Shit disturbers

Alesia and Chloé play rough in Round 1

Round 1 has started between Alesia Schumann and Chloé Potvin in Berlin. It’s the Super Lightweight championship match that we have been waiting for.

The section of ultras who support Alesia get going as soon as the referee has said “box”. It’s about a dozen people, but their repeated three bangs on drums and “A-LE-SIA” shout create atmosphere in the arena. It makes the place the Bavarian’s home away from Munich.

After a few tentative seconds, Chloé makes a daring move by taking a big swing with the left uppercut in an effort to surprise the Diva. Alert on her toes and wrapped in the Philly shell, the world champion takes a step back and leans away from a powerful punch that would have hurt, had it been on target.

Esther: “Someone came here with bad intentions but Schumann wasn’t caught napping. Potvin will have to keep the blanket in a drawer because she didn’t put her to sleep with an early one-punch knockout.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 1-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 1-2

Keeping the lid on

It soon becomes obvious that two experienced contestants will not give each other an inch. They engage, but only on their terms, and deny each other a clear scoring opportunity.

That becomes visible to the audience seconds later. Oiseau de malheur throws a couple of jabs upstairs to set up a right hand to the body. The German blocks the two head shots with her open right hand, a classic defense against the jab. When the Québécoise swings for the right, the champion comes in, twists and grabs her with the left arm to control the motion and prevent the blow from being dangerous.

Vanessa: “Ref! She’s cheating!”

Rebecca thinks: “Nope. Just control tactics.”

Chloé thinks: “Shut up, Vanessa. I’ll handle her myself.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 2-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 2-2

Animal kingdom

Chloé totally knows what’s going on. The Diva in front of her likes to use every trick in the book to slow you down, like a spider that lays down a web to catch you into its net. The challenger has to find a way to come close without getting stuck, which slows down the pace instead of setting it to “fast”.

The local fighter circles and dumps the burden of attacking on the shoulders of the visitor. If you want to get a hold of the champion, you have to come and get her. She won’t offer herself to satisfy your desires.

Some jostling ensues until Alesia has Chloé lined up against her will. The Canadian looks to throw a left to the body but the German leans out of range to her left and smacks her with a lead right hand. The crowd cheers.

Esther: “Schumann is first to score with a clean shot. As evasive as a fish, as slippery as a salamander, and effective as a puncher.”

Anna: “The animal kingdom finds itself in Alesia. She plays a game of position, with timing, to hit without getting hit.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 3-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 3-2

Making jam

The brunette stops attacking with less than a minute gone into the fight.

Chloé thinks: “Two can play that little game. I’ll draw you in.”

A few seconds of circling, going back and forth without throwing meaningful leather follow. The action goes back to the middle of the ring with the challenger wanting something else than walking into punches.

When she finally gets Alesia to take the initiative and throw a punch, unprovoked, she can change the tone. Ally motions for another straight right hand but Chloé dives in while tightening her shoulders. The upper arm collides with the Queen of Uppercuts’ forearm for an effective block.

Esther: “Potvin hasn’t said a word about previous tactics, but she pays back in kind! Lowering her centre of gravity and shoving Schumann while she attempts to throw a right hand.”

Anna: “That’s the mark of a seasoned veteran with spicy methods, Esther. The challenger knows better than to complain to a referee. She injects a dose of ‘realism’ into her game to match the champion’s approach. I like how Rebecca Linden stays put as there is no clear foul.”

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Precision

The woman in blue and silver uses this moment to change the flow of the action. She throws flurries in a sudden burst of activity. This surprises Alesia, who falls back on the defensive. As soon as she has the chance, Chloé alternates between upstairs and downstairs to force an opening. She gets it near the mid-point of the round. The blonde is attempting to block but the Québécoise slips in a left to the stomach.

Esther: “Accurate work from Potvin, who threads the needle to the body. She found a small hole into a tight defense.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 5-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 5-2

Grumpy coach

Back to square one for the Diva. Wrestling control away from this tough-as-nails opponent might take some time. “I’ll do what it takes. We got 10 rounds.”

When the brunette finishes a combo with her right hand, Ally surges with a fake left hook that is, in fact, a stiff arm to block the punching motion. It stops Chloé in her tracks.

Vanessa: “Ref! Dirty tactics again!”

Esther: “Have you ever had that moment when someone rubbed you the wrong way? That’s Potvin’s problem now. An arm rub on the chin and in the upper chest to prevent violence. And she doesn’t like it.”

Anna: “I also have a feeling that her corner doesn’t like this. What did she expect? A bag that stays there to get hit? You only get those in the gym.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 6-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 6-2

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 6-3

It’s a small move that recaptures momentum, which now favours the defending champion. With the crowd still making much noise, she slips, leans left and right, avoids shots and stays in control of the action. Until she has Chloé lined up for a clean hit into the final minute of the round.

With the blonde twisting and turning like a pretzel, Chloé has a moment of confusion. She tries to throw the left hand while she should go for the right. Ally takes advantage of it to land a solid left hook off the ropes. Pish!

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 7-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 7-2

Hunting the hunter

This round remains a close affair until the final stretch. Chloé falls back in a hurry while Alesia wants to hunt her down to score the punch that will clinch points. The challenger leans back to the right to invite an attack. The blonde comes in with a right hand that should normally give her what she’s looking for. The advance is a mistake. Chloé lands on her back foot and twists her torso to unleash a straight right that lands in the middle of her face. PAFF!

Esther: “There you have it! Potvin scores with a powerful back hand for the most meaningful punch of the round! She baited Schumann and reaped the rewards.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 8-1

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 8-2

Alesia thinks: “Fuck. Another opening round dropped.”

The champion refuses major engagements for the final 10 seconds and the bell rings. The two ladies go back to their corners.

Open fire

Regina: “Sit down. Ok. I think she got this round. Well played most of the way, but she succeeded with that little bait at the end. I know that we tend to take it slowly but I want full throttle from the second round. I want to see you fight like a champion now. This chick’s having her 30th fight, she scored 18 knockouts already. We can’t afford to give her anything.”

Alesia: “Yes. You’ll have it.”

Regina: “Open fire! I want clean, effective punching.”

Ally nods.

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 9-regina

Shut it

Vanessa: “Alright girl. Listen to me. Good start. See? There’s nothing to fear against her. She’s a solid champion but you’ve got the experience, the tactical ability and power to face her. Just let it flow. Do whatever it takes, and don’t be afraid of grabbing her when needed. No one will care if we get the W and the fucking belt.”

Chloé: “Yeah. But do me a favor.”

Vanessa: “What’s that?”

Chloé: “Shut the fuck up with the ref because bitching at Rebecca doesn’t help me.”

The fighter gets a blank stare.

Chloé: “You heard me. Help me to win. Don’t undermine my work.”

Vanessa: “Erm. I’ll try.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 9-vanessa

Esther: “Three minutes gone already. Everyone’s got one more wrinkle and gray hair. What is your spin on the first round?”

Anna: “It was competent boxing from two women in their prime. Something you have to cherish as a fan of the sport. I give the points to Potvin for scoring with that howitzer of a right hand, her best punch, late in proceedings. However, you should buckle up because these two fighting machines are set to deliver performances.”

Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin 9-anna

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Alesia Schumann Chloé Potvin Rounds 2-4
Alesia Schumann
Alesia Schumann
Super Lightweight champion of the world, German champion and one of the pound for pound best. The Diva is known for her tactical strength and durability.
Chloé Potvin
CHLOÉ POTVIN
A Québec City fighter who follows the footsteps of many celebrated local boxers. A tough customer and contender in the Super Lightweight division.