Imperial Akane

The German champion faces a stern test but reacts well

It’s fight time! We head to the Lanxess Arena in Cologne for the final match of the evening. An all-German affair.

We tune in on Box TV at around 23:00 with Final Bell executive and ring announcer Veronica Lillegard taking the spotlight.

Veronica: “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back for the MAIN EVENT of the evening! Ten rounds of boxing for the German championship in the Lightweight division. This bout is sponsored by the Bundeswehr and Sport Couture.”

Veronica: “Introducing to you first, fighting out of the blue corner, wearing black, white and red, and coached by Caspar Aach. Aged 25, she has a solid record made of 11 wins, four of them by way of knockout, and one loss. FROM BERLIN, THE CHALLENGER, LEYLA ‘THE VOLCANO’ ABDUUUUUUULLLLLLL!”

The fans go wild as the lovely Muslim boxer makes a cute pose.

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Veronica: “Her opponent across the ring fights out of the red corner. Wearing black and pink, she is trained by the legendary Regina Halmich. Aged 24, she has 10 wins, 8 of them by way of knockout, and 3 losses on record. She is the reigning AND defending Lightweight champion of Germany. FROM MUNICH, SHE’S AKANE ‘LITTLE STORM’ WATANAAAAABBBEEEEEEE!”

The audience gets even louder to cheer for the Japanese-born German champ.

Veronica: “IT’S TIME FOR VIOLENCE!”

That draws an even bigger reaction from the audience right before the fighters get to meet in the middle of the ring.

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The fighters touch gloves, return to their corners and hear the bell.

Fast champion

Akane comes out strongly in the first couple of minutes. Fast footwork, even faster handwork and creative movement across the board. Leyla remains cautious in this phase, aware of the champ’s explosive firepower. She gets caught multiple times while trying to figure out her opponent’s methods. Including at 1:34, when the redhead senses a jab coming, sidesteps and comes back in with an accurate right near the left eye.

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It’s a difficult start for the Muslim. She is more than willing to have a solid scrap but the adopted Bavarian is very active throughout Round 2. She throws punches in bunches and never stays anywhere for long. Only for as long as it’s needed to put black leather in the hijabi woman’s face.

Leyla thinks: “This chick’s a nightmare.”

Esther: “Watanabe scores once again with her left hook. We have to credit her for a high level of activity and ring IQ so far in this fight. The champion is doing well.”

Anna: “There’s a reason why we call her the Little Storm. She is hyperactive in the ring with blazing speed and power in both hands. Abdul is a talented boxer as well, but she hasn’t yet found her comfort zone in the face of a taller, faster fighter who doesn’t let her get close.”

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Black bread

Leyla thinks: “I’ll pay the price. Show me your hand and hit me if you like. I’ll get you later.”

The German Muslim eats her black bread with every intention of digesting information as it comes in. For her part, Akane is happy to serve a black leather dinner to the challenger. She moves fast and throws swift, penetrating punches that show how much of the Philly shell tactics she absorbed in training. The stance doesn’t seem to be a mystery to her anymore. Not even when it’s time to throw a tricky uppercut after faking that she would cover up to block a shot.

Ringside, two sisters are in awe.

Alesia: “So brilliant. So dynamic.”

Sophie: “Right? The way she moves is so gorgeous.”

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It’s one-way traffic when Akane has complete possession of the ring, well into the third round. Unable to match the defending champion’s speed, Leyla becomes very defensive. When a huge right cross comes her way, she leans to the left and ducks a punch that could make her head roll.

Esther: “Watanabe is in fantastic form! Even when she doesn’t land, her aggression looks very dangerous for the challenger. What do you reckon Abdul has to do?”

Anna: “Probably stretching the action as much as she can. Watanabe is very good at finishing opponents inside five rounds but her chief weakness is the chin. Abdul has to find a way to put red leather on it.”

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A little message

While most boxers would wonder what to do at this point, Leyla knows. Her Philly shell stance is ready-made for countering after the right cross. She leans upwards and lets her right hand fly as Akane finishes her motion with the right hand and as the left naturally drops after throwing it. PISH! Straight in the mouth.

Esther: “Abdul fires back! An accurate counter right that sends a serious message across!”

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This turns the tide. Leyla is encouraged by this first success after having struggled to make inroads. The challenger goes on the offensive and forces her way in against the champion, who loses generalship of the ring. Akane is very annoyed by the Berliner’s aggression, resorting to blocking and dodging to slow things down. Even when cornered, all she can do is bring her hands up to block a left hook.

Sophie: “Come on, Akane!”

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Mischief

The champ gets motivational talk from Regina between Rounds 3 and 4. She bounces back strongly in a more tactical engagement. The highlight of the round happens when the Japanese-born German fools Leyla expertly. In the middle of the ring, she steps back to look vulnerable, baiting the left hand. A split second later, she has already planted her feet down to deliver a cannonball of a right cross on the counterattack with a smile. PAFF.

Esther: “Watanabe scores! A clever fake prompted Abdul to attack, but she quickly paid the price for biting the bullet.”

Anna: “Watanabe isn’t just fast and explosive. She’s mischievous enough to fool you into thinking that your next punch will be decisive, right before scoring with her own.”

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Vary the pleasures

The curtain falls on Round 4, with Akane having carried everything so far. Anna’s unofficial scorecard makes it 40-36, and we go to the corners.

Regina: “Good work, babe. Don’t let up. You’ve seen that this chick is good on the counter. We don’t want to get suckerpunched. Keep moving, never repeat anything you do, and keep surprising her. Alright?”

Akane nods.

Go to war

Caspar: “Look. We’re down, but we’re not out.”

Leyla: “She’s really difficult to fight.”

Caspar: “I know, but I have the solution. There’s one thing you have that she doesn’t have: a chin. Bite on that mouthpiece and suck her in a trading game.”

Leyla: “Really?”

Caspar: “Do you doubt your ability to go to war after that fight with Anna Schwartz?”

Leyla: “No!”

Caspar: “Then, do it. Akane doesn’t have that great a chin. If you take a punch to give one, she’ll fall first. I know it’s painful, but it will make you win this fight.”

Leyla: “Alright. I’ll do it.”

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Leyla Abdul
Leyla Abdul
A Muslim boxer who doesn't mind going to war, works with the Philly shell and trades with anyone. A German Lightweight champion.