Commentator: “A very even and cagey first 35 seconds of this 4th round. You get the sense that both fighters are now aware of what the other can do, and both of them are trying to react to it. Now they both step in…and Heather lands first! That is a clean right hook that lands for Heather. She beat Virani to the punch and it seems like she hurt Virani with that one.”
Heather: Hell yes, I’m connecting now. I waited you out Virani, and now I’ve struck.
Virani: For better or worse, I generally try to break these sort of stalemates with my left hook. This time…it doesn’t work. Heather slams home a wicked right hand that makes me see stars for a moment.
At ringside:
Alesia: “Oh come on! But damn, that was such a well-thrown punch. I bet you don’t fancy taking these, Kayleigh.”
Kayleigh: “The purple bird can throw hands when she wants to. Bit of a slow starter though.”
Commentator: “Virani retreats into the ropes and Heather pursues…the two fall into a sloppy clinch…and then Heather uses her left shoulder and arm to push Virani into the ropes and create some space…”
Heather: I’m too strong for you, girl.
Virani: The hell? That can’t be legal.
At ringside:
Alesia: “Dammit. I think Virani is in trouble there. That little push can be enough to land a monster punch in the ropes.”
Commentator: “..and Heather Barker drives a wicked uppercut into Virani’s chin! That was a vicious blow that MacVicar was completely not ready for!
Heather: Eat uppercut! This is what happens when you aren’t strong enough…
Virani: Ungh….
Thomas: Oh shit…
At ringside:
Alesia: “I knew it. That low right hand came up damn fast, too. That… really hurts.”
Emma: “…SHIT!”
Commentator: “MacVicar is DOWN! She could not withstand that uppercut right on the point of the chin from the Champion! Heather tries to follow up with a left hook, but Virani was already on her way down. If that had connected, that quite possibly would have turned Virani’s light’s clean out. Still, MacVicar’s somewhat shaky chin is exposed once again.”
Heather: After my uppercut lands flush, I try to pivot my body around to follow up with a left hook…but Virani’s already down! Damn, I almost hit her too hard. But the fight is now in my favour. 10 seconds away from retaining my title.
Virani: Ungh…
At ringside:
Alesia: “Man. It’s a better thing that Virani went down on the uppercut. The left hook wouldn’t have left her a chance to get up. Heather can be so brutal when she gets going.”
Emma: “GET UP VIRANI!”
Commentator: “The crowd roar here for the hometown fighter as the count reaches ‘3.’ Virani is moving, but looking sluggish. That uppercut from Heather seems to have taken a lot out of her. We know Virani is brave, but we also know that she is the type of fighter that can be knocked out with the right punch. The question is…has Heather landed it here?”
Jennifer: I quickly usher Heather into the neutral corner and start the count. Virani is already moving and trying to make eye contact, but she’s pretty clearly stunned. I know her history of losses and I will take that into account. That being said, this is a title fight, and I’ll give her a longer leash because of that.
Heather: Virani really looks hurt. I can’t afford to get too excited yet, but this fight is in my favour now. I can taste victory now.
Virani: Holy hell that uppercut was a heck of a punch. My body is sluggish as I try to react…the good news is for now, there’s still strength in my arms. The question is if there is any strength in my legs, because I’m going to need them real soon.
Thomas: “Take your time, Virani!” I have no idea if she heard me over the crowd noise.
At ringside:
Kayleigh: Hmm…would be interesting to fight Heather. That uppercut is a wicked weapon though!
Alesia, glaring: “We can practice that punch together, Kayleigh. One for one if you like.”
Kayleigh: I’ll keep my brain cells, thanks.
Commentator: “The count has reached 7, but Virani is now on one knee and seems to be following along with the count of the referee. I expect she will rise at ‘8.’
Jennifer: Virani looks hurt, but she also seems to have recovered a bunch. Let’s see her fully get to her feet now.
Virani: As the seconds tick by, I feel my senses returning to me. Stunned, hurt, but not out. That’s what I am right now. I make contact with the ref, and nod along with the count. I want to get every second of rest before I face Heather again. I’m under no illusions – I’m hurt right now and I’ll need to survive the rest of the round.
Heather: Okay Virani, get up. I’ll send you back down and defend my title. Gotta admit you are tougher than you look, girl!
At ringside:
Alesia: “She’ll get up. I wouldn’t be surprised if Heather were to try and swarm her, though.”
Emma: “You can do it, Virani!”
Commentator: “MacVicar left it to the count of ‘9’ but she is on her feet…and it looks like the fight will continue!”
Virani: I’m up. My legs are still feeling a bit wonky, but I’m in control of myself for the moment.
Jennifer: “8…9…Do you want to continue?”
Virani: “I’m okay, let me continue.”
Jennifer: Virani’s words are calmly delivered. She’s hurting but not in any significant trouble. Time to let this fight continue.
“OK, BOX!”
At ringside:
Alesia: “Damn. She looks shaky. I’d prefer if she were sharky.”
Commentator: “The first punch thrown after the knockdown is actually by Virani! Heather quickly raises her guard to block, but it’s a signal from MacVicar – she’s not going to sit back and just hope to survive!”
Virani: I know I’m not a brilliant defensive fighter, so I need to use my offence to help me survive this round. I throw a quick right hand as Heather closes in. Heather almost doesn’t raise her guard in time. I’m hurt but I’m not done yet, Heather.
