Posted by Simguy on 4/29/2001, 8:43 am.

Before: Zellweger at 136 looks to campaign at welter--opening up the remote possibility of becoming the second woman to win titles in 3 divisions, and the first to range from bantam to welter. (Gena Lee Nolin did it at lightweight, welter Middle). Tyler making her PPV debut thought to be an underdog, but word went out of her camp is the kid is a James Toney look alike in the ring--sneaky, and scary calm considering her experience. Renee’s heavier for the bout, but it’s more a natural weight for Liv, pale blue cotton cami-tank for Renee, white lace trim around the cleavage, tiger striped high cut knickers--red cami tank for Liv, red bikini cut panties.

During R1: Girls stride counterclockwise around one another, taking a hard-eyed look-see. Once they settle down, both use a Toney look--right hand under and around the chin, left hand low across the waist--for Liv, it’s the natural way her body works, for Renee, it’s affectation designed to conserve energy at this weight. They settle in close, using upper body torso movement, nifty shoulder rolls to slip punches and set up single right hand counter to the chin--Renee scooting to her backside in shock. Zellweger up at 8, hunches over and the girls go shoulder to shoulder., Tyler patient, not clinching exactly, just shouldering up and walking around her girl as Zellweger’s legs still look jiggly. it’s all short, single potshot ting at close range--neither girl busy, but nothing is telegraphed--slapping hooks, quick chopping right hands find ample targets as Liv cruises to 10-8.

R2: Same slow, supple rhythm--flat feet planted, upper bodies rolling, both girls keeping that left shoulder towards the opponent, shooting right hands and falling in close to smother the receipt. All Tyler for most of the round--she’s ringing Renee up with the sneaky right crosses, but she’s also clubbing the chub or cuffing puppy with a swiping left hand inside, Down the stretch, Zellweger slide-stepping back, lures Liv to the ropes--blonde feigning as hurt look as she hunches forward--Tyler takes the bait, launches an ill-advised right hand from too far out--Zellweger slips to her left, slings the counter right hand into Tyler’s sternum and sends the red headed beauty gasping face first into the turnbuckles as the blonde pivots neatly away. Tyler wobbled by the shot--Renee content to body up and lean against Liv to the bell, stealing the round.

R3: Renee taking over the initiative as Tyler deals with being hurt to the body. Not much punching, girls are being very selective, trying to slip and counter, trying to feint each other out of position or work subtle angles in close. Constant contact, either shoulders or light clinching, but not enough to get the ref involved--it’s slow, sweaty stuff, punctuated by the occasional beefy clout, Renee carves out another round with steady left and right chops to the waist--Tyler not answering back.

R4,5: Zellweger starts to distance herself. She’s bodying up smart, walking Liv around, turning her girl, then surprising her with short clouts on the mouth or claps to the body. Tyler, rolling, making a lot of punches glance rather than land flush, but she’s not punching enough--allowing Renee to look the aggressor, What punching there is, is hard and sneaky--many are KO blows if they could only land clean. Both rounds to Renee.

R6: Liv doesn’t uptempo exactly, but she becomes more offensive mined, also going to Renee’s soft gut with that sweet short right hand from the shoulder, falling in and typing up before the blonde can counter. Tyler baiting Renee, laying over on the right side, waiting for Zellweger to punch, the twisting over to the left side, ringing the blonde up with a slashing right on the face. Renee wobbly butt after getting touched up this round--she staggers slightly en route to her corner--shutout Liv.

R7: Liv starting to help herself now--Zellweger getting hurt folding forward into Liv’s arms as the redhead sinks in hooks to the body. Liv taking a step to her right, keeps her left hand on Renee, setting the blonde up for lethal short rights on the jaw--Renee getting lit up over her left shoulder as Liv dives in. Zellweger falling part, crossing her arms, bobbing at the waist, but Tyler’s hands are precise if not busy--she’s finding Renee with everything, breaking the blonde down. At the bell, a series of short, clouting right hands from the closed stance drives Renee glassy-eyed to the ropes--bell sounds as Tyler looks to apply the coup de grace.

R8: Liv on top and loving it, Renee groaning, folding forward--she can’t take the belly leather. Tyler with a job of work to push and body the heavy blonde sack back, then give it to her hard in the belly, or try to clip that chin before Zellweger can clinch. Ref working hard to push the cushy duo apart--Tyler remaining aggressive, punching and falling in as she works Renee into corners, Zellweger offers the odd little uppercut counter with her wide white back on the ropes--but Tyler owns her this round.

R9: more of the same--Liv sustaining her quick mitts, carrying the weight better, and embarrassing Renee with subtle counters, hard body shots, and stronger legs as redhead walks blonde into the ropes, Tyler just keeping her stance closed, pushing off with her left
Shoulder, jamming in the short right hand, cuffing with the hooks and keeping her head moving slowly but effectively. Renee down to one tactic: Looking to fade Liv at the ropes and walk her into the uppercut. Its not working--round to Tyler.

R10: Zellweger retreating to the ropes, stance closed, face pouting and puffy, and Tyler shows her inexperience. Liv stabs out a lead right hand, Renee rolling, stepping o the left and countering beautifully with a short right hand on the mouth and TYLER IS HURT! Renee pivoting to her left allows Liv to tumble forward to the ropes--the redhead stunned by the blow, is helpless as the blonde goes to work. First sustained flurry of the bout by either woman as Renee cuffs ear with double swatting hooks, then gets her shoulder behind pounding right hands on the face--Liv just staring back as the blonde cracks away and THE REF STEPS IN! Crowd erupts into boos--Tyler protesting n shock as Renee Zellweger bounces away the sudden TKO10 victor.

After: Stunning, controversial conclusion--Tyler spitting bitter about the stoppage as Renee, down on all cards, pounds out late. Cagey cat and mouse match not action packed, but suspenseful--both girls trap boxers, counter punchers--pudgy punching at its finest. Despite the loss, Tyler comes away with good pub--she’s got the subtle moves of a veteran and a serious right hand clout that lands heavy because girls don’t see it. Zellweger calling out Nolin for a natural slugger/counterpuncher battle--Renee determined to make noise in the division.

Reposted by Archer 10/19/10.