Posted by Simguy on 5/16.2003, 6:57 am.

Before: “Kris has definitely gotten under Claire’s skin,” says Eliza Dushku in an interview for CBN. “None of her usual excuses apply--Kristin isn’t bigger, isn’t stronger--it’s one thing ti move up and get beat by Dani Fishel, it’s quite another to get your ass kicked in your own back yard.” Danes well aware of the pressure on her, doesn’t shy away from the hard questions in preflight. “I’m the better, more well-rounded fighter,” says Claire, “but Kristin HAS fought me very well. She’s changed tempo on me, picked her spots to slug, kept me off balance, but I’ve seen her repertoire now. She doesn’t have any more surprises--it’s just a matter of me executing and rolling her up.” Kreuk all purring insolence during staredown--Claire humming to get at her. Danes in two toned black/white bikini--Kristin in red and white broad vertical stripe bikini, low ponytail. Small gloves for both.

During R1: Kreuk turns puncher early--Claire read the book. Danes giving ground, then suddenly running Kreuk into straight right hands--Claire using her legs, timely counters to take away brunette vigor. As Kreuk’s momentum stalls--Danes attacks the body--snick-snacking away to tummy, in behind the elbows, numbing Kristin’s curvy legs. Final minute--Kreuk arms hugging her body, looking frazzled--Danes lights her up brisk combos to the head! Claire just brushing her fists back and forth, backing Kris up, often bringing back an elbow high to set up the opposite hand--it’s got Kreuk hurting! Kris finishes up shiny at the ropes, bobbing at the waist to relieve pressure. Danes all business stomping back to her corner.

R2: Kris goes to the jab, touching Claire in the shoulder, stooping to get after her tummy, circling left. Danes not pressing the issue, hopping forward, gloves up, dipping and slipping but not throwing. Curious round as Kreuk chips away for a harmless shutout--Danes coming forward, bu8t not working offensively.

R3: Claire chin tucked behind left shoulder, front foot in a bucket--she’s a wheel-pivoting left, bending low, giving Kreuk a lesson early. Danes licking hooks along Kreuk’s brittle ribs, chip-chipping the jab, stepping into straight right hand leads--it’s pretty stuff the first two minutes. Kreuk turning with and getting polished up, but down the stretch, she hooks with and catches Claire’s right temple. Kreuk spitting jab and CLAIRE’S LEGS GIVE WAY! Danes nearly down, stumbles backwards into the ropes, eyes wide and glassy. Kreuk jumps in, head and gloves on Claire to shove her back then TEARING AT THE VITALS! Kris going to Danes’ body with a ferocious lather--like the back legs of a cat kicking at prey to the bell. Kreuk steals a Danes round and bodies up to loet her hear it--flustered Claire shoving off as the ref intervenes.

R4: Claire knows she was out-boxing Kris--sticks with the plan, Easy pivot left around that front foot, staying low, leaning in, snatching hooks under the right elbow--Kreuk’s freezing up. Claire the boss--she’s feinting hooks now, dropping the straight right hand instead--set piece highlights as Kreuk’s drowsy face snaps back from the connects, nothing back from the brunette except wounded stares. Patient work breaks Kreuk down--by the final minute she’s looking to clinch and Claire just slashes at the midriff! Ripping rights and lefts, small gloves biting into taut flesh--Kreuk backed to the ropes, pretty face twisted in pain as she suffers at the bell.

R5: Another shutout Claire. Slipping and pivoting left, constantly turning Kreuk, making her miss. Body work nibbling at Kreuk, never letting her rest. Opportunistic straight right hands on the face--not a devastating shot usually, but it’s so crisp and clean--Kreuk’s head jerking back--judges can’t miss the dominant look and feel of it. Offensively, Kris actually loading up and swinging hard in frustration--she just can’t connect on the elusive blonde who’s found that defensive groove.

R6: Claire goes at her prey, sensing weakness, attempting to give Kreuk a shot of her own medicine. Nothing like flyweights going toe to toe--snapping, snatching fists--Danes hook-hooking the ribs, ducking to the left coming out of the crouch with a left on the eye. Kreuk retreating, stepping back then edging in with her one-two, crowding to stack up and going at Claire’s tummy with a barrage of slender-limbed fury. Kreuk hit’s the ropes--Claire’s punches are tearing her up, Kris sits in the ropes, face in her gloves, riding out the storm. Glorious moment of stand-up slugging for Danes--opponent helpless, sitting in a shell--blonde just letting her hands crash down, small fists bouncing off shiny shoulders, skidding across the head and THE REF STEPS IN! Danes leaping away with tears of vindication--a badly shaken Kristin Kreuk crying tears of defeat--TKO6 Danes.

After: Danes follows up her career best showing against Dunst with an almost equally impressive rub-down of Huckleberry Kreuk. Blonde wrath spilling over late as she grabs Kreuk’s top and shoves her into the ropes--Kreuk reading Kreuk the riot act--sharp breaths making blubbery Kris blink as Danes gives her a verbal beating to match the physical.

Reposted by Archer 7/31/12.