(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Wednesday, 24-May-2000 17:50:35

Before: Stowe gets on TV, facing perennial blonde gate keeper in what should be a competitive match up. Smith looking good her last time out, shelving retirement talk for the nonce, while Stowe battled hard in a losing effort against malcontent Deborah Unger. Black sports bra red Adidas terrycloth trunks for Stowe, White sports bra, light blue Adidas trunks for Smith.

During R1: Stowe out sharp with fencing footwork, jabbing to Smith's face, stepping in with the hook to the body - Smith blocking and falling back. First minute, Stowe hooks off the jab, crossing Smith up and landing hard on her chin - DOWN GOES CTS! Courtney on her butt, up quickly but she's not straight when the ref lets 'em go. Stowe going to the body and head with nice tight combinations, and final minute action sees her bash Smith's face to the side with another flush hook. Shutout round with power leaves Courtney vibrating, wide eyed at the break.

R2,3: Smith staying in the pocket as the girls step economically around one another, chopping jabs out of high, tight guards. Good veteran action from both women - Smith taking the second, Maddie the third as punches are thrown in combination to body and head.

R4: Madeleine begins breaking Smith down once again, busting hooks off the jab to hammer away at the blonde's jawline and right cheek. Smith getting buffeted in a semi-circle, stops punching and goes defensive while Stowe goes hook happy. Left tear up Smith's right side, spanking hard against the ribcage, scrubbing the belly and hammering against the ear and jaw of Courtney as she wobbles, keeps square to her opponent. Madeleine not known for her power, but she's hurting Smith with great form, leverage on her punches, getting her weight onto that front foot and committing.

R5: Another shutout for Stowe as the brunette bangs back the blonde's head with a stiff, stiff jab - Smith getting pulped, staring back rather than punching. Stowe doing all the work, beats her girl from pillar to post, steps with Courtney and continues to touch up that right side with a busy left hand.

R6: Smith getting tanned! She covers up, standing in front of Stowe who works diligently to break her opponent down. Maddie with a pretty habit of touching Courtney with her head or shoulder, then snapping in a thudding series to the gut or ears as Smith seems shellshocked. Courtney bending forward, taking to her waist and ears, seems unable or unwilling to move her hands off her face, getting cuffed from one foot to the other as Stowe issues another bell to bell beating.

R7: All Madeleine Stowe until the final minute when a shiny faced Smith finally answers some of the punishment. A decent jab backs Stowe off, and the girls fence at long distance to the bell.

R8: Smith getting busier, going with scooping one twos to Stowe's flat gut, then putting her chin on Madeleine's shoulder to walk the brunette back. Body work seems to suit the blonde -she outhustles Maddie in close, puts both hands consistently to the trunk line and has Stowe backing up this round.

R9: Another nice grinding round for Smith as she stays right on top, keeping her head close to Madeleine's, touching the brunette's hips and midriff with both hands, and reaching around Madeline's waist with a corralling left whenever Stowe looks to step back. Stowe landing the odd chopping right inside, but she's coasting, obviously conserving energy for the 10th round.

R10: Maddy comes out stomping that lead foot, jabbing hard once again, and the hook reemerges as Smith fades back. One, two, three hooks bash against the side of Smith's head as she is slow to react, and she comes up groggy, legs looking funky as she tries to wheel away. Stowe hunting her down, finding Smith's face with the heartless range finding left, then stepping in with that hook and midway through the round Courtney comes apart. Smith, suddenly hurt, staggers to the ropes, and looks ready to go as Stowe pounces, churning lefts and rights to Smith's sides as the blonde wavers back and forth. Courtney won't go down, and Stowe lightens up, content to shoulder her girl against the ropes, and chug with single lefts to the gut to the bell. Smith choking back tears at the decision - Unanimous duke Madeleine Stowe.


After: Stowe hands out a drubbing to a surprisingly flat Courtney Thorne Smith, who couldn't really get anything going against the brunette tonight. Madeleine with average power, but a high work rate held Smith punchless for long stretches of the fight, working the hook overtime to keep Courtney contained, and beating the blonde down in round after round of solid output.

Sim Guy

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