Trust, a plan and crisis mode

In the red corner, Sophie is frustrated after getting tripped, but she is calmer than her coach has anticipated.

Regina: “That round wasn’t easy at the beginning, but you boxed well and you took it.”

Sophie grumbles: “Thanks. That cheater, though…”

Regina: “I know. I’m surprised you didn’t try to rip her head off.”

Sophie: “I want to focus… on boxing.”

Regina: “That’s the right approach.”

Sophie: “I wanna knock her out before she injures me. What she’s doing is dangerous.”

Regina: “Babe… We don’t want to be overly aggressive like the last time.”

Picasso looks down in disappointment for a second, before looking back up with sad eyes.

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Sophie: “Regina… I’ve done everything you said in the past months. Today, I’m fighting well and holding back while this girl throws me around like a broken toy. Haven’t I earned your trust at all?”

The boxing legend reads her young protégée’s expression and only finds one statement in it: your doubts hurt.

The German plan

Regina grins and gets closer: “You have.”

The bitter orange’s face grows sunnier.

Regina: “Alright. Here’s a plan. Have you seen videos of teenage Mike Tyson?”

Sophie: “Yes.”

Regina: “We’ll rip a page off his book. Bend those legs and stay low. Compact guard, chin tucked in, upper body moving. Come forward, apply pressure and throw power shots. Are you following me?”

The young German nods.

Regina: “When she tries to counter, don’t move in straight but don’t retreat. Take a step forward outside, diagonally, and throw a short punch to the flank or the side of the head. Follow up with the other hand in the middle. Keep that upper body moving and throw combinations. This method will give you angles.”

Sophie: “Got it. That will overwhelm her.”

Regina: “Yes. You have talent and power she doesn’t have. Do this well and she won’t make the distance.”

Picasso smiles and nods: “I will.”

Regina: “You can do better than that.”

Sophie: “You bet your ass I will!”

The coach smiles, wipes her face, gives her water and puts the mouthpiece back in. Once she’s behind the ropes, she taps Sophie on the cheek to encourage her.

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Split in the French corner

Laurent: “Sit down.”

Clara: “No.”

The coach kicks the stool out of the ring in anger.

Laurent: “Then, listen to me! You fucked up! Tripping made you drop a point in addition to losing two straight rounds! If you don’t want me to walk out on you, straigthen up NOW.”

Clara: “It’s not like your coaching makes me win.”

Laurent: “Idiot! She fights better than you. That’s why she’s winning. You started that second round well, but didn’t keep up the pace. All it took was one mistake for her to take over.”

Unable to admit a mistake, Clara looks away. Her facial expression says everything about her state of mind.

Laurent: “Look at me!”

She refuses.

Laurent: “Ok, my little brat. If you’re so much smarter than I am, figure out how to win this on your own. You’ll also need a new coach after this fight. I’m not putting up with this bullshit anymore.”

The Frenchman doesn’t say one more word. He greases up her face, gives her water and the mouthpiece.

Clara thinks: “I’ve been brought here to lose. Fucking setup. If I go down, I’m going down swinging.”

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Pulling ahead

Esther: “Could you feel the tension in Aubert’s corner? After two rounds, Schumann is galloping gleefully on her way to a first professional win. Her boxing skills give her all the points. The deduction for Aubert’s unsportsmanlike tripping digs the hole deeper for a three-point deficit. The kid from a rich Paris suburb has to do something special to win this fight. I suggest she does it with her fists instead of her feet.”

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Zelda: “Seconds out!”

Sophie Schumann
Sophie Schumann
The little sister of Alesia Schumann is a born troublemaker but supremely talented puncher. Former world champion at Lightweight.