Alesia Schumann vs. Anna Schwartz

Much publicised in local media, the fight between Alesia Schumann and Anna Schwartz is formally announced in the latter’s hometown of Berlin! The ink has finished drying on the contract.

Press conference

The press conference host introduces the fighters. “They share initials, but that’s about all they have in common. They exchanged bitter words in the newspaper and we think that this fight, scheduled for six rounds under unified rules, will be a cracker for boxing fans.”

“First, Anna Schwartz has 12 fights on her record, all wins, including 5 knockouts. She is known for her technique, energy and intelligence. She never fought in the amateur ranks but she has shown the ability to out-think and out-punch her opponents.”

Anna says: “Thank you, Alesia, for accepting my challenge. I’ll take you to school and you’ll be the professor’s pet. No need for books, my Reyes gloves and your face will do just fine. Once I’m done, you’ll be so confused that you’ll thank me for knocking you out. It will be the Berlin version of the Stockholm Syndrome.”

Alesia rolls her eyes.

Announcer: “Alesia Schumann, for her part, has a 2-1 professional record, including two knockout wins. She is known for determination under pressure and a nasty uppercut. We are looking forward to seeing her in action once again.”

Alesia: “The highlight of the night will be the sound of you hitting the ground. The knockout will become a YouTube classic with millions of views. People will say “bitch got owned” in the comments.”

Announcer: “Thanks ladies. It doesn’t look like anyone will invite you to the same party anytime soon, unless a scrap is the main event!”

Introductions

Alesia Schumann goes through the entrance at the Estrel Centre in Berlin for her fight with Anna Schwartz. Part of the crowd cheers for her, including a male fan who shouts “marry me, Alesia!”

Today, she is wearing a new outfit but the top is covered by a t-shirt to keep her warm before the start of the action. This one is for you, dear 3D creators…

Regina, the TV analyst: “Alesia makes her way to the ring with a smile, and she’s walking with confidence. She seems really fit.”

Alesia sees Regina as she enters the ring and turns to her coach: “Regina Halmich is calling MY fight. OMG! She’s my idol!”

Maxim grins: “A good reason to make a great impression, right?”

Alesia: “Absolutely!”

Anna Schwartz is the second to go through the entrance to make it to the main stage. Most of the crowd screams and cheers for her, as she is the local girl from Berlin. Right after walking off the platform, she pauses and makes a pose, pointing at Alesia to say “I want you!”

Regina, the TV commentator: “Anna oozes mental strength. This is the fight she wanted and you can tell by a look at her body language. She is in the mood for a good scrap.”

Ring announcer: “Introducing first, fighting out of the red corner, she is wearing a… we don’t know the colour of her top yet, but we see a white skirt, black boots and white gloves. Her professional record stands at two wins by knockout and one loss. From Germany, she is a rising star, a fierce fraulein… Alesia “The Diva” Schumaaaaannnnnn!”

Ally is keeping warm by moving on her toes and making a few punching motions. Wait, look at what her coach is doing!

Regina: “Alesia seems highly focused, not even bothering to look directly at her opponent while loosening up. Maxim Weiß is however staring at the opposite corner while making an uppercut movement, using pre-fight criticism as a taunt. Shots fired before the bell!”

Her opponent, fighting out of the blue corner, is wearing a black top, black pants, black boots and black gloves. She even requested a black corner, but was told it was against the rules. Her professional record stands at 12 wins, including 5 knockouts, without a loss. She has established herself as a big name in female boxing in Germany. From Berlin, she is the Queen of Darkness… Anna “The Killer Bee” Schwaaaaaaartz!

Anna throws straights lefts and rights in the air while giving Alesia “the looks”.

Regina: “Anna may not be the most muscular fighter in the business, but her intelligence and technique have made victims in the ring, and I never saw her trailing in a fight. What remains to be seen is whether she has been tested. For the most part, she fought inexperienced opponents.”

We have a new referee today. Rebecca Linden. She is a tall and strong, a former fighter known for being very strict. She tells both fighters to join her in the middle of the ring.

