Liz Mueller vs. Jane Couch
August 19, 2000 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut
fight report
by Brian Macy
originally published on the Women's Boxing Page
On August 19, 2000 at Foxwoods Resort
Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut, Liz Mueller (133 lbs) of New London,
Connecticut won a six-round unanimous decision (59-55 on all three cards)
over Jane Couch (134 lbs) of Fleetwood, U.K.,
the current WBF Women's Lightweight champion.
Mueller improved her record to 5-0; Couch (who reportedly took the fight at
about 10 days' notice) fell to 13-3. I received this ringside
report from Brian Macy on the night of the fight ... Dee Williams
The opening fight of the Naseem Hamed vs Augie Sanchez
card, Liz Mueller squared off against Britain's Jane Couch.
Mueller came in with a 4-0 record against Jane Couch's 13-2.
Couch the more experienced fighter was quoted as calling Mueller
a "novice" in the local paper. Couch, coming off wins against
Sharon Anyos and
Marischa Sjauw, looked more than ready
for a six-rounder after going 10 or 12 in her last fights.
Both fighters looked in shape and ready to go as Round One
was underway. The first round was a feeling out process as
Mueller moved her head effectively and Couch threw steady one-
two's. At the close of the round Couch looked like she took it
because of her activity, but it was plain to see she was not
fighting a novice.
The second round started out like the first
with Mueller moving her head, but as the round wore on Mueller
started coming up with left hooks and slowly started catching
Couch from all angles. Couch steadily pumped out her jab/right-hand
combination, but she was not able to prevent Mueller's hooks
and right hands from the crouch.
In Round Three, Mueller stepped
up the attack and kept an even tempo of slipping punches and
landing combinations. Couch fought in a way like the typical
European fighter and stood too straight up.
In Round Four a lesser woman would have stayed on the
stool but Jane Couch came out fighting. She landed some good
right hands when Mueller was coming in and kept throwing the
whole round. The problem was, the right hands did not keep
Mueller off at all as she continued the assault on Couch.
Mueller constantly was in between moving her head and firing
hooks and right hands.
Rounds Five and Six continued the same way with Mueller
controlling the tempo and winning the exchanges. Couch to her
credit landed good one-twos, she just did not have the pop to
keep Mueller off.
The score was unanimous, all the judges having it 59 to 55
for Mueller. The general consensus in the press was the same. I
personally had the same exact score.
It was understandable for
Couch to think she was just fighting a novice , but Liz Mueller's
vast amateur experience and four pro fights were more than enough
to get her ready for the top women.
Jane Couch lost this one
but will surely be back in the mix soon.
This was a coming out
party for Liz Mueller and with her speed and head movement I
expect a lot in the future. Mueller and her management are
hoping for a December date against Marischa Sjauw at Foxwoods.
Brian Macy is the son of Liz Mueller's
trainer Andy Macy. At the time of writing this report, he was a 17 yr. old with 75 amateur fights,
and had competed in Junior Olympics, National youth Police Athletic
League and National under 19 events. He had assisted the local
newspaper in fight coverage and authored fight stories for his
High School paper. Although he was clearly not an unbiased observer of
Liz Mueller's career, I felt this was a fair report of this fight ... Dee
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