(Thanks to FightFan for this Repost)

Posted by Simguy on Wednesday, 17-May-2000 11:10:08

Before: Hayek the forgotten woman in this division after disastrous performances against Milano, Cellar et al. Ladd past her prime, but she makes her former Angel weight no problem. In her prime, Ladd a clever boxer, but pundits think her more suited for chess match with Jane Seymour than slugfest with Hayek - but nobody's twisting Ladd's arm to take this fight. Ladd with short, mousy brown hair wearing black sports bra and black nylon jogging shorts, Hayek in black sports bra, red Adidas terrycloth trunks, black curly tresses.

During R1: Ladd showing plenty of leg early, dancing left and right around Hayek, popping the jab and keeping Salma well outside. Also a little Cellar influence as Cheryl dives in behind right hands to the mouth, bending low and pivoting to turn Salma mid ring. High tempo shutout for Cheryl as Hayek challenges her to 'stand and fight' at the bell.

R2: Ladd continuing to get off first, has Hayek frustrated and walking straight in while Cheryl works the angles. Salma giving up too many free shots starts to get a little jiggly-legged and midway through the round, Cheryl lights her up with one of those diving rights, bashing back Salma's head and sending her stumbling backward for the first time in the fight. Ladd stepping with her dazed foe, hounds Hayek with sniping lefts and rights on the face and in the final minute Salma hits the ropes in disarray. Pushing her palms out, Salma is taken apart by Ladd's still brisk combinations and Hayek's head begins to dance as her hands drop to her lap. HAYEK IS HURT! And almost out as Ladd pumps another left right left into Salma's drowsy face as the bell sounds. Cheryl justifiably please with herself as Hayek slumps - anybody but Salma and this fight is stopped.

R3 Hayek showing that trademark durability shrugs off Ladd's abuse and takes the fight right to the former Angel. Cheryl more flat footed this round, trying to rest, and Hayek's fists beat against the stomach and torso of her foe - right uppercuts and vicious left hooks. Swatting at Cheryl's cheek with a timing left, Salma digs the left in behind the swooning Ladd's elbow and drops her to all fours - Ladd gets up, but she's not the same fighter. All Hayek to the bell as the mercilessly abuses her foe, staying on the body and bludgeoning Ladd into a cringing wreck by the bell.

R4: Ladd's legs are shot and she comes out reluctantly as Hayek fearlessly bodies up. Salma walks her girl to the ropes then methodically goes to the waist with short rights and lefts, keeping her head on Cheryl in between bursts, and pushing the weary brunette back for more. Hayek sinking in that left to the liver and Ladd simply can't take it. Late in the round, Ladd's body jerks as she grimaces, turns away and staggers into the corner as the ref keeps Salma back. With Hayek looking patiently on, Ladd sits on the ropes, doubled over, clutching her body as the ref counts her out. Salma lifts her mitts in victory as Cheryl quietly squeezes out tears, giving up the knockout while still on her feet.

After: A lot of if s after this bout. What if Cheryl were a bigger puncher? What if Ladd's legs were 10 years younger? Hayek does what she was supposed to do - knock Cheryl Ladd out -but the big second round reveals that Salma still has trouble with quickness and that face first offence isn't meant for long careers.

Sim Guy

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