“We went over the unified rules in the dressing room. This fight is scheduled for six two-minute rounds. There is no three knockdown rule. There is no standing eight count. You cannot be saved by the bell in any round. If you knock your opponent down, you have to go to a neutral corner before I count. If you foul intentionally, I will deduct a point. Got questions? No? Protect yourself at all times. Obey my command at all times. I want a good, clean fight. Touch gloves.”

Even this formality increases the tension.

Anna tells Alesia: “you’re going down! You’ll regret coming here!”

Rebecca scolds the favourite for her pre-fight behaviour while holding both back. “Keep that temper in check, sister!”

While the ref looks away, Alesia closes her eyes and blows a kiss, making Anna furious.

They barely touch gloves.

Back to the corners.

Maxim tells Alesia: “remember everything we worked on. Use space well, defend yourself intelligently, hit her at the right time. Tonight is YOUR night.”

Anna gets told: “Boxing is a science and you’re so good at it you could wear a lab coat. Fight a smart fight, don’t brawl with her. Wear her down. She never completed four rounds and we have six ahead of us.”

“Box!”

After Rebecca’s signal, the crowd comes alive and it’s begging for action. Our fighters don’t waste time circling around each other. Both want to be the first to strike, hoping to set the tone.

Anna is first to move her left arm for a jab, but Alesia has learned a hard lesson in her previous bout. As soon as she shoulder moves, she moves her head to the right and zips a hard jab that finds Anna’s right cheek. The lady in black and yellow is stopped in her tracks.

Regina: “Good anticipation on Schumann’s part. She shows no fear from the start, instead stating that she wants to stand her ground.”

Anna is no fool. She saw that Alesia got clocked by left hooks in her last fight, and she wants to use that punch today. After taking a jab, she goes forward, plants her feet and throws that hook while aiming at Alesia’s right eye and cheek.

Ally goes on her heels and crouches to go under the punch, which only brushes her hair and deflects upwards.

Regina: “Schwartz has done her homework and has targeted Schumann’s most vulnerable point, but it looks like the Diva was prepared for the Killer Bee’s sting. Defense wins championships and if she can keep this up, it will be much harder to hurt her.”

Emboldened by the previous attack, Anna wants to hurt Alesia. As soon as both have their feet set firmly on the canvas, she throws a big right hand. However, Alesia tightens her guard to block it just before it can reach her chin.

Regina: “By now, you can see that Schwartz’s body movement is unusual but highly efficient. On the other hand, Schumann’s defense is holding up. It looks like she has learned a lot from her fight against Akane Watanabe, because she reacts faster and better than she previously did. So far, this nullifies the ability of an even better fighter.”

Right after blocking a right hand, Alesia senses that she has gained momentum in the fight. She does what she did best in the amateurs: charging to move inside. She hammers Anna with a left hook to the liver. This one sends shockwaves into her body. She bends and winces in pain after receiving the kind of punch that no fighter wants to receive.

Alesia’s corner: “I TOLD YOU SHE HAD BEEN PROTECTED. GET HER.”

Anna’s corner: “Don’t slug it out with her! It’s too dangerous! Move away and fight your own fight!”

Regina: “The favourite is in trouble. Either that or we have a new favourite in this fight. I never saw Schwartz hurt, making this a first. Can she step up to this challenge?”

Hurt by a hard left hook to the body, Anna has to react quickly to defend or at least protect herself. She has wraps her arms around Alesia for a clinch. This prevents her from doing more damage.

Rebecca steps in and grabs Anna’s right arm, so she can separate the fighters. “You know this isn’t allowed. Let her go!”

Regina: “Schwartz did what she had to do. It would be a display of foolish pride to take more punches after getting hit in one of the most sensitive parts of the human body. She just bought time. We have an excellent referee, though. She moved in as soon as she saw what Schwartz was up to.”

Action resumes after Rebecca separated the two fighters.

Alesia wants to throw a left hook but Anna thinks a bit quicker this time. She goes through the full motion to throw a powerful right hand and target the right side of Alesia’s face. This “point of view” shot shows it coming in.

Having noticed that her right hand landed before, Anna is bent on hitting back quickly even though she is backing up. She gets in position to throw that cross, but Alesia makes a defensive move. She sticks her left arm out, twists it and pushes sideways to her left. This doesn’t just block the punch. It pushes Anna’s arm away to create a big opening.

