Iceberg and retirement

Esther: “We enter Round 5. Melanie Spitzer hit Anna Schwartz with heavy leather in the last two rounds and Schwartz has to find a way to force her back if only to earn points.”

Rebecca: “Box!”

The Ice Queen wants to make her statement as early as possible. The contestants meet in the middle of the ring and circle a bit before she throws a full-range, full-extension right hand that leaves Melanie absolutely no time to react. Black leather on the cheek faster than she can say “hit me”.

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The tip

Anna tags her a few more times within two seconds to say: I’m still there and you’re in a fight.

Melanie thinks: “Right. I can handle this.”

Hand Grenades takes the punches and turns on the acting mode. She looks vulnerable although she isn’t shaken at all. Her goal is to bait Anna to attack so she can land her biggest punch, the right hand, on the counter. One can hurt. A few can do a lot of damage. More than that might be enough for a knockout.

The platinum blonde doesn’t mind eating a couple of additional shots to prompt Anna to throw a straight right hand. When it comes out, she steps back and makes a huge twisting motion with her upper body to send out a looping overhand right that comes down to meet Anna’s chin. PISH!

Esther: “A huuuge right hand from Spitzer, whose power cannot be doubt and is put on display for all of us to appreciate. This is a very hard punch on the tip of the chin. I’d be surprised if Schwartz wasn’t hurt by it.”

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Hurt? More like punch drunk. It’s the extra beer or tequila shot you shouldn’t have guzzled just to show that you can take it. Anna stumbles around Melanie, who chooses to evaluate the situation instead of throwing punches carelessly. The punch that connects is more powerful than the three that miss. At least in boxing.

Esther: “Schwartz is definitely hurting! I’m not sure she can stay competitive for much longer after eating that right hand from Spitzer.”

The TV analyst may know a thing or two about boxing since she won five world championships. Her prognosis is correct, but there’s even more.

Anna thinks: “I don’t want this anymore.”

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Full impact

Boxing being the brutal sport that it is, mental defeat automatically spells physical defeat. Anna backs up as quickly as she can to delay the action. Melanie knows that she’s the hunter who just shot her prey. All she needs is another bullet or two to finish the job.

The woman in pink and white goes in with every intention to throw her lethal right hand once more. That’s only met with a half-hearted counterattack that has no chance to land. The girl from Magdeburg connects once again with Anna’s chin, a punch that forces her head to turn around, with a cloud of sweat flying from her face and hair.

Esther: “I think that the fat lady is singing. Schwartz is in no position to win this fight with more than two minutes and 30 seconds to go.”

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The ship sinks

Esther is correct again. Anna loses her balance in the corner, with her knees giving in and her body falling down halfway for a “sitting” position. She’s sinking in the corner.

Once again, Melanie doesn’t immediately throw a punch. She waits a second so she can put herself in the best position before launching another grenade. By the time it’s obvious enough that Anna can’t fight back, Rebecca yells “STOP!” but it’s already too late. The heavy right hand comes with, faces no resistance whatsoever, and cracks the chin one more time. PAFF.

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While Melanie did nothing wrong – it’s a fight, not a Saturday night dance – the referee’s primary concern is Anna’s health. She storms the scene, pushes Melanie with enough force to make her fall on her back, and throws herself onto Anna to protect her from further harm.

Rebecca: “It’s over now. I got you.”

The Ice Queen is hurt and a little confused, but conscious enough to be heartened by the ref’s physical presence, which means no more punches in the face.

Melanie was never pushed this hard by a ref before, but she raises her arms with a big smile because she knows this means victory.

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Worries

There are mixed reactions across the arena. Some gasp. Others cheer for Melanie. Others are worried about Anna’s state.

One woman who is quick to react is Alesia Schumann. She honours her reputation by getting into the ring without letting anyone standing in the way to get to her loved one. Anna is her girlfriend, and you can bet your own ass that she cares. Maxim also rushes to Anna. Along with Rebecca, they give the downed fighter the time she needs to get back to her feet. She gets a round of applause when walking back to the red corner.

Ally won’t ask a cheesy question such as “are you okay?” because it’s only too obvious that her girlfriend is not feeling great. Defeat in sports is already disappointing. Going after a dream and hitting an iceberg is hardly the result anyone would be after.

