Posted by Simguy on Saturday, 26-Aug-2000 11:04:42

Before: Judd camp talking up the danger presented by the classy Basinger, but insiders close to Kim truly worried about this potential mismatch, Kim coming out of her comfort zone on the senior’s circuit, fighting a hard dime against a young, hungry blonde--Basinger not listening to well-wishing, attempts to get her to turn down the offer. White bra and panties, ponytail Basinger, chocolate brown bandeau bra and panties Judd.

During R1: Conventional mid ring look--girls rotating clockwise at range, touching jabs and keeping guards high, relaxed, Even until very late a sudden straight right hand from Judd squeaks past the gloves to find Basinger’s chin and lifts her lead foot off the canvas, sending her scrambling backwards at the bell.

R2: Basinger unfazed by Judd’s power, doubles up the jab and begins to bamboozle the younger blonde, turning her midring, reversing directions, tapping the tummy as well as the chin with a variety of smooth licks. Judd avoids the shutout late with some stiff one-twos up the middle, but it’s Kim’s round.

R3: Basinger looking good early biting her hook into Judd’s tummy after pre-occupying the blonde’s guard with the jab, but midway through the round, Ashley pounds that right cross home again to spray Kim up against the ropes. Basinger badly stunned by the blow covers up to take a sobering beating to her flanks as Judd bodies up to the bell.

R4-8: Judd clamping down, starts to impose her will on the fight with round after round of solid, methodical boxing, Girls fighting at range, working off the jab, but Judd’s reflexes are sharper, and she’s got Kim gunshy from that hard right hand--Basinger retreating, not wishing to trade is beaten from one defensive stand to another all around the ring. After 8, Kimmie’s all lumped up around the eyes, lower lip puffy--Judd’s fists have gotten there repeatedly in what amounts to a very workmanlike performance for Ashley.

R9: Basinger supposedly too old to make a late surge, does exactly that, surprising Judd with unexpected fresh legs, Kim slugging, swats a double left hook to the ear and turns her shoulder into a driving straight to put Judd on her heels time and again. Ashley backing up, slapping her punches--down the stretch Basinger slips the Judd jab and comes over the top with a clocking right hand on the jaw and ASHLEY GOES DOWN! Judd on her back in shock, beats the count, but is trembling at the bell.

R10: Judd recovering nicely, goes back to jabbing at Kim’s chest, leaning into right crosses to subdue the older woman this round. Basinger unable to build on the ninth, spends much of the tenth ropeside, covering up and just trying to go the distance as Judd beats her. Decision comes back unanimous: Ashley Judd.

After Post fight unexpectedly vitriolic--Basinger claiming the only knockdown of the fight disputes the decision to Judd’s evident displeasure. Ashley with power early, and work rate late controlled the bout, but critics expecting to see Basinger broken and humiliated in this fight remain unconvinced.

Reposted by Archer 3/26/12