Originally posted by Simguy on Wednesday, 11-Aug-1999 22:26:28

(Thanks to FightFan for this repost)

Before: Fighters with history mix it up as each finds herself at a crossroads. Another loss for Jewel condemns her to official journeywoman status. Twain too big a star to ever not be a main event fighter, but other celebs smelling blood in the water - a loss could make Shania a marked woman with the loss of respect. Twain absolutely rock hard at the weigh in, coming in light but ripped. Jewel soft, but easily the big woman of the two - always an interesting battle of contrasts. Shania in red nylon jogging shorts, black bikini top, Jewel in teal Adidas terrycloth trunks, white jogbra.

During R1: What's this? Jewel showing life early? Beating Shania to the punch? Taking the fight to the brunette? All of the above as the blonde comes out looking much busier than usual, not hurting Twain, but taking a little off the fastball to land and keep Shania at bay. Twain not on the board till late in the round as Kilcher puts punches together, and even outjabs a surprised Twain in the first.

R2: Back to reality - Shania using her legs to dismantle Jewel, snapping off the cunning jab, circling. Midway through the round, Jewel comes looping in with the left, then sweeping back with the right and SHANIA GOES DOWN! Stunning right hand to the jaw clubs Shania to her side. Brunette up, but wide eyed with shock, desperately dancing away from Jewel as the blonde closes in. Kilcher bodying up, all but hurls Shania into a corner for a grueling beat down. Round ends with a hurting Twain covering up, taking banging blows off her arms and hips from a fired-up Kilcher to the bell.

R3: Twain shows her marvelous conditioning, shaking off the punishment, and setting a blistering pace this round. Sheer movement and volume of punches breaks down Jewel's defense, and by the halfway point, Twain's hardest right hands are tearing flush into Kilcher's face. Shutout Twain as she picks Jewel apart this round with pinpoint stick and move.

R4: Shania shakes the final cobwebs from her head, and takes over the fight. Stepping left, Twain digs a short left hook under Jewel's right arm, then changes direction to drag the hook into Kilcher's face. Jewel cut early, spends most of the round behind a crossed arm defense, acting as target as Shania spits out 2 and 3 punch sharpshooting combinations.

R5: Jewel from the crossed arm stance, walks through Shania's jab and unleashes hellacious wide lefts and rights to the body, bringing Twain to a full stop. Shania leaning in with the bigger woman, breathing hard as Jewel pounds her with heavy handed blows to the flanks. Midway through the round, Shania seems paralyzed, head on Jewel's shoulder as the blonde digs to the body. A short right uppercut lifts Shania's head off Jewel's shoulder, allowing Kilcher to club a short left hook flush on the jaw, and Twain stumbles to the canvas. Shania badly hurt, up at 8, but wilts as Jewel plunges in, now fearlessly bodying up, shoving the smaller girl back, and letting her hands go ala David Tua. Twain desperate to protect her head, is literally battered to the canvas by blows to her arms and back as she folds forward. Somehow, a staggery, almost helpless Twain survives the round as Kilcher gets uproarious cheers from the crowd.

R6: Shutout round for Kilcher as a badly battered Shania Twain plays defense on the ropes. Jewel arm weary, throwing too many punches in the fifth, can't capitalize, but banks another round as Shania fights to survive.

R7: Twain's conditioning beginning to be a factor as she gets her legs back, and begins boxing a tired looking Jewel. Kilcher following more, unable to jump on Shania, takes a pounding from Twain's clever jab. In the final minute, all out Shania with left hooks to the ribs and head, busts Jewel up by the bell.

R8: Another shutout Shania. The energy is just oozing out of Jewel's legs and backside as she shuffles around the ring - sweaty blonde head taking repeated ringing blows throughout the round.

R9: Shutout Shania. Brunette gaining in confidence, using her legs to bury the bigger girl.

R10: Twain fighting as though she's won the decision, shuts Jewel out again, but never once presses for a stoppage. Kilcher's hands at her chest, unable to stop the Twain jab from landing, and walking into right hands to the face. At the bell, both fighters embrace after easily their toughest battle against one another. Decision comes back a stunner: Jewel Kilcher by a single point on all cards.

After: Heartbreaking loss for Shania, despite a brilliant effort in coming off the canvas 3 times to dominate down the stretch. Both fighters shock their critics in this one: Twain showing an unbelievable chin and will to win, Jewel fighting very sharp, finally using her size effectively in a fight. Kilcher immediately writes volume of poetry exploring the thrill of victory, to go along with her reflection on defeat - earns favourable comparisons to Blake's songs of innocence/songs of experience.

Sim Guy



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