Mini Tyson predator pummels her prey

Ding! Round 3 begins after a silent moment with the two fighters zeroing in on each other from both sides of the ring.

As instructed, Sophie adopts a different stance. She bends her knees deep, lifts her arms, tucks the chin in and comes forward to meet her opponent in the middle of the ring.

Clara doesn’t change a thing to her classic technique. However, her face projects a nasty image. That of a fighter who has no other option than mowing down the opposition if she is to win this fight.

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Danger Public wishes to attack, but she is surprised by how fast Sophie closes in. The German gets to work from inside, throwing shots that force the visitor to cover up and block.

Clara steps back and sideways to avoid getting caught in a storm. Her orange opponent’s pressure pushes her away from the centre, and towards the edges of the ring. Nothing clean lands for the first 15 seconds, but it sets the pace.

The Frenchwoman wants to jab to control the tempo. She releases the punch as Sophie stands right in front of her. Picasso steps forward and outside to the right, rotates and throws a short right hook over the shoulder. It paffs Clara’s jaw.

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Working the angles.

Following up is a simple task with the technical upbringing Sophie has gone through in the last few years. She swings her hips down, then up, withdraws her right hand and shovels with her left hand for an uppercut that comes from an angle Clara’s eyes can’t cover. PISH!

Sophie Schumann Clara Aubert 30-1
Blind spot

Esther: “Aubert may be hurt! She has no clear plan of action against a power puncher and superior boxer who knows exactly what to do. This could escalate quickly. Even faster than those amazing elevators in London’s tallest skyscrapers. If you’re not prepared, you’ll feel a little dizzy.”

Sophie Schumann Clara Aubert 30-2

Pressure mounts

Sophie stays within range to throw short punches that her counterpart isn’t used to dealing with. She can’t keep the German away, and struggles to defend herself as orange gloves keep coming in from awkward angles.

The teenager finds herself near the ropes with the impression that she has to repeal the German now. She sees a gap between Sophie’s gloves and turns her upper body back to prepare an uppercut. Picasso sees the move, steps back and extends her left arm for a hook from a long distance. Pish!

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Sophie follows up with a swift, straight right hand the crunches Clara’s jaw. Another pish sound that the French girl can’t mute!

Esther: “Schumann makes an adjustment to put distance between herself and Aubert due to the threat of an uppercut to land two shots on an opponent who simply doesn’t know what to do. A nice display of tactical flexibility from someone who used to be a steamroller.”

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Fighting with instinct

Picasso knows that her punches hurt. She goes back to the compact stance and increases pressure on Clara. The visitor steps outside to the right and makes a motion for the left hook, but at the same time, Sophie throws a right uppercut below the incoming arm. Blinsided, Clara grunts as she gets rocked, and feels her neck snapping.

Esther: “Schumann is in complete control, dropping bombs at a very steady pace! An alarming one if you are cheering for her. The German’s skills are too much for Aubert to handle.”

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Going for the kill

Sophie thinks: “Let’s put the final touch on this painting.”

This time, Clara is afraid of what’s coming next. She drops back in a corner and Sophie follows her, step for step. She unleashes a flood of fast power shots. A jab to snap her head back. A cross to crush the nose. A left hook to the side of the face as the French girl expects a right hand to come. The second left hook rocks her once again, making her legs buckle.

Picasso goes for the finish, unloading an extra right hook that lands flush on Clara’s cheek.

Sophie Schumann Clara Aubert 34-1

Esther: “The hungry young eagle feasts on her prey! Schumann isn’t swinging desperately here. She’s going for a clinical finish with her most accurate power shots! Aubert must be praying for gravity to do its job or for someone to save her”

Sophie Schumann Clara Aubert 34-2
Clean and clear

Esther: “Aubert is going DOWN. Hammered by unanswered shots, she collapses face first on the canvas in a way that makes me think this is game over.”

The crowd roars as Sophie steps aside to watch her opponent crash. Clara is at least able to move her head up a bit, but nothing more.

Referee Zelda Deniz gets close, kneels down and makes her mind quickly.

Zelda: “OUT!”

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Growing bond

Sophie turns around and goes straight to her coach, who is already in the ring. They run to each other for a big, sweet hug.

Regina: “Congratulations! You boxed so well!”

Sophie, with a huge grin: “Seriously?”

Regina: “You did. Just enjoy the win, will you? We’ll talk about improvements later. Tonight’s your night.”

Sophie: “You betcha.”

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Happy fighter and satisfied coach

Ring announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner at 1:10 in the third round. By knockout for a successful professional debut…. Sophie ‘Picasso’ Schuuuuuuumaaaaannnnnnnnn!”

The crowd applauds a glowing young Bavarian.

Sophie thinks: “I’m not used to this support, but damn, I like it. I gave them a nice show.”

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Thrilled

The TV analyst approaches for a post-match interview, asking for confirmation that the microphone will also work in the audience before asking the first question.

Esther: “Sophie, congratulations on winning on your professional debut. How does it feel to be here now?”

Sophie: “Amazing. It’s a thrilling experience to fight as a pro. Winning feels even better! It’s not like my opponent made it easy, but I was the better fighter.”

Esther: “Clara Aubert was rough around the edges. What do you have to say about that?”

Sophie: “I’ve committed a few fouls myself in the amateur days, but she was over the top. That trip at the end of the second round made me want to knock her out, and I nailed her good. I never felt about to lose my cool, though. Staying calm inside the ring, and focusing on how I fight, is important in the boxing ring.”

Esther: “Unlike in the amateur ranks, you didn’t just come forward to attack.”

Sophie: “Yes. Regina taught me how to better adapt to whatever opponents do during the rounds.”

Esther: “What is coming next?”

Sophie: “I just want a second fight soon. I’m not ranked yet, so it’s not clear who may be the right opponent. I’ll take whoever my promoter will book. Tonight, I just want to celebrate this win and thank everyone who supported me. This audience has been good. Köln is absolutely crazy! My best friend Akane and my sister Alesia have been inspirations, and I can only thank them. My coach Regina as well, of course.”

Right at that moment, Alesia comes from behind to hug her sister.

Esther: “Alesia, do you have something to say about this fight?”

Alesia: “I’m just here to congratulate Sophie.”

Sophie: “I want to hear what you’re thinking!”

Alesia: “Well, this lovely little thing keeps saying that I’ve inspired her to take up this sport. Tonight, she’s the one leading the way. She got up from a nasty loss in January and delivered a convincing performance. That’s an example to follow.”

Esther: “Thank you, ladies.”

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Before leaving the ring, Akane wants to have a picture taken for a little fun.

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Akane: “Congrats, babe! You did it, and you did it well.”

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