Unified Bantamweight Title

Posted by Simguy on 7/3/2004, 8:31 am/

Before: Champion Knightley facing her sternest test yet--but the upset kid has produced time and again in similar situations. “Nobody liked me against Jennifer,” says cocky Keira. “Nobody liked me against Britney, and I expect nobody likes me against Eliza. No matter--all the sweeter when I box and scrub her to ribbons.” Dushku surprisingly wary--former champ and perennial pound for pound name known for overconfidence on occasion, but she’s taking Keira seriously. “I was late to see it,” Eliza admits, “maybe because this kid got too much credit for waxing Britney, but when she took Connelly apart--yeah, I paid attention. I’ve watched a lot of tape for this fight--more than usual and I think I’ve seen some things that other girls have misses. I’ll show you those things when I show Keira--wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.” Eliza in red bikini--Keira in jaunty navy peasant blouse, pale blue laces up the front, navy boy cut trunks, similar lacing up the front, hair up white shoes and socks.

During R1: Eliza low, doubling up the jab to collapse distance, but Keira’s on to the strategy, Knightley legging back as Eliza surges forward, British girl batting and swatting down on Dushku, turning at the ropes and sliding back to midring, Dushku frustrated--she’s brushing Knightley with punches, but not getting into her as desired--willowy champ able to keep her distance, showcases that much-improved, scrub combinations and keep her feet moving in a tactical first.

R2: Eliza trying to press up the middle--Knightley fading back, running challenger on to the jab and SCORCHING Eliza a slashing right hand on the eye--DUSHKU’S STUNNED! E covering up earmuff, stiff and uncertain as Knightley sets and hooks exposed ribcage with abandon. Dushku shaking it off well, now in retreat--Keira happily hopping after, looking to impose her will, but Dushku clever in retreat. Eliza parceling out her jabs in sudden, hard-to-time pokes--quickly pivoting to then left, bopping back light on her toes, circling. Knightley coming forward in a rush, Eliza calmly fading back and countering with both hands chopping--Dushku stops at the ropes, ducks low, and tags Knightley’s liver a juicy hook as Keira lunges in. Knightley wobbly butt, face pinched--her turn to cover up and suffer as Dushku bats away to ribs left/rights to the bell.

R3: Eliza working behind her jab, pivoting, stepping out--she’s just touching Keira up to her tummy, chest and face. Knightley getting out-jabbed, frustrated--she’s pressing. Somehow, Eliza’s got the champ slugging, Patient, clinical stuff from Dushku--very respectful as she works the perimeter, places her jabs, turns her oppoinent around the ring for a classy  shutout.

R4: Eliza sticks with the program--plan seems to be to coax Keira forward, make Knightley give up her heright and counter her as she comes in. Withering body shot--tasty left hook on the liver--has Keira cramped up at the midway point--she stiffens, pain etched taut on that pretty face, Dushku moves in to finish, but encounters stiff resistance--Knightley with her back to the ropes puts scrubbing side-to-side one-twos together to stave off Dushku’s finishing run.

R5: Dushku back to the patient, almost nibbling counter-attack--pivoting to the left, stepping out with a pretty bounce, timing her jab to pre-empt and foil Keira, Eliza making a conscientious effort to drop a counter hook in on Knightley’s slender waist, digging at that liver--these are jolting, sticking punches, really sapping the youngster’s legs, and a joy to see for long-time Eliza fans who appreciate Dushku’s systematic approach. Keira sent back to her corner flustered--Eliza not fighting as expected, Knightley unable to establish a rhythm through 5.

R6: Eliza keeps at it, pounding her jab to Keira’s reddened face, stooping in to reach it into the belly, hooking off it and pivoting left. Dushku selective with the right hand, but countering effectively with it off the backpedal--Knightley getting chopped up when she lunges forward, getting touched and molested when she hangs back. Knightley not shutout, but mounting desultory attacks at best--Eliza pulling the strings, setting the tempo, but content to massage the kid rather than stepping-to and getting hard work done.

R7: Eliza’s punch output drips, principally the jab--Knightley able to fill the vacancy with her own leather. Keira finding Eliza with the jab for the first time tonight--backing Dushku off to the ropes, Surprising vignettes this round as Knightley attacks Eliza ropeside--Dushku bobbing and weaving to slip punches--Keira elbows in, swishing and slashing side to side as she shoeshines in bursts, Undeniable Knightley points--Eliza not doing enough to keep the kid off her.

R8,9: Eliza back to the stick, move and counter routine--drawing some boos from fans who had expected an unrelenting typhoon of Dushku fury tonight. Still, it’s effective stuff--Keira’s face with the shiny patina of the well-jabbed; those evil left hooks over and over and over to the liver; chopping combos as Dushku legs back in the face of increasingly desperate Knightley rushes. It’s a shock to fans and pundits alike: Eliza beating Keira with defense of all things, luring the kid forward and cleaning up on that sinewy body with well-placed blows. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s got Eliza comfortably ahead after 9.

R10: Finishing touches--been a masterful outing for Dushku, she’s commanded the heights from the second round on, outmaneuvering and foxing her youthful opp…and ELIZA’S STUNNED! Rare exchange of lefts and rights sees Keira tag Dushku saucy on the chin one, two, three--Eliza queasy-knees to her right, eyes wide: she’s made a mistake at the midway point, Keira pouncing, jumping in with swinging right hands at the hairline--Eliza driven ropeside in disarray, veteran digs in all a-swoon. KNIGHTLEY UNLEASES! Do or die for young Keira--she steps-to wiry strong, licking and lashing away witjh TORRID slashing abuse. Dushku clipped and clapped again and again--trusting legs and chin entirely as the smooth moves are gone--KNIGHTLEY’S CASHING IN! Crowd on its feet like it’s the Preakness, urging their jockey to put crop to haunch and Keira’s delivering! Knightley’s slender arms shivering on impact, gloves skidding and bouncing off hard targets--Eliza busted up, bleeding from a lightning bolt gash on her forehead as a bony elbow makes contact--Dushku’s legs giving way, knees bending…and the bell sounds to end the fight! Keira tackled away in her frenzy, still tearing at the remnants of her foe. Dushku weathers the late flurry, she’s the winner and NEW bantam champeen by UD10.

After: Dushku notoriously difficult to finish, withstands a shocking romp by light hitting but energetic Keira to bring the belts “back home where they belong”. Eliza boosters calling it a technical masterpiece--”throw out the final round”, says one fanatic, “and it’s a virtual shutout.” Knightley and her backers roused by the strong finish, give up the belts with defiance--”I’ll be back!” vows the pumped up ex-champ. Dani Fishel gets a little air time in post fight as Eliza cleans up her cuts, saying--”Ever since Teri Hatcher knocked her out--Eliza’s been hinky about lanky stringbeans, and I think Keira did get to her a bit. Not to toot my own horn, but I think that was the most gunshy Eliza we’ve ever seen a boxing ring, and I think you have to look at the beating I gave her as the reason why.” But Sheriff’s back on top again, and she lays to rest any controversy. “I boxed her and I punched her to the body. I got her to make mistakes, I broke her down and dominated her. Sure I could have charged in and forced a shootout, but Keira’s a well-schooled fighter and that hasn’t worked well against her. I beat her with my versatility, my awareness in the ring and I showed why I’m still the Sheriff. Was it my most electrifying performance? No--wrong opponent. My objective was to beat this girl, take her belts, and look good next time. Mission-f---ing accomplished,”

Reposted by Archer 9/20/11.