Regina: “Schumann is in the zone. She is composed, calm and aggressive at the same time. She is stable on her feet and she makes the right moves. Back in the day, I would have followed this up with a big right hand.”

Alesia’s defensive move in the last pic destabilised Anna, who was already fighting while backing up. She’s headed to the ropes and Alesia throws a right hand in that wide open defense. The glove and jaw connect and you can hear the Killer Bee groan.

Anna’s corner: “Move away from her! Regain your senses before it’s too late!”

Alesia’s corner: “Keep her in there and keep punishing her! Make her pay for talking too much!”

Regina: “Schwartz is disorganised. In contrast, Schumann is not only in control, she finds the perfect range with her punches, which make loud impact sounds. It’s terrible for a boxer to be on the receiving end of that.”

Anna was shaken up by a powerful right hand, but she recognises the need to do something quickly. She starts moving to her left, sidestepping in order to escape from the ropes and get out of Alesia’s range. Ref Rebecca doesn’t get closer, as Anna isn’t defenseless.

Regina: “I can’t help but think that Schumann has superior firepower here. They have traded and she came on top of the exchanges, making Schwartz bleed from the mouth and forcing her to retreat. Now she pursues her opponent.”

Alesia chases Anna, who turned around and found her way out of the ropes. She’s fighting backwards but in a better position. Alesia wants to attack, but before she can make a move, her opponent sends a stiff jab to catch her forehead and snap her head back a bit. It could slow her down.

Anna’s corner: “Now that’s boxing! Keep her away by doubling and tripling that jab if you have to!”

Regina: “Anna shook off the pain of the big right hand she took a moment ago and she is still in the game. Her challenge is to keep this up and find a chink in Schumann’s armor.”

Alesia took a jab but she remains confident in her ability. She taunts Anna by dropping her hands, smiling and saying something.

“That didn’t hurt. Now, give me a REAL punch. Hurt me!”

Anna is surprised by this unusual move and she hesitates for a moment.

Regina: “That’s classic from a fighter who wants to throw an opponent off. This could be a trap, or simply a foolish move.”

Despite her hesitation, Anna goes for it as Alesia offers her a clear target. She throws a right hand, her best punch so far in the fight. Her opponent, however, moves her head and body slightly to the right, making her miss and waste energy.

Alesia: “Nyuk nyuk”.

Alesia profits from the timing advantage gained with her unusual move. She had put her left hand in position to lift it up, and she does so quickly to throw a left uppercut that catches Anna’s chin.

Regina: “The left uppercut isn’t a right-handed fighter’s most powerful punch, but it sends their opponent’s head back and eyes looking at the ceiling. If Schumann plays her cards well, she can capitalise on the move.”

Alesia knows that Anna needs help but she doesn’t feel like doing charity right now. She piles on the pressure and follows up on her last attack. As Anna’s head comes back down, she throws a big right hand that lands on the left side of her face and catches part of the already-bleeding mouth.

Regina: “Schwartz doesn’t seem to know how to stop Schumann’s power shots from landing. This isn’t something you want to happen against a puncher.”

No mercy at all. After hurting Anna with a right hand, Alesia keeps violating her space. She keeps her busy and instinctively rotates her body down to the left and turns to deliver a powerful left hook to the liver. Anna bends over and groans in pain, making her fans say “ohhhhhh!” when leather meets skin and muscles in her abdomen.

Regina: “Anybody who looked at their records would have predicted that things would have gone the other way. Schwartz is taking a beating at the hands of the girl she thought would be too inexperienced. Can she respond?”

Alesia keeps finding the angles. After digging to the body, she once again lets punches from her body’s position, winding up, rotating and putting everything behind and under a right uppercut to find Anna’s jaw.

Regina: “This is the story of this fight. Schwartz said that Schumann would not land her right uppercut on her or on anyone with experience. She just ate it, and she’s hurt. She probably regrets everything she said prior to this bout, but she has no time to dwell on it.”

