Posted by Simguy on 2/28/2004, 9:58 am.

Before: Hurley not winning any fans with her handling of the upcoming Visser bout-Liz launching a legal inquiry into Visser’s status as a “celebrity” forcing Nikki to prove that she is the subject of the requisite minimum number if global internet searches, that her face recognition quotient is above the acceptable minimum so on and so forth. Visser camp outraged, as Nikki says: “It’s just cowardice, that’s all it is. Liz wants out of the fight and this seemed the nearest way.” Hurley under fire in Britain out of the ring and in--credentials as an actress being questioned, fight-pundits speculating that age has finally caught up to the statuesque Brit, but Liz hanging tough, “As for the lawsuit, I felt it important that Nikki prove-up her celebrity status beforehand--I’m not here to fight wivws and girlfriends; I expect t fight women of some profile, As I understand it, Nikki just barely qualifies--so be it. I shall give her the beating she deserves, Shes earned it.”

Liz in Union Jack bikini, Nikki in simple black, hair up--nice combination of elegance and hard, visible stomach muscle for Visser.

During R1: Liz relaxed--maybe too relaxed--Nik’s all over her early. Visser well-schooled, getting her front foot outside Liz’s , throwing straight rights, lead rights and brisk, chopping combos straight from the shoulders--Hurley defensive from the outset, unable to read the openings. Midway through--Visser working hard, gets a right hand straight up the middle, pounding off Liz’s chin. While Hurley’s regrouping, Nik pokes another in, then another--rapid fire rights pinging off face and LIZ SCOOTS TO HER BUTT! Hurley’s feet tied up. Dumps her awkwardly--she’s up quick, but slightly frazzled for 8. Visser cleans up in the final minute--very smart as she tucks in under either Hurley elbow, crunching her way into that aging midriff.

R2: Shutout Visser. Liz warier now, not getting hit as cleanly by those drilling straight rights, but sheer Aussie volume making life difficult for long Brit, Hurley bending at the waist, sliding back, rolling her shoulders--lots of cute twists and turns, but Visser staying on her, stepping with her, happy just to pelt away at the chest and arms when she can’t hit anything else--it’s exactly the right approach to take with the elusive brunette.

R3: liz breaks up the barbecue--getting to Visser with counter right hooks, sneaky little lefts while sliding around Nik’s left flank, Visser coming forward a little too eagerly, misinterpreting Liz’s retreat as weakness. Blonde encouraged by how well she’s taking Hurley punches, but point is, Liz is landing, getting her timing down, getting on track.

R4: Strong first minute for Visser deceptive--Liz dipping and rolling, leaning away from volume, but Nikki’s getting wider and wider as she steps forward pitching. Midway through, Liz ducks down, reaches a long lead left into Nikki’s middle-Liz leans out, weight on her back foot and catches ALL of Visser’s chin in a sneaky southpaw hook, putting Aussie backside a-quiver. Nikki stepping in fence post holes, hiurt for the first time-Liz turn to belly up the bar and helps herself. Long, loving lashes to the waistline--Hurley sticking up blonde gut with lanky stroke--old gal proving greasily effective through 4.

R5,6: Great technical stanzas --Visser able to hold her own in the chess match as the girls rotate midring, jabbing, feinting, negotiating with each other, Liz takes the 5^th, Nik the 6^th nit a lot of loud contact, but subtle footwork, good defensive reflexes, good ring generalship from both women.

R7: FLASH KNOCKDOWN! Visser clipped a right hook on the chin as Liz pivots to the right--blonde, staggers, trips up and clatters to all fours--getting up immediately and begging the ref to call it a slip. As if to prove it, Nikki bears down and hounds Liz all around the ring. Renewed blonde vigor--Visser stomping in like a fencer behind a high-jab, thrusting right hands into the body, raking Liz with hooks. Hurley sliding to her right along the ropes, hands at her chest, just turning her shoulders, rolling to either side to slip the heat, but she cant do anything offensively. Nik’s strong effort converts the 10-8 Hurley round to 10-9--this thing’s even after 7.

R8: Liz flat footed, supple, reaching the long, shoving left to the body, then easing back, clipping Visser the hard-to-read right hook, sliding to the right--Nikki starting to get touched up as Hurley’s found her rhythm. Sinewy stuff from the southpaw, sliding in and out, gliding to the side--she’s got Visser turning, missing--blonde trying to load up as frustration builds and that’s not what you do against Hurley. Midway through--Nik stakes all on a shooting right--Liz slips inside it, strokes the midsection a slashing left. Rises from her crouch with a kissing hook off the chin and VISSER GOES DOWN! Nikki sprawling lovely on her back--beautiful bang/bang combination laying her out cold--cue flashbulbs, this baby’s over. KO8 Liz Hurley.

After: Hurley vengeful with critics and media ringside, hurling insults and rightly patting herself on the back--she shows she’s still got a few tricks up her sleeve in turning back the younger, stronger Nikki. Visser all woozy and derailed--never saw that southpaw hook--blonde’s discipline wavered just long enough for crafty veteran to pounce. Liz taking the stress of recent months out on Nikki post fight: parading the poor blonde around the ring with an arm around the waist, tugging the girl roughly, making her woozy head bobble as she stumbles in the grasp.

Reposted by Archer 11/27/12.