Virani spars with Chloe Potvin

With Virani scheduled to face a puncher in Carla Flores, Virani’s camp has wasted no time in bringing in quality opposition to spar with for this important fight. The crown of this jewel is the Canadian Super Lightweight champion, Chloe Potvin. The aggressive slugger is a far more weighty opponent than Carla, but it’s always good to prepare by facing tough opponents that have a similar style.

There is another reason that Chloe has come in to spar with Virani. For this fight, Thomas and Emma have decided that Virani’s best path to victory isn’t slugging it out with the puncher in an all out brawl, but to outbox the Mexican, staying at a distance and landing straights and jabs. The strategist figure that if the fight is a brawl, it might be close to a 50/50 affair, but if Virani is smart and is able to outbox Carla, she would be a big favourite. To change up this strategy, Virani needs to experience facing a puncher while playing the ‘role’ of the boxer.

Chloe and Virani first meet in the ring, and Virani takes measure of the Super Lightweight champion. She’s not taller than Virani, but she is built way more solidly. If Virani is built like a sportscar, thin and lithe, than Chloe is build like a NASCAR – solid and powerful. The two share a few words, but Chloe is not much of a talker, so they touch gloves and go to work. Two Canadian champions sharing the same ring.

Virani v. Chloe 1

Chloe, much like Carla Flores is a straightforward fighter. What you see is what you get. Virani works a long snapping jab, that Chloe is a bit wary of as it brushes her face, she knows that Virani is a power puncher and she doesn’t want to get hit if she can avoid it. Chloe decides that she can have success if she gets inside, so she uses her strength to get Virani backing up towards the ropes. Once Virani has been successfully put in the corner, Chloe uses her size and strength to get space to land a thudding left hand to Virani midsection.

Virani thinks: That stung. She bullied me around so easily too! Gotta have faster feet.

Virani v. Chloe 2

Virani gets out of the corner after taking punishment and wants to get back to boxing at a distance. Distance is certainly her friend against the bigger fighter. Virani keeps active, tossing out jabs to keep Chloe on her toes. The Cobra is able to land quite a few of them on Chloe, who doesn’t seem concerned about eating Virani’s left hand. She does avoid the right hand when thrown, but the Quebec native simply walks through Virani’s jabs.

Virani thinks: This is good, I have her under control right now.

Virani v. Chloe 3

Virani wants to follow up her ‘1’ with a ‘2’ but Chloe reads that, sneaking to her right and unloading a solid right hand that dents Virani’s abdomen. Virani escapes to her left, but she knows that that one hurt, and thats the kind of move that Carla could pull on her as well.

Virani v. Chloe 4

It doesn’t look good from the other side, either…

Virani v. Chloe 4a
Virani spoils the remaining part of the round, but it’s clear that Chloe has had the better of the first round. She goes back to her coach for a pep talk from Thomas.

Thomas: “That wasn’t bad. Vary your use of jabs more. Harder jabs mixed with weak, probing jabs. Keep your feet moving. If you want to box with this girl, you have to think one step ahead everywhere. Active mind, active feet.”

Virani: “I’m not sure I can outbox Chloe. She’s good.”

Thomas: “This is just to gain experience and comfort in this style, okay? No need to overdo it.”

Virani: “I don’t really like this style, you know.”

Thomas: “It’ll make you a better fighter in the long run Virani. That’s what matters.”

Virani thinks: This is hard. Much easier just to be on the attack and land big power punches.”

Virani v. Chloe 5

Virani comes out of the corner in the second round feeling slightly more confident. She keeps her feet moving and her hands active to keep Chloe guessing. The Super Lightweight champion has a harder time decoding this version of the Cobra and seems content to wait for her to make the first move.

Chloe ducks and sways to her left and Virani fires off a right hand that misses, but Virani uses her extended right hand to push on Chloe’s shoulder and keep her off balance. A punch was missed, but Virani has learned that even misses can be opportunities.

Virani v. Chloe 6

Annoyed by the tactic from the Featherweight, Chloe tries to reset and throw a right hand, but Virani is perfectly balanced and her left hook beats her to the punch with ease. “PAFF!” Solid contact is made with the Canadian Super Lightweight champion, who doesn’t fancy any more of those types of punches. Chloe mostly stays at range for the remainder round, content to get Virani’s timing down and learning respect for the Cobra’s famed left hook.

Virani v. Chloe 7

By the 4th round, Chloe is more than ready to go for it. She’s got the measure of Virani now. Though she was surprised to see Virani fight from outside, she’s now ready to go to work. She leans forward, drawing a jab from Virani that lands clean. Satisfied, Chloe leans in again, but loops an overhand right out of Virani’s range of Vision. Virani’s jab lands first, but a split second afterwards, Chloe’s overhand right lands. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that Chloe got the better end of the exchange.

Virani v. Chloe 8

Thomas: “You aren’t supposed to exchange with her Virani! I hope that taught you a lesson, because you lost that exchange one, bad!”

Virani thinks: If I take another punch like that, I’m going to be speaking French by the end of the session.

Chloe, realizing that she has landed a heavy punch, backs out for a moment before Virani gives a nod to continue. She might be a bit hurt, but she’s too proud to admit it.

Virani v. Chloe 8a

The tempo goes down a bit for the next few rounds. The fight becomes slower, more tactical and this is where Virani seems to find her rhythm. Chloe pressures her and lands decent punches, but Virani is able to handle the pressure well, blocking and countering with her own shots. Near the end of the session, Chloe tries to throw a right hand to the body, but Virani lowers her shoulder to block the incoming punch.

Thomas: “Nice work, V. You could have come over the top with your right hand too there.”

Virani thinks: Okay, I’m not perfect with this style, but I’m a lot more comfortable with it now. I think that Chloe took it easy on me after she landed that overhand right.

Virani v. Chloe 9

Thomas: “Okay ladies, time! Great work out. Chloe thanks for coming down to Toronto.”

Chloe: “Non problem! I was happy to help out my fellow champion!”

Virani: “I can see why you are Super Lightweight champion, Chloe! That style you have just works for you.”

Chloe: “It is not the prettiest style, but it works. Not as pretty as you, Virani.”

Virani: “Aww, thanks babe!”

Virani v. Chloe 10

Virani MacVicar
Virani MacVicar
Current Featherweight champion. A Canadian puncher known for her knockouts that has developed a more all-round style.