Boxing After Dark

Posted by Simguy on 4/8/2002, 5:;41 pm.

Before: “Only Dani Fishel takes a fight like this,” beams HBO After Dark’s matchmaking consultant, “Niven’s just a tough old cougar who’s been making names quit for years. And Fishel brought the fight to US!” Babs a WB gym legend, responsible for toughening up legions of young hopefuls from that august stable, including the likes of Ali Landry--hasn’t punched for pay in quite some time but is plenty active on the training side. TE playing hardball in negotiations, specifying 120 on the day of the fight for Barbara—other than that, it’s a cordial affair all around. Dani sporty in black one piece unitard to a high neck, grey fleece drawstring shorts, low ponytail, white shoes and socks—Niven in grey stretch low cut unitard, navy cotton shorts, white shoes and gloves.

During R1: Niven with the right hand at her left cheek, left across the body—and Dani opens the fight with 3 stubby jabs while smart-steppin’ to her left—gets a grin out of the veteran who appreciates the change up. Fishel leggy, working in and out, free and easy with a swinging hook to the ribs as Niven turns to stay square. Down the stretch, Babs avoids the shutout with a walloping right hand out of the crouch—concussive blast to Dani’s stomach sends Fishel back a couple of steps witrh a groaning “O”on her lips. Girls bat gloves en route to their respective corners.

R2: Babs lands a sneaky overhand right, slinging it out of th crossed arm over top Dani’s jab --Fishel immediately covering and crouching and Niven’s  inside. Barbara big and beefy to either side reaching around behind those elbows and getting fearsome spank out of Dani’s waist. Fishel crossing her arms now—women are shoulder butting, chesting each other back, then sinking in gorgeous hooks across the midriff—Niven backing Dani steadily up in bashing trade. Down the stretch, Dani steps to the right, pulls a vicious hook across Barbara’s eyebrows—delayed reaction—Niven looking like she wants to close suddenly gies wobbly butt, staggers back and takes a seat. Fishel steals the round—Noven beats the count, eyes wide at the bell.

R3: Dani uptempoing, using the stubby jab or poking lead right to get close, getting her left shoulder under Barbara’s body lean, prying the older woman back and hooking her body with gusto. Niven banged up this round, beaten in sullen steps to all four ropes—she’s rolling and using her arms well to blunt punches—but Fishel’s the boss on workrate.

R4: Dani get shoulder to shoulder with Barbara—both women with right hands tight at their cheeks, eyes intense as they hook it up to the breadbasket and chests inside. Punching, pushing off with the left shoulder—it’s murderous back and forth trade, deliberately initiated by Dani to take some of the starch out of those 40-something legs of Niven’s. Midway through, Dani takes that step to the right, bites hook of Niven’s left eye—Barbara’s face twists in pain—she pulls the right hand of her cheek, drops her left hand and turns to wander away daze. Fishel hounding the wounded warrior to the ropes—beefy beatdown in the final minute as the youngster helps herself—Niven crossing her arms, taking punches in her ribs that no one should have to suffer.

R5: Banging punches from outside by Dani—crossing Barbara up once again as Niven waits for the bull rush. Swinging right hands to the skull, while left hooks awkwardly off the left side of Niven’s face—Barbara rattled and not taking blows well—she’s locking up, freezing, allowing herself to get clocked with follow up bombs. Hard pitching shutout for Dani—she’s bending into the punches, bouncing her hands off Niven’s head and watching an old woman break down.

R6: Barbara swelling nicely, comes out with her beat round of the fight to bully Fishel to the ropes. Dani not used to someone just shouldering her back—Niven getting underneath Fishel, propping her up and getting after Dani with blockbuster punching from both hands, Babs really bashing away on Fishel’s full arms, wearing out the defense enough for punishing right uppercuts to have effect. Fishel fighting for her life in the dying seconds, digs in and a crowd pleasing exchange of shirt lefts and rights erupts—both women getting caught and jolted on the chin. At the bell, women reel back from one another on humming legs—both badly scorched by compact haymakers.

R7: Dani comes out of the ruinous 6^th in better shape—Niven mouth breathing, looking her age fir the first time in the fight. Dani surprising Babs with the right hand, dropping it on the forehead, using it to set up the swinging hook to the temple. Niven battered to the ropes by the midway point—Fishel setting into the grind using that left shoulder and elbow to jostle and push, putting Barbara’s body to the glove. Niven issues the fight’s first clinches—ref dealing breaks and pushing Dani back by the chest—Youngster bouncy, ponytail dancing, then she stomps back in, bibbing, hooking, marauding. Down the stretch, Barbara standing up straight at the ropes, punching out straight lefts and rights to back Dani off—Fishel bobbing, punching right and left herself and NIVEN GETS DROPPED! Dani grazing a right, slipping Bab’s right then LAUNCHING the hook out of her coiled crouch—shattering blow to the skull that has Barbara immediately out of her feet, limp into the ropes, then collapsing to a sprawl on her stomach. Spectacular KO7 Dani Fishel.

After: Niven recovers—puts her right arm around Dani’shoulders and gives the kid props on camera. “Right here, “ Barbara, pointing at Dani, “This kid the real deal!” Fishel earning respect from an old warhouse—performance one of the most professional, crafty, and hard hitting for the bantam fireplug. TE rolls the dice with dangerous risk/reward scenario, comes away with an unexpected gem of a showcase.

Reposted by Archer 7/19/13.