Sunday, 28-May-2000 19:06:09

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost )


Before: Bridges under the radar since Baywatch, but the fiery red head has pundits buzzing -she could be the next Jaime Pressly. Angelica not shy about trashing her opponent in pre-fight -very critical of what she sees as the 'squandering' of the exposure Charisma's been given. Outdoor bout at the Playboy mansion, Bridges in green crochet bikini, yellow boots and gloves, Charisma in red crochet bikini black boots and gloves - both girls with messy ponytails.

During R1: Highly motivated Charisma takes it to her opponent, using darting attacks to drop right hands onto Angie's navel, then step out as the redhead takes. Hit and run shutout for Charisma who can land her lunging shots at will, tagging chin, breasts and tummy with single potshots this round.

R2: Carpenter continuing to use those legs which is a nice change from her last several bouts. Charisma keeping up the lanky, in and out attack, whipping her shots in and leaning her torso with the snapping punches. Late in the round, Bridges has had enough, going to Carpenter's midriff with straight rights, then standing up into a whip action hook, catching Charisma mid-hook herself, and spilling the brunette to the ropes. Carpenter's long legs shot - she pushes punches back at Bridges who stands wide, slugging away and banging back Charisma's head to the bell. Angie steals a Carpenter round with late power, and trash talks a dazed Charisma all the way back to her corner.

R3: Shutout Bridges as she shows offensive form reminiscent of Hatcher, Pressly and other banging lanky bodies. Hard straight right hands spear Carpenter to the body, setting up the whip action hook to the jaw which Bridges commits to totally, standing up into the punch, chin out to be countered, but Carpenter wilting under the heat can't get off. Angelica walking her girl down, lashing at Carpenter's ribs and head and following her around the ring as Charisma just tries to survive this round.

R4: Small crowd to its feet as both girls stand mid ring, forget everything they know and start fighting for all their worth. Both girls stunned after crashing, lanky blows bounce hard off their jaws, ribcages are rattled as each flings wide right round punches in sweeping arcs. Carpenter finally emerges the stronger, getting inside Bridges' reach and snapping off long armed body shots ala Derek Gainer. Angie covering up, stumbling forward slightly as Charisma belts away from hip to hip.

R5: Mirror image round, both girls showing tremendous fitness in coming out and slugging with abandon. A jab or a straight well timed blow could turn things around for either girl, but both are content to sweep and lunge at one another, taking and giving almost equally to the final minute. Late in the round, Bridges gets the break, beating Charisma to a crashing hook, then beating the brunette to a slapping right hand, and Carpenter wobbles backward, suddenly rocked. Bell sounds before Angie can follow up, but she has to be restrained as Carpenter staggers back to her corner.

R6, 7: Carpenter starts to settle down, dipping in under Bridges' wide punches and owning the redhead on the inside. Angelica showing her inexperience, tries to clinch with Charisma, but Carpenter keeps her hands moving, using that sharp shoulder into Angie's jugs or teeth and snapping those whippy combinations to the red head's body and breasts. Bridges seemingly happy to lay in, bounces her fists off Charisma's stomach in kind - but Carpenter with her weight forward, the busier, more effective slugger in tight.

R8, 9: Angelica gets the message, makes the adjustment, using her legs and a slashing jab to keep Carpenter on the outside. Momentum changes as Charisma starts to get picked up by the red head's uppercut on foray's inside, and pulling back, Carpenter's getting nailed by the whipping left hooks and stabbing straight rights from the redhead. Bridges with the shutout in the 9th once again the huntress - walking Charisma down, slashing at the brunette's ribs and chin with loose limbed combinations, then chasing as Carpenter bails out.

R10: Carpenter refuses to be shown up by another up and comer, stands her ground and beats out the draw with a tremendous effort. Bridges the better boxer, could have won by staying away, but she trades with Carpenter, allowing the brunette to fall in behind a short right hand on the cheek that has the red head a little groggy early. Charisma sweeping with the left hand, then getting her body behind the right does enough damage to take the round despite a nice rally late from Bridges that sees Carpenter covering up and taking in the corner. Combatants are physically separated as the action spills into overtime, and the decision comes back a well received draw.

After: Carpenter getting a rare gift - these close fights have gone against her in the last couple of years. Bridges fighting on TV for the first time since 98, disappointed with her effort and challenging Charisma to an immediate rematch. "I totally fought her fight and didn't do what we'd worked on in the gym. I will defeat Charisma Carpenter in a rematch, and easily. That's a guarantee."


Sim Guy