Camp Cobra

Virani and her team prepare for her big title fight

Film session

Part of any fight camp in this modern era is watching film of the upcoming opponent. Hee Jung is a bit of a different case, as despite being a veteran of many, many appearances in the ring, she only has a few fights in the last few years, and only three at Featherweight. However, they are three knockout victories.

Leading the session is the resident boxing nerd at MacVicar’s gym – Emma McGale. Fresh off her victory over Vicki Groves, Emma happily throws herself into studying The Empress. After Emma’s taken notes, she, Thomas and Virani meet to review the findings.

Virani: “Okay Emma, what did you learn about Hee Jung?”

Emma: “Well, my first observation is that she hasn’t really been tested since her comeback. Amy Rucker was not even near her level and she got destroyed. Yenifer Perez has the talent, but she’s not been the same since she moved to America and wanted to be more of an Instagram model than a boxer.  Hee Jung beat her in short order. Wendy Pozler wasn’t much of a challenge either.”

Virani: “Well, that’s going to change.”

Emma: “No doubt. I don’t think we can read too much into Hee Jung’s past. But what we can tell, is that she’s really a bit of a reactive fighter. She like to fight where her opponent is weakest, and she’s versatile enough that can work for her. She’s got fast hands, impeccable footwork, and I don’t think she’s actually gained power from her old days. Her three victories have been three very decisive knockouts. She’s not a one-punch KO threat, but she can wear you down and put you away.”

Virani: “What about her defence?”

Emma: “Very classical. Good head movement, moves her head when she throws punches and doesn’t get lazy. So she’s not that easy to hit clean. Not impossible, but difficult.”

Virani: “What’s your recommendation?”

Emma: “Fight like me. You are bigger and stronger, plus the you are the harder puncher. She’s old. Make it a tough, physical fight, push her around and make her uncomfortable. Trap her in corners and don’t be afraid to take one to land one of your own. I think she’ll wear down.”

Thomas: “I partially agree. I think fighting inside, she’ll expect and be prepared for. That’s why she has Carla Flores in her camp. But I think we do want to pace ourselves and take this deep into the later rounds. The Empress hasn’t been pushed in the late rounds in her comeback. I think we can really take it to her late and then come through with a stoppage or decision victory.”

Virani: “So, how do I approach the first few rounds?”

Thomas: “Sit on the counter, see if we can catch her early and then up the tempo throughout the fight.”

Virani: “Isn’t it dangerous to let her build a lead? I mean, I’m sure I can get the stoppage, but…”

Thomas: “Okay, maybe we do it in rounds 1-3, and don’t let her build a lead or momentum.”

Emma: “Why not just approach the fight as normal. Virani took it to Alesia for the first half of the fight, why not do the same?”

Thomas: “Because it’s not possible to keep that tempo. We learned that. Plus, she’ll expect it.”

Emma thinks: Why are we adjusting. We should make Hee Jung adjust to us…

Virani: “Well, maybe we can think about this more.”

Thomas: “I’ve already thought about this. We’re good. Trust me. I’ve brought you this far.”

Virani thinks: Did you get me this far or did I? I should probably just trust him. All game plans change anyway.

Virani: “Okay. Let’s do it. Let’s have the best training camp ever.”

The sparring

In contrast with Hee Jung’s high quality training partners, Thomas opts for something a little different, a pair of fighters that build Virani’s confidence. The first is a normal sparring partner for Virani, one that can do a pretty good job of aping The Empress’ style – Kasandra Sobieski. The other is a quick little Super Bantamweight Jessica Elliot. Aka. Ms. Thomas Nagy.

Jessica’s quickness does give Virani a decent test, making the Cobra chase her around the ring, and attacking off of her back foot, when Virani lands, it’s hard for the Bantamweight amateur to absorb it. Even in sparring, with Virani not giving 100%. It makes the young woman tentative, almost flighty in the ring.

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It’s not bad practice, per se, because it is making Virani work, but Jessica fights like she is almost scared of Virani. Not exactly something you want out of someone who is supposed to be aping your upcoming opponent. The rounds aren’t that competitive, to be clear.

Once Virani gets Jessica backing up, it’s not that pretty. Virani is just too skilled and gives Jessica looks that she just is not used to seeing from her usual opponents. By the end of some sessions, Jessica just covers up and seems to just want to survive.

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Ringside observers aren’t particularly impressed.

Emma: “I can give her better rounds than this, and I just fought.”

Thomas: “Thank you for volunteering, but it’s not necessary. I want Virani to be a confident challenger that comes in at full strength. No point having a sparring partner ring Virani’s bell before the big fight.”

A redheaded challenge

The redheaded Kasandra Sobieski, fresh off a victory in her last fight, is tasked to be the other main sparring partner. Tall and lanky, she doesn’t exactly resemble Hee Jung Park. Neither does she have the confidence of the South Korean champion.

Virani imposes her will onto Kasandra, claiming the middle of the ring and constantly pushing Kasandra towards the ropes. Some fighters would grit their teeth and endure in such a scenario. It is sparring after all and Virani is hardly punching with her full power. But even half power punches can overwhelm and after taking a somewhat stiff left hook from Virani, the Polish fighter just seems to want to survive.

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It’s all fun and games for the former Canadian champion, who is able to unlock all the tools in her offensive arsenal without any fear of getting caught by Kasandra. With the Pole’s defence being aided by her height and tall stance, Virani aims a bit lower. From an upright stance, Virani seems more likely to throw to the head than to the body, but Virani’s low, concealed uppercut lands as a surprise for Kasandra, who’s face shows her lack of enjoyment of being on the receiving end.

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The end of camp

While it might have been the most competitive sparring sessions in the world, it does leave Virani feeling quite confident for the upcoming matchup. Inspired by the photo they’ve seen from The Empress, the girls also get a post-sparring photo in, though they don’t look quite as enthused as the champion’s camp picture.

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Camp Empress
Hee Jung Park
Hee Jung Park
South Korean who is a legendary champion in multiple weight classes. She fights to secure her legacy in the sport.
Virani MacVicar
Virani MacVicar
Current Featherweight champion. A Canadian puncher known for her knockouts that has developed a more all-round style.