Posted by Simguy.Thursday, 25-May-2000 08:24:02

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Reebok Welterweight Title


Before: Nolin coming in on a roll earns the rematch, but pundits wonder what will be different the second time around. Carrere a dominant champ, with a grinding style that Nolin doesn't like, and a heavier lower body that eventually eats her opponents up. Nolin confident as always in pre-fight comes in lighter than expected but otherwise looks like the same old girl: yellow bikini, black mesh to a high neck for Gena, black sports bra, red Adidas terrycloth trunks, ponytail for Tia.

During R1: Cocky Carrere immediately cuts off the ring and reaches for Nolin with the left, looking to club right hands, but Gena spoils the party. A looping overhand right scrapes across Tia's forehead and THE CHAMP IS CUT! Carrere staggering back, blinking, eyes wide, is stunned as Nolin comes at her. Gena pounding the champ the length of the ring with whipping right hands, drives Tia to the ropes - champ in shock, vision obscured by the torrent of blood from the nasty gash on her brow, hands at her chest and she is TAKING! And DOWN GOES TIA! Tia sideways to the ropes, on one knee is punched foul on the jaw before Nolin is pushed back by the ref. 8 count for a very rocky Tia - she covers up, trying to stay square and smother the challenger, but Nolin stepping back, walks Tia into a biting right uppercut, stuffing the punch in between Carrere's gloves and Tia goes wobbly butt, stumbling forward and finally past Nolin to hit the far ropes as she collapses once again to a rolling stop on her back! Another 8 count for Tia who is trembling - Nolin breathing hard, has thrown a ton of leather. Gambling, Gena Lee attacks, straying low with the left into Tia's trunks, hunching the champ over and bringing her head into range for that uppercut. Carrere wobbling around Gena Lee finally gets busted up by the uppercut and reels back to the ropes, sliding to her left until the turnbuckle stops her as Nolin pounds away with overhand rights. Brutal corner work as Gena pulls Tia's head down and goes to her side and kidney with clubbing right hands, getting pushed back by the ref once again. Tia propping herself on the ropes looks ready to go, Gena on the verge of exhaustion. Once again Nolin wades in, planting her feet wide and slinging in lefts and rights, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she slugs and TIA IS GOING OUT! Carrere defenseless in the corner, taking huge shots on her jaw, head snapping violently back and forth, hands dropping, legs quivering, but the champ refuses to go down. AND THE REF STEPS IN! With seconds left in the round, the referee stops it, sending Nolin deliriously around the ring in triumph as Carrere goes out in his arms. KO1 Gena Lee Nolin who goes insane with victory for about 10 minutes before she can be interviewed.

After: Gena Lee pitches the perfect game, giving Carrere 3 minutes of hell in the process of handing Tia the worst beating of her career. Carrere not used to seeing her own blood just froze when the cut opened early - Nolin thanking her Reyes sponsors - the Mexican manufacturers of the so called 'puncher's glove' and retaking the title with perhaps her finest performance to date. Things are falling in to place for Nolin: a new title, potential big money fights with Jeri Ryan and Sophie Marceau - it's good to be the Gena.