Alesia landed her best punch, the right uppercut, but she is not satisfied yet. Anna isn’t defending herself. This time, Alesia pivots and delivers a massive left hook squarely on the jaw. Her opponent’s head and body turn to her left after receiving the impact.

The crowd is divided. Part of it gasps and part of it cheers Alesia’s bombs landing.

Alesia’s corner: “KEEP GOING! She’s almost done!”

Regina: “Schwartz is taking too many power shots. There is a gap between the two fighters and it gets larger with each punch by now. This is becoming dangerous.”

Alesia is not taking prisoners tonight. Right after twisting Anna’s whole body with a left hook, she follows up. She tightens her right fist and transfer her whole weight for a whopper of a right hand. Anna has no defense and her jaw absorbs the full power of the punch. An ouch moment!

Alesia’s corner: “YES! YES! YES!”

Regina: “Schwartz is unable to protect herself and perhaps someone should do it for her.”

Great minds think alike. Rebecca sees the same thing than Regina and she steps in to stop the right.

Anna is devastated. She never thought she would lose, even less by a first-round TKO.

Rebecca: “I have to do this. You were overwhelmed.”

Regina: “The referee made the right decision. Schumann was giving Schwartz a beatdown and it was not reasonable to let her continue, even if we all wished for a chance to get back into it.”

Anna’s record now stands at 12 wins and one loss. Alesia moves up to a 3-0 record, including three knockout wins.

Ring announcer: “The winner by technical knockout before the end of the first round, with her third straight KO… Alesia “The Diva” Schumaaaaaaannnnnnnn!

Alesia celebrates while the crowd cheers her scintillating performance. In fact the finest in her pro career.

Regina starts moving in her direction for the post-fight interview.

Regina Halmich has questions for Alesia, who is very happy to field them.

Regina: “Congratulations on the win. This is the best performance of your career. How do you explain that you beat her so convincingly?”

Alesia: “Two things come to mind. First, I think that she was overrated and that I was underrated. When you look at a fighter’s record, you have to ask yourself who they beat. In Anna’s case, the answer was “nobody good”. Meanwhile, I have an extensive amateur background and I faced tough opponents in the professional ranks. Secondly, I have grown between the Watanabe fight and this one. My coach made training harder than competing and he corrected my flaws. That pays off.”

Regina: “There was much animosity between the two of you before the fight. Wasn’t that a distraction?”

Alesia: “Oh no. Once I am in the ring, the fight is a task and the opponent an obstacle, not an enemy. The point is to win and build a strong foundation. Everything else is secondary. On the other hand, someone said I wouldn’t land my uppercut on her. Not only did I land it, I bossed her.”

Regina: “Many will talk about the power shots you landed, but I noticed that you created opportunities with defensive moves. Did you have a point to prove there?”

Alesia: “Agreed. Defense was the cornerstone of my strategy as an amateur and my coach made me refocus on that. I believe that good defending is the best form of attack.”

Regina: “What is the main takeaway for you tonight?”

Alesia: “When Anna challenged me, I saw two potential accomplishments. The first is defeating a better known fighter to build my reputation. The boxing world knows me a little more now and that’s great. The other important point, after the fight against Akane Watanabe, was to show that I can do more than landing lucky punches. That’s done.”

Regina: “Are you open to a rematch with Watanabe, or do you have someone else in sight?”

Alesia: “Maybe someone will challenge me in the newspaper tomorrow! More seriously, it’s time to evaluate options and if Akane wants to share the same ring again, I’ll welcome her with open arms.”

Regina: “It seems that your punching power has grown fast lately. How do you explain that?”

Alesia: “Gosh, that’s a hard one. I think that the technique and body strength have always been there, and they are improving, but the absence of headgear and the smaller gloves make a difference in the pro ranks. I surely feel my punches a lot more now.”

Regina: “Thank you…”

Alesia: “Regina, you are my idol and inspiration. I love you!”

Regina: “It looks like I have a fan here. Thank you Alesia for taking a few minutes to talk, and congratulations again on the big win. We’ll see each other again soon.”

Alesia Schumann
Alesia Schumann
Super Lightweight champion of the world, German champion and one of the pound for pound best. The Diva is known for her tactical strength and durability.