Posted by Simguy on Wednesday, 03-May-2000 12:35:28

Before: Gatekeeper distinction expected to pass between these two stalwarts—CTS has been a true warrior fighting everyone who’s anyone over the last 10 years and buzz has it she’s not up to Krakowski’s challenge. Krakowski the more solid physically, expected to engage the smaller blonde in a war of attrition and beat Courtney down—CTS almost the only believer in herself. Cast and crew from “Ally McBeal”—the usual Kelley invite-only crowd. Krakowski in red sports bra, while white adidas terrycloth trunks, white tube socks—CTS in white sports bra, sky blue adidas trunks, white tube socks.

R1: High tempo opener, neither girl interested in feeling the other out, Some interesting switching from orthodox to southpaw from CTS—keeps Jane off balance, and often suckers her for a straight right hand as court moves counterclockwise, turning the bigger blonde mid ring. Round to CTS.

R2: More convincing CTS round—she’s sharp, getting off first, keeping Jane outside with the stinging right jab, always keeping her feet moving, Krakowski settling into the roll of stalker—following Court around the ring, walking into brisk 2 and 3 punch combinations, and by the time she comes out of her guard, CTS is gone. Court moving around the ring, hands palm out at her shoulders as the wheels are turning.

R3: Jane having some good innings—cutting Courtney off and banging to the midsection to stop those storied legs from running away with the bout. All Krakowski to the final minute, when Court steals the round with good old fashioned power. Punching with Krakowski at the almost shoulder to shoulder range—Court turns righty, banging the fist repeatedly off Krakowski’s jaw, stepping t the right, and continuing to pound. Jane momentarily woozy, blunders into the storm and comes up cut over the eye to end the 3^rd. CTS stomping back business like to her corner as she piles up the points.

R4: Great two way action as Jane begins to fight a little desperate, leap9ng in to connect with hooks, then banging with CTS as the two throw biting combinations. Head to head, Jane’s heavier fists take the toll—CTS just fighting, not boxing and it’s coating her. Round ends up with Court on the ropes, giving her ribs as Jane works the flanks to the bell.

R5,6: Courts starts to go away and on the cards, taking fifth by wide margin, and the sixth by shutout. Once again, CTS legs are the difference, moving her constantly—she decides when to stop and get off, then it’s back to stepping around, circling back, always luring Jane in. Krakowski getting frustrated, covering up at CTS gets off a 3 punch burst and escapes, leaving Jane slightly more beat up as the punches accumulate.

R7: Big Court round as she begins to set down on her punches, stay in longer during the exchanges, adding a 4^th and 5^th punch to the sequences. It’s Krakowski wearing down, covering up and taking, often allowing Court to muscle her in a circle and wrong foot her. By the end of the 7^th. CTS is turning Jane’s curly blonde head with short, sharp right hands on the chin, and the bigger blonde isn’t answering back. Krakowski a little distraction at the bell, wobbles alarmingly to her corner.

R8: The harder Jane fights, the stronger CTS gets, Krakowski doing great job of slugging—bouncing her fists off Court’s ribcage, , but CTS paying her back 2 blows for every one received. CTS is fighting now, with a beatup Jane Krakowski in front of her, and she keeps up the pressure.

R9,10: Great finishing round with Courtney taking the 9^th to seal the deal, then running most of the tenth as Jane tries in vain to find lightning in a bottle. Nothing too fancy from Courtney: she never lets Jane square up, constantly getting off first and using tactical clinches to smother the receipts. By the final minute, CTS is cooing—a battered, cut, exhausted Jane Krakowski tries in vain to cut off the ring and is resigned ti her fate. Unanimous duke CTS.

After: CTS not ready to give it all up just yet, hands out a workmanlike beating to the shellshocked Krakowski and lets her hear about it after the fight. “Bottom line, I still think I’ve got another championship in me,” says Courtney, “I feel like the best is yet to come.”

Reposted by Archer 5/4/14.