Heather: As I approach Virani, I have one thought on my mind – ‘knockout’. But I almost walk right into a right hand from Virani. Okay, you aren’t out of this yet, Virani.
At ringside:
Alesia: “It will take more to impress Heather at this point but anything to delay potential swarming is good. COME ON VIRANI!”
Commentator: “With Heather seemingly taken by surprise, Virani has taken the chance to grab a hold of ‘The White Swan’ and hold on for a break. A savvy move from the Torontonian, who, lest we forgeet, has a lot of experience in fighting while hurt.”
Virani: With that right hand putting Heather off balance mentally, I manage to grab a hold of Heather to force a break. This time, the clinch is tight enough that Heather does’t have a chance to pull off any of her tricks. Time for a short breather.
Heather: Damn it. Virani’s clinging to me like her life depends on it. Get off me!
Thomas: “That’s it! Keep her occupied!”
At ringside:
Alesia: “Everyone need a hug every once in a while.”
Commentator: “Heather Barker might have been expecting to find Virani MacVicar short of confidence and short of stability, but she is finding something else indeed at the moment as the Torontonian slyly ducks around a big right hook from Heather. That did little more than muss up Virani’s hair.”
Virani: Heather’s forcing it, and its allowing me to see the punches coming. Thank goodness, because those punches are thrown with major ill intent.
Heather: Damn, Damn, Damn. If one of these punches lands I can end this fight!
Sylvie: “Calm Down! Go to the body!”
At ringside:
Alesia: “Heather the head hunter. What do you think of that pun, Kayleigh?”
Kayleigh: “Should probably have the nickname before the name “The Head Hunter” Heather Barker
Commentator: “Heather Barker continues to try to hit Virani and put her back down on the canvas, but the knockdown has seemingly made the Canadian more elusive. It’s as if she has put all her character points into agility for the remainder of the round.”
Virani: This is stall mode. Avoid punches, clinch. Delay. Stay away. It’s frustrating Heather to be sure. She thinks I’m ready to go. But unless another haymaker lands, I think I’ll be fine. That being said, Heather still throws a vicious uppercut. Good thing it misses.
Heather: Stand still and let me hit you!
Thomas: “Keep it up, Virani!”
At ringside:
Alesia: “Did Heather ask Virani to stand still and take punches? Muhahahahaha.”
Commentator: “This round has been one in the bank for the White Swan, but she has not been able to land many decisive blows after the knockdown. The Canadian Cobra still appears to be a bit hurt, but she has weathered the storm well. Heather ushers Virani towards the corner, but her right hand is blocked nicely.”
Virani: I know the round is close to end so I’m just trying to see it out. I kind of get shepparded into the corner, so I’m being extra careful. Heather throws a big right hand, but its another easy block. Not much composure from my opponent.
Heather: I know this round is close to an end, but maybe I can hammer home my point and hurt Virani again. I throw a little feint, and then throw a right, but Virani gets her gloves up and guards it. Damn. Maybe I can get back inside though.
At ringside:
Alesia: “Heather missed her chance to finish the job. Good thing for Virani. But look at that range. Someone will bill Heather long-distance charges for that right hand.”
Commentator: “Heather Barker puts her punches together at last and lands a very nice left hook to the body. But that will be the last punch of the round. One has to wonder if Heather Barker has let Virani MacVicar off the hook here in this one. Conversely, a fan of the White Swan may think that that damage may have been done.”
Heather: I land a left hook to the body that makes Virani groan again, but that’s the last thing I manage to do in the round. It’s a triumphant round for me, and I think I’ve taken Virani’s energy from her.
Virani: Ooof. That one hurt. But I prevent Heather from taking my head off with another punch. That’s a victory. I survived.
Commentator: “Heather Barker with a triumphant wave to her fans as she walks back to her corner…”
Sylvie: “Hey! What do you think you are celebrating!”
Heather: “I…”
Sylvie: “Sit down and shut up.”
Heather: “But…Okay…”
Sylvie: “Good job at fighting inside. But once you hurt her, you forgot about what got you to that point! You just had to get her to the body and get her to lower her hands, then you could have had her. Virani was ripe for the taking, but you let her off the hook!”
Heather: “Sorry.”
Sylvie: “Don’t be sorry. Make her sorry. Go back to the body. She’s hurting. But be patient. No need to rush, now. We’re winning.
Heather: “Okay.”
Commentator: “MacVicar returns to the corner after a trying round where she hit the canvas. Can Virani recover and get back to the first 2 rounds where she dominated?”
Thomas: “Sit. Take a rest. How are you feeling?”
Virani: “Like I got hit with a sledgehammer. I’m getting my senses back though.”
Thomas: “Good. You survived well there. I need you to waste this round, okay? Concentrate on defence. No risks. Try to recover.”
Virani: “Okay.”
Thomas: “Active jab, but no risks, okay? Keep moving, stymie her. But let’s not get into a firefight, okay? At least not right now. You’re still a bit vulnerable.”
Virani: “I feel recovered…”
Thomas: “You don’t look it. Waste this round and we can focus on the remaining rounds, okay?”
Virani: “Okay.”
Commentator: “It was an action packed 4th round that saw the first knockdown of the fight as Virani MacVicar tasted the canvas after a savage uppercut from Heather Barker. That means she takes the round to a tune of 10-8 and puts her into the lead on my scorecard for the first time. MacVicar seems like she might still be a bit vulnerable, if Heather can find the right punch. But if it sounds simple, it likely isn’t.”
