One way street

Yenifer Perez finally has wind in her sails after sending Kayleigh Parsons to the canvas last round. The Colombian has invested a lot of her energy to get this far, but she’s still relatively unmarked compared to her opponent.

For her part, Kayleigh is still trying to navigate her way through fighting with one eye badly compromised. In her career, she’s been hurt, but she’s never been in a situation just like this and she is adjusting on the fly.

Kayleigh drops back under pressure, ceding the ring to Yenifer. Feeling a bit more confident herself, ‘La Chica Feroz’ slips smartly to Kayleigh’s side and slamming home a lovely shot to the body, targeting the sweet spot – the liver.

Commentator: “Parsons is in trouble early here, taking punches from Yenifer Perez early the round. She doesn’t seem to be able to keep Yenifer at range again and the former champ is having her way some more.

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The traffic is only flowing in one direction, and it’s flowing in a way that Yenifer might have dreamed about last night. She dictates gracefully, getting Kayleigh to move to her music. Yenifer feints and fakes, getting Kayeigh to protect her vulnerable eye, and then using that to open up her other punches, including a crunching left hook that Kayleigh is just too slow to defend.

Commentator: “Parsons is really struggling here in the fifth round. Yenifer Perez seems to be able to do whatever she wants to Parsons now, and what she wants to do is punch Kayleigh Parsons in the head repeatedly. That is the goal of the sport after all.”

Yenifer thinks: Free chin check for you, English girl. Soon the bill is going to come due.

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The breather

With nothing better to do, Kayleigh tries to spoil the fight and stop Yenifer’s momentum. She manages to step forward and grab a hold of Yenifer, burying her head in a position where she can’t be hit by the Colombian. Yenifer probably could probably fight inside to try to land to the body, but she doesn’t feel the need – why waste energy fighting inside when she can land clean punches at will?

Commentator: “That might be Parsons’ best move of the round as she prevents any punches landing from Perez for at least a few moments.”

Kayleigh thinks: This sucks. I can beat this girl with two eyes, but, I’m not sure I can do it.

Yenifer thinks: Yes, girl, this is your only respite now. Soon, we’ll be back to me hurting you.

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Normal service resumes

Yenifer takes a little bit of a breather after the clinch, being a bit more patient with her punches. Yenifer moves well with her feet, ducking and weaving, making it difficult for Kayleigh to see her clearly. It’s a great display of skill from the Colombian, who proves to everyone at home that she has real talent in the ring.

Yenifer slips to the right, gets an angle that Kayleigh can’t quite see her from, and then unloads a punishing right hand that connects brilliantly to Kayleigh’s chin. The London fighter’s counter left hook is a day late and a dollar short.

Commentator: “You have to hand it to Perez, who has taken her opening and has run with it for all she is worth, landing again and again with eye catching power punches that leave little doubt as to the direction of this fight.”

Yenifer thinks: I respect your chin, but this was inevitable.

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Towards the end of the round, Kayleigh starts to find her feet just a little bit. Yenifer’s assault seems to slow down, whether it’s just from thrown so much (effective) leather in the round, or if Kayleigh is finally getting used to her impaired vision. Mostly Kayleigh works behind the jab, but a couple of them land with enough pop for Yenifer to take notice and for the crowd to react.

Commentator: “The hometown crowd is trying to will Parsons back into the fight, and though it will not be enough to take this round, you get the sense that the crowd sees where this fight is going too and is trying to do what it can to prevent it.”

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But the little bit of momentum is not enough for Kayleigh to build on, as Yenifer just avoids any major conflicts for the rest of the round. As the round ends, Yenifer strikes a confident pose, while Kayleigh unconsciously touches her wounded eye.

Kayleigh thinks: This eye isn’t going to get any better. I think this girl is slowing down, though. Unfortunately, she’s beating the hell out of me, and the more I throw, the more I open myself up for a punch I can’t see coming.

Yenifer thinks: How many more rounds can you last?

Victoria thinks: That eye looks worse and worse. I’m going to have to call the ring doc in for an opinion if it keeps swelling like that.

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Wave the white flag?

In the blue corner, it’s time for a serious talk.

Jim: “Babe, that eye looks terrible. You might have real damage to your eye– it’s time to stop this fight.”

Kayleigh: “Like hell you are!”

Jim: “Let’s be real – you can beat this girl at full strength but not like this.”

Kayleigh: “I’m learning how to do this. I’m not willing to give up. This fight isn’t over, it’s just halfway.”

Jim: “But it’s not worth it. People will understand if I stop it.”

Kayleigh: “I don’t care. I’m not losing my undefeated record because my husband stopped the fight. We’re on the same team.”

Jim: “Always. But I’m not letting my wife lose her full eyesight because of some stupid non-title fight either.”

Kayleigh thinks: I hate it when he is right.

Kayleigh: “One more round to prove I can do it. If the fight keeps going like this, you can stop it.”

Jim: “Promise?”

Kayleigh: “Yes.”

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Tough Trades
Kayleigh Parsons
Kayleigh Parsons
A confident Englishwoman with skills to match. Technically skilled with underrated power. Former Featherweight champion.
Yenifer Perez
Yenifer Perez
Current Super Featherweight champion. A Colombian who overcame a party heavy lifestyle to return to the top. A classic defensive boxer.