Akane Watanabe spars with Kayleigh Parsons ahead of Vera clash

We now go to Halmich Gym, where Akane Watanabe is training ahead of her fight with Vera Stone.

Regina: “Akane, you have a new sparring partner today. Someone who has an extensive amateur background and a few pro fights. She’s here because her fundamentals are solid. If you make a mistake against her, she will punish you.”

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Akane looks at Kayleigh Parsons, from England, and smiles.

Akane: “Hi! I’ve seen your pro fights on TV. You’re so good! Thanks for coming to Munich to work with me.”

Kayleigh: “Anytime! I’m glad to be here.”

Regina: “Alright, ladies. Warm up, then gear up.”

15 minutes later

The coach resets the timer for two-minute rounds with 30-second breaks in between.

Regina: “Box!”

The two boxers circle around each other and jab cautiously for 15-20 seconds, trying to read the sparring partner’s movements. After a few skirmishes, Kayleigh sees a pattern she wants to exploit. She opens up to throw her right cross. Akane changes directions, pivots on the left and twists her upper body to smack the Englishwoman on the chin with a straight left hand.

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Kayleigh thinks: “What was that angle? Tricky girl!”

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Regina: “That’s right. You can turn elusiveness into attack!”

Akane maintains the pressure throughout the rounds. Kayleigh turns to a tight guard to protect herself against the sharp punches thrown by the Japanese-German.

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Akane brings Kayleigh to a corner and throws fast, hard punches. The Englischer has no choice but to bring her right hand up to block a left hook. The glove against glove collision makes a PISH sound that resonates in the gym.

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Akane pulls her left hand back and gets ready to throw a right hand, but Kayleigh turns defense into a counterattack. An overhand right comes in and her knuckles deliver a solid knock on the chin.

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Between rounds 4 and 5, Regina talks to her fighter.

Regina: “Remember the importance of coming in from different angles. Move your head and upper body as you throw punches.”

Akane: “Right!”

Round 5 starts and it’s an intense one. Near the end of it, Akane has figured out Kayleigh’s timing. She goes forward and the visitor throws a darting right cross. Akane moves her head and upper body to the left while throwing a right. Kayleigh misses and receives knuckle sandwich on the chin.

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A few seconds later, Round 5 is over.

Regina: “Time! Great sparring! Thanks for coming to Munich, Kayleigh, and for working with us.”

Kayleigh: “Great! I’ll have to get going. Thanks for the workout.”

Once they are alone…

Regina: “Do you feel the difference between coming in straight and being elusive?”

Akane: “Yes! I really felt her chin when I caught her with the right hand, too.”

Regina: “That one hurt. It’s the kind of punch we want to hit Vera with. She’s a strong counterpuncher, so we have to be tricky to avoid walking into shots.”

Akane: “Right.”

Regina: “Great work in this training camp, though. You’re ready for this fight.”