Warriors under fire

Chin checks and courage tests

Two elite Super Lightweights are working ahead of their American championship match on the East coast of the United States.

Having made the trip from San Francisco to Lightning Gym in Detroit, Chelsea Carter is about to face a test of her willpower.

Mercedes: “Alright pork chop. Ya ain’t gunna like what we be doin’ in trainin’. Ya ain’t gunna like yer sparrin’ partner either. Haha.”

Chelsea: “Why’s that?”

Mercedes: “In Taylor Grant, ya face da kind of chick who explodes in yer face. She does what ya do to others! There ain’t no way anyone can prevent her from landing them big punches, including you. Only way to prepare is practicin’ weatherin’ a storm.”

Sarit-ouch

The trainer introduces High Voltage to Sarita Waris, a proud peacock who difuses confidence and arrogance. That totally rubs Chelsea the wrong way but her coach doesn’t care.

Mercedes: “Sarita: Angry chihuahua mode. That suits ya! I want trouble. Yer best punches. Chelsea: Awww, she hurt ya with those cute pink gloves? Survive. Anythin’ goes. Dodge, squirm, push, hold. Ya gonna need dat with Taylor Grant.”

Before they start, the coach has a question.

Mercedes: “How much did you spend on that outfit?”

Chelsea grins: “We shall not speak of it.”

Given the freedom to go full force while Chelsea has to hold back, it’s inevitable that Sarita connects with some hurtful power shots in the ring. The worst one is a perfectly timed left cross from an angle. Bang on the chin.

How does the High Voltage react to a shock? She fights roughness with roughness by getting physical with the blonde. Being the most successful when she can close the gap and grab for control.

Mercedes: “That’s it!”

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Outgunned

A similar scene happens at Stitches gym in New York City. Sam Romero has Elsie Nadege, a genuine punching machine, lined up for Taylor Grant.

Sam: “While you’re not identical to Chelsea, you have things in common. Both explosive but also the type to get hit by a good puncher because your defenses suck.”

Before his girl can file a protest about her skills, he continues.

Sam: “I don’t wanna hear it. I want to boost your instinct to ride things out when under attack. Elsie, here, throws like no one else. Just like Chelsea, there’s no way you can prevent her from landing clean, so your job is to do whatever it takes to stay on your feet.”

Taylor: “That’s high-risk training.”

Sam: “I can always give you safe target practice in sparring and watch Chelsea bury you. My pay is the same. Your choice, Your Highness.”

Taylor: “So Elsie. But why do you always have to be so blunt?”

Sam: “Because I’m smarter than you.”

Verbally outgunned once more by her coach, the American faces the fire of the Cameroonian’s guns’ volleys in the ring. Generous punching from a woman who loves dishing it out. Taylor finds out, as Sophie Schumann did, that Elsie is nearly impossible to contain. So she gets hit hard.

Taylor inevitably gets hurt, a position in which she almost never found herself except when she fought Alesia Schumann. How does she react?

Actually by gritting her teeth and doing whatever it takes to stay on her feet. It’s more problematic with Elsie than with anyone else because the punching machine seemingly never runs out of ammunition. Peppermint has to resort to moving a lot with a high guard to make sure that the African doesn’t knock her on her butt.

Sam: “Far from perfect but that’s the spirit. Better absorb punches with your gloves than with your face!”

Ripe fruit

Ring Kings’ promotional machine goes “full blast” in the week prior to the fight. While the arena is already fully booked, they’re looking to make people buy the event on Star Sports 2 and Box TV.

A press conference with two stars is useful for that. Anita Martin, regional manager for Canada, plays the role of host to act as the face of the company in North America. A choice made to please by giving some spotlight.

Before the presser, Taylor tells Chelsea that if she makes any doping accusation, she will cancel the fight. The brunette tells her that she has nothing to worry about besides promoting the fight together.

Taylor: “Alright dawgs. I once said I wouldn’t go for an American title but I guess that only fools don’t change their minds. I’m number two in my division and dispatching the darling at number four will boost my resume. Make no mistake. I like Chelsea Carter but she’s a little green while I’m a fully grown fruit. Look at me. Smell me. I’m ripe. I’ll stop this little thing brutally before I can challenge Steffi Slater for the world title. It will be a bloody night in New York.”

Presser Taylor

Stepping stone

The champion gets her turn.

Chelsea: “I am very thankful that Taylor Grant accepted my challenge. It’s something special when someone with a big name is ready to step into the ring with you to become a stepping stone on your way to greatness. I’m not saying she’s a bad boxer. Actually excellent. But at the end of the day, who will be standing up? Me. Who will be on the canvas? Taylor Grant.”

Presser Chelsea

Steamy shots

The weigh-in event, held on the day before the fight, goes well. Chelsea and Taylor have no problem making the limit. Media and fans get the steamy photos they were looking for with a bonus: the two boxers posing side by side for one of the hottest promotional shots in women’s boxing history. Muscles and beauty on display.

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Retweeted by Ring Kings
Chelsea
Chelsea Carter
@chelseacarter
Are you ready for this? A big match with @taylorgrant for the American title. Watch it on Star Sports 2 to see me become one of the biggest stars of the game, bishes 🥊
New York City
Twitter for iPhone
86 replies 532 retweets
Retweeted by Ring Kings
Taylor
Taylor Grant
@taylorgrant
Enough fooling around. I’ll dog walk @chelseacarter to rewrite the script in the Super Lightweight division. No one’s stopping me, especially not this child.
New York City
Twitter for iPhone
101 replies 787 retweets

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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.