Alesia: “I’m so sorry. I was hoping for a better ending. I love you, Anna.”

Anna: “Love you too.”

Maxim: “Take your time. We’ll see the doc for the mandatory check-up later. We all love you, kid. So sorry that this happened.”

Rebecca: “You’re in good hands. I’ll let them take care of you.”

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Freeze

Melanie wants to check out how her defeated opponent is doing, but she meets resistance in the middle of the ring.

Sophie: “Freeze! You’re not getting any closer.”

Melanie: “But…”

Sophie: “No. You could have held back when she was going down, and I won’t hold back on you if you take one more step.”

The winner chooses not to challenge it. If the new Top 10 fighter has one skill, it is intimidating people.

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New champion

Melanie is announced as the new German Super Lightweight champion, with predecessor Alesia handing over the belt. Her record moves up to 7 KO wins and 2 defeats. Anna’s drops to 15 wins and 7 losses.

Esther: “I’m with Melanie Spitzer, the new champion. Congratulations. How are you feeling?”

Melanie: “You know the sport, Esther. Winning a title you’ve been after is the best feeling. I’m ecstatic! I showed up and performed to the best of my ability against Anna. I know it’s a disappointing result for her so I won’t rub it in.”

Esther: “The decisive moment in this fight?”

Melanie: “Ahead of Round 3, I was told to attack more. I dropped my respect, let my hands go and you saw what happened. My power, speed and technique are too much for a lot of women.”

Esther: “Your ambitions now?”

Melanie: “Alesia Schumann is in this ring with us. I want her as soon as possible. Let’s put both our belts on the line for a fight.”

The TV analyst turns to the Diva.

Alesia: “Melanie has to understand that I already have plans, with negotiations in progress. I’m not dropping everything for her tonight. However, I’ll get to her. I want the German belt back.”

Melanie: “Fair enough.”

Alesia thinks: “Gonna break your face.”

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Retirement

Esther: “You heard it. These two want to face each other. I am now next to Anna Schwartz. First, sorry for the loss. What is your state of mind now?”

Anna: “I have an announcement. I am retiring as a professional boxer.”

This one spreads disbelief across the arena.

Anna: “I spoke with my girlfriend Alesia and my coach Maxim before this fight, and I made it clear that I could retire if I lost. Melanie beat me down tonight, and I want out. I proved that I could be a credible boxer, but fell short of a title. That’s sport. Not everyone can be a champion. I just want a safer job in the future after enduring 22 fights and thousands of punches. Our bosses at Box TV said they’ll offer a full-time contract when I’d retire. I’d like to follow up on that.”

It takes only a minute before Anna’s phone, in the locker room, receives a text from the network’s boss to confirm that they’ll do it. They have plans for her.

Anna: “As for the decision itself? You’ll accept it if you’re a real friend or fan of mine. Respect me. Just because I’m in the public eye doesn’t mean I’m a piece of meat to butcher for anyone’s consumption.”

To her surprise, she gets unanimous applause. On the other hand, her girlfriend Alesia is breaking down. She can’t fight back the tears.

Anna: “Thanks to all those who supported me through the years, especially in the hardest times. That’s what I wanna say.”

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Heartbroken Alesia

The next hours are sad and confusing for the Schwartz camp. Hopes of winning a title were dashed. Maxim and Anna have their moment in the locker room, knowing that it’s the end of their professional relationship. They swear to remain friends.

Anna herself is 100% ready to live with her decision, but Alesia takes the biggest emotional hit. She never wanted her girlfriend to go out on a devastating knockout defeat. Empathy can make you feel bad even when your loved ones accept fate.

The couple sits down on the bed.

Anna: “My love. Let it go. I’ll enjoy doing TV and being with you means the world to me. If I have you, nothing else matters.”

Alesia: “You have me. Anyone else can die as long as I have you.”

The Diva can’t help it. She breaks down for a second time.

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They comfort each other as well as they can after shutting the lights. An exhausted Anna falls asleep first, feeling safe in Ally’s arms.

Her girlfriend can only enter dreamland after a final reflection.

“No one gets away with this. When I’ll face Melanie? I’ll break her face.”

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