights, nudging Hewitt’s head side to side as the bell sounds to save both exhausted sluggers. Side by side, Balk drops to her knees as the decision is announced: UD10 Jennifer Love Hewitt.

After: Clearly Hewitt’s guttiest performance although critics point out struggling against balk not necessarily a good sign. Surviving a vicious bombardment in the fifth, Hewitt made a decision not just about this fight, but about her career when she shook off her corner’s pleas to stop the fight. Jen setting own her punches now, sacrificing some defense for power for a more crowd pleasing mix.

Reposted by Archer 10/20/10.