Posted by Simguy on Wednesday, 21-Jun-2000 13:25:23

Before: Toa cashes in on the Marceau bonanza as Americans line up to showcase themselves against a slick 8international star. Sophie in one high risk fight after another, but recently gutty performance against Theron shows there might be more to her than pretty moves--Carrere not as polished as Cat Bell, could have problems imposing her will in this fight. Cloud print tank style bikini and bottoms for Sophie, ponytail w/bangs, white gloves and shoes--red adidas terry cloth trunks, black sports bra, black gloves and shoes, slick ponytail Tia.

R1-3: Sophie using a subtle shift to the right picking up Tia’s punches on her lead shoulder, slapping Carrere’s belly and ear with the loose right hand, but really setting down on pulverizing short left hands that have Carrere staring on several occasions. All three rounds to Marceau as Tia is working, getting off, but not making clean connects against the subtle French woman.

R4: Sophjie continues to slug and slap, shimmy and roll--always right there with Tia, but making the brunette miss A LOT of punches. Vintage Marceau shutout as she fights almost toe to toe with Tia. Late in the round, a deliberate elbow strike to the eyebrow has Tia cut, in pain. Marceau expressionless as referee reads her the Riot Act.

R5: Marceau going to work on that eye, jamming the right jab onto it and falling off to the right as Carrere bulls forward to make the fight. Sophie masterful in control, leaves calling card right hands on Tia’s face, and by the final minute is backing the brunette up with slinging; left hands low to the belly, shipping the receipt and finishing with a wide right hand whack on the chops. Carrere hasn’t won a round--Marceau dictating the fight.

R6: Tia continues to have her moments, trying to find the French girl’s solid torso with the lead right hand, but Marceau’s supple upper body movement and just in-time pivot to the right robs Carrere of meaningful impact. Sophie pecking and slapping with the right--has Tia’s face puffy and sore, and occasional left hands have plenty of leg behind them. Tia not seeing the punch, taking the left on the left side of her jaw and going wobbly butt this round.

R7,.8: Sophie letting Tia forward, turning her body to blunt Carrere’s chopping thrusts from the shoulder, bending at the waist to make Carrere miss the hook, and countering effectively with cutting right hooks as she turns Tia at the ropes. Late in the round, Sophie steps in and beats Tia’s right hand with a jarring left on the chin--Carrere’s legs bending almost takes a knee before locking out and stumbling at the bell.

R9.10: Sophie now beating and discouraging a frustrated cut, and worked over Tia in back to back shutouts. Sophie’s eyes hard with concentration as she steps back and to the right, tempting Tia forward, touching the Asian with the loose right hand, then turning into a hard left hand that frequently catches Carrere mid punch. Sophie bending into her lefts, sways low on follow through, often looking to hit Tia with another jolting left hand out of the crouch. At the bell, Carrere looks shellshocked worn--Sophie Marceau has won all 10 rounds in a vicious display of southpaw boxing.

After: Marceau pitching a near perfect game, takes dangerous Tia and beats her relentlessly until Carrere is a staggering, slipshod shadow of herself after 10. Carrere made to order for the French girl--unable to make her brawl the way other high profile American did--break out performance for Sophie as she finally lives up to her potential with the mitts.

Reposted by Archer 1/17/12