Pork chop the brave

A resurgent Chelsea produces a stunning comeback in Round 6.

The bell rings in Tijuana and Juana Sánchez springs out of her corner to attack. She wants an early clean finish to claim a signature win against the American prospect who is in front of her.

Chelsea signals polite disagreement with that plan. When red Reyes gloves come flying, High Voltage settles down and moves to avoid them. The occasional leather slides against her skin, but no more. The Frisco girl does enough to make the violence-loaded fists miss.

Nearly 20 seconds into the round, Juana fakes the right hand and pumps out a jab, making Chelsea lean back on the right to make it flow past her left eye.

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My terms

Juana: “Come on, girl. Let’s fight!”

Chelsea thinks: “We’ll fight. On my terms.”

High Voltage shows a full charge of defense in the face of Juana’s repeated attempts at violating her face with her gloved hands. She works patiently to stay within range without getting struck. With the occasional jab or flurry to keep her Mexican opponent’s guard busy so she can’t bully her into submission.

Commentator: “I believe that Carter is afraid of Sánchez’ firepower. It must be why she refuses to trade now.”

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The barrage starts

Patience is a virtue, especially when coupled with courage. An overeager Poisonous Flower finds out why nearly halfway into the round, when Chelsea’s almost silent guns start firing. Juana finishes a combo with a left hook and the Californian hits back with a sharp right hand. The Mexican tries to slip away but she doesn’t have the right momentum to defend. A red glove paffens the tip of her chin.

Mercedes: “Dats it! Counter!”

Alesia: “Come on, girl! Show us what you’re made of!”

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What follows, in the next 30 seconds, is methodical work from Chelsea to fend off dangerous attacks and unleash fast combos aimed at destabilising the girl in taupe and pink. The counters don’t land clean, but they land to sap the attacker’s energy.

Chelsea finally gets her break when Juana gets a little more desperate to score big shots to create a knockdown situation. The Mexican throws her jab enough force and carelessness to be wide open for the counter. This invites the American to thrust herself inside and dig in with a left hook. Her Paffen glove connects with the ribs that are close to the liver. Juana grunts.

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The rocket

Pain spreads through an organ that wasn’t conceived to take hits. Juana stumbles back in an attempt to escape. This gives Chelsea the green light to attack after nearly two minutes of conservative tactics. She pursues the other brunette and unloads a nasty delivery of leather, with a surging rocket of a right hand.

PISH! The most powerful punch of the fight has landed, sending Juana’s entire body flying backwards. “Oh’s” emerge from the audience.

Alesia: “YAS!”

Mercedes: “Nailed her!”

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The backwards and downwards motion is unstoppable. Juana has been swept off her feet, and she crashes on her back for an audible “thud” on the canvas. Another ugly grunt comes out of her, and the crowd is shocked.

Commentator: “Sánchez goes down for the second time in the fight! She attacked recklessly and the American punished her ruthlessly for it. Carter may have ended the fight with a timely left hook to the liver and a monstrous right hand upstairs.”

Chelsea: “Did you see that? Haha!”

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Two-way courage

The San Franciscan goes to a neutral corner and watches the next scene with a smile.

The ref kneels in front of Juana with every intention to give her a count, ready to go to 10 to give her every chance to get up.

Iker: “One… two… three…”

A groaning Juana picks herself off the canvas and stumbles forward, on her knees.

Iker: “Four… five… six…”

Chelsea thinks: “She’ll get up. What a courageous pest, after taking that knockdown.”

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Iker: “Seven… eight…”

The Latina is on her feet.

Iker: “Nine… ready to continue?”

She brings her gloves up and nods.

Iker: “Box!”

Not so fast, gringa

Chelsea throws herself forward to attack, making Juana cover up and throw the occasional jab. The hometown girl circles, defends and throws just enough punches to signal that she is very much alive and looking to buy time.

Chelsea thinks: “Alright. Patience. I’m not going to make her mistakes. Injured animals are dangerous.”

This caution gives Juana the chance to recharge a depleted battery. She still looks in pain, but absolutely willing to go to war to ensure her survival.

Having recovered her spirits, the younger brunette goes back to a smarter brand of boxing to bide her time. She pump fakes the right cross, followed by a feint for the left to bait the counter. Chelsea obliges by opening up for an overhand right, making Juana unleash a devil of a left hook. The padding of her glove gets crushed and sandwiched between her knuckles and the American’s chin. PISH!

Commentator: “She’s doing it! The adorable Juana Sánchez is surviving a scary knockdown and giving Carter the business back! Grande!”

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Juana thinks: “Go away, girl. I need time.”

The stark warning works. With her had spinning after taking a clean hit on the tip of the chin, Chelsea figures that it’s a terrible idea to insist on attacking at this point. The Mexican still has enough in the tank to hit dangerously, and it would be stupid to throw away a 10-8 round when there is plenty of time ahead to clinch a win.

The last 30 seconds of the round are more quiet. The boxers don’t take a break, but they throw shots without much intention, both wishing to hear the bell and see their coaches for the road ahead.

Ding. The crowd applauds Juana for having made it to the bell on her feet.

Commentator: “Another spectacular round is over and the contestants will be happy to sit down after trading bombs. It’s a close fight and I’m sure we haven’t seen the last knockdown yet. These two women are as explosive as missiles.”

Fight like hell

Juana: “Dammit, coach! She wasn’t supposed to be this tough.”

Nina: “What did you expect? That she’d come here just to kneel before anyone? I’m still mad at you for not watching her past footage.”

Juana: “Well, what do I do now?”

Nina: “You fight like hell, chica! That’s how you win in boxing! You scared her with that comeback in the last minute, and she didn’t want to mix it up with you because she can’t handle it. MIX IT UP! I WANT INTENSITY.”

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Work them pads

Mercedes: “Good job, pork chop! Ya dropped her again, and ya can do it again!”

Chelsea: “Should I take the body again?”

Mercedes: “Yes. Dat left hook was money in the bank, and ya can cash out on it. But don’t just throw once. I want combos. Just like we do on them pads, ya swing yer weight starting from the legs and put everything in yer fists downstairs, then come back upstairs.”

Chelsea: “I’ll turn her into pads.”

Mercedes: “Yes. Now don’t be reckless. Work them pads.”

The fighter smiles and nods.

Iker: “Seconds out!”

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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.