Leather surgeon and nutritionist

Chelsea and Juana promise each other a health intervention

We are going live in Tijuana, with a telecast about to go underway on the TUDN channel for Chelsea Carter’s match against Juana Sánchez.

Ring announcer Luis Secada is at the helm.

Luis: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the Arena de Combate Industrial for the MAIN EVENT of the evening. 10 rounds of boxing, three minutes each, between two of the finest boxers in the Lightweight division.”

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Weaponising

In the hour that preceded, the fighters got ready in their dressing rooms. In Chelsea’s, Mercedes applied expertise that is very rare in the boxing world. That of a coach who tapes her boxer’s hands.

What did she do exactly? Carefully wrapping up hands with layers of white gauze. It achieves three missions. First, securing the wrist so that it doesn’t move too much when landing a punch. Second, it provides a layer of protection to the small bones and joints of the hand even before the glove comes into play. Third, the added volume makes the fist snug inside the glove.

Together, these three factors protect the hand and weaponise it. The boxer can throw punches repeatedly with more confidence than if their knuckles were bare. The person receiving the punches does benefit from a small protection against cuts and bruises, but harder, faster shots from the puncher make the squared circle a more dangerous space.

Mercedes: “How do they feel?”

Chelsea: “Good.”

Next to them, world champion Alesia Schumann is pacing. She’s always a bit nervous when attending a friend’s fight. While she stepped in as a one-time coach in Chelsea’s last big fight, this time she is only watching. Being 100% powerless to influence the course of action adds stress.

Mercedes: “Alrighty then. Next step: you change and we be puttin’ on the gloves.”

Her cousin does that, and they do a little pad work as a warm-up. Gotta break a sweat to be fully ready when the bell rings. No one wants to get caught being too cold when the action begins.

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Fun fun

In the other dressing room, coach Nina Franco is gloving up her protégée, Juana Sánchez. Tapes are already done. She slips on the left glove, ties the laces and wraps up the cuff with white tape. The wrapping has to be compact without being too tight, which would be have an impact on comfort and blood circulation.

The trainer checks if it’s a good fit at wrist level.

Nina: “This good?”

Juana smiles: “Yes!”

Nina: “Tonight’s a special night for us. A gringa is in town and we can make a statement by knocking her lights out.”

Juana: “I know. This will be fun.”

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Made in Hell

The crowd has waited long enough for this fight. Proceedings are about to start.

Luis: “Please welcome Chelsea Carter!”

The American daredevil gets past the entrance and drape to the sound of Made in Hell, by Rob Halford, her favourite metal singer. High Voltage gets both applause and jeers as a reception, but she doesn’t let that last part bother her. She defiantly gestures and sings the lyrics of the song.

Chelsea: “Gonna feed on any negative energy they throw at me. I’m not scared.”

The world’s a stage that’s waiting for its bad ass to get kicked
And we’re all on the road to hell and that’s Route 666

Hell, we’re born to raise some hell
Hell, we’re gonna raise some hell

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Glamour chick

Luis: “Now please welcome Juana Sánchez!”

The Mexican has a brisk walk to the ring, with a smile on her face, to the sound of Thunderstruck, by AC/DC.

She climbs on the ring, but stops by the ropes and poses for the cameras. Her fans respond with loud cheers. That’s almost everyone in the arena.

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Lucky 13

Luis: “Introducing first, and fighting out of the red corner. Wearing red and black. She is trained in by her cousin Mercedes Carter. Aged 23, she boasts a record of 5 wins and one loss, with 3 wins by way of knockout. She brings high tension to the ring. The number 13 contender in the Lightweight division. From San Francisco, California, she is CHELSEA ‘HIGH VOLTAGE’ CARTER!”

The mix of cheers and jeers resumes for the American. She meets it with a defiant yet appealing bow.

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Driving them wild

Luis: “Her opponent across the ring fights out of the blue corner. She is wearing taupe, pink and red. She is trained by Nina Franco. Aged 22, she has a PERFECT record with 10 wins, 6 of them coming by way of knockout. Ranked number 8 by BOX! Magazine, she has dynamite fists. From TIJUANA, she is Juana ‘Poisonous Flower’ Sáááánnnnnnnchezzzzzzzz!”

The crowd lifts the roof with applause and shouts as the local fave dances a few steps in the middle of the ring.

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Promises

Luis: “The third person in the ring, in charge of the action when the bell rings, is referee Iker Tenorio.”

Iker: “Come over here, ladies. We went over the unified rules in the dressing rooms. This fight is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds. There is no three-knockdown rule. There is no standing eight-count. You cannot be saved by the bell in any round. In case of an accidental headbutt after Round 4, we go to the scorecards. If you knock your opponent down, you have to go to a neutral corner before I start a count. If you foul intentionally, I will deduct a point. The second time, you’re disqualified. Protect yourself at all times. Obey my command at all times. Give us a good, hard fight. Touch ’em up.”

The atmosphere is tense as coaches and boxers observe each other during the ritual. The Latina is first to talk.

Juana: “Tomorrow’s headline: plastic chick got leather surgery.”

Chelsea: “I’ll feed it to you with the left and right. You’re in for a balanced diet.”

The touch is polite, but no more. Mutually murderous eyes promise savagery.

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The two camps go back to their corners and the contestants get their mouthpieces, getting ready for the opening bell.

Mercedes: “Ya play yer game in there, pork chop. Start disciplined from a distance to get familiar with her moves. We be takin’ it from there.”

Chelsea nods twice before taking in her mouthpiece.

Nina: “Pick your spots and explode. I want her to feel those hands in the first three minutes. Everyone has a plan until they get hit. That’s how we work here.”

Juana: “She’s in for it.”

Chelsea Carter
Chelsea Carter
Former Super Lightweight world champion. A daredevil from San Francisco who follows the footsteps of her idol Alesia Schumann.
Juana Sánchez
A Mexican puncher who carries power in both hands and never backs down. Good luck if you are to face her.