Physical Peach

After a back and forth opening, both fighters want to make an impact and take the lead in the middle rounds.

Emma thinks: She punches hard. But that’s it. I’ve been sparring with Virani for years. I can handle this chick.

Takara thinks: She’s strong, but I know my hands are dynamite. One taste and she’ll be on the floor.

Round 3

DING!

An aggressive Takara takes the middle of the ring right off the opening bell, forcing Emma to back off and be defensive. There’s no time to sneak inside, when your opponent is threatening to take your head off with her red gloves.

Takara is on target a decent amount, but never with the clean connection that she wants. She’s not able to find Emma’s chin, and any of her punches that do land are merely glancing blows as Emma avoids and leans away from inbound leather.

Emma thinks: This girl is such a headhunter. All I have to do is protect my head – she won’t throw to the body.

Laila: “Oshima is setting the pace, but like she has in some of her less impressive outings, the puncher has not been able to land that one punch that would really send a message to her opponent.”

As Takara’s flurry subsides, the Peach is the one that is able to get the effective offence for much of the third round. She works where she is best, using her strength in tight and overpowering Takara to create openings for land in narrow spaces. Takara finds that she has no answer for Emma. The best she can do is take a few punches and try to force a clinch. Strong as she is, Emma doesn’t allow clinches to happen easily.

At her best, Emma works Takara to the body, softening up the Japanese boxer with strong shots to the midsection.

Laila: “It’s not pretty or appropriately cinematic, but its effective. McGale is a demon when she gets in close with Oshima. Monique Deschamps is letting them fight inside and that is hugely important for McGale, who is winning this round comfortably.”

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Round 4

Emma’s not a one-trick pony though. Her best work may come from short distances, but as Takara opens herself to try to throw, Emma drops away and throws low counters to the midsection. Emma’s long experience in training with Virani is of great use as she has no trouble reading Takara’s intentions. She also knows that going to the body of a puncher can really make them less willing to throw punches, for fear of getting caught every time they throw.

A good example of this is midway through the round – as Takara misses with a long right hand that was more hopeful than anything, Emma steps into range with a long left hand to the body that makes Takara grunt. Emma then steps back and away from any further retribution from the Japanese fighter.

Laila: “McGale is putting points on the board and pain into the body of Takara. This has been quite a performance so far by Emma, after a rocky first round.”

Round 5

Physicality. Boxing is a physical sport, but Emma has learned how to use her physicality to her advantage.

With Takara now knowing that cannot stop Emma from getting in close, she is finding that her ability to get punches on target are being disrupted by little shoves, expertly delivered by ‘The Peach.’ What would have been a dangerous left hook, with one well timed punch turned shove, is simply turned into a flailing left hand. It’s a strong enough shove that Takara’s whole body is pushed backwards from the force of the push.

Emma thinks: She’s off balance, or otherwise this wouldn’t be so easy. Takara can punch, but she’s so one dimensional. I’m just better. More well rounded. More tools to use.

A desperate Takara can feel the rounds and momentum slipping away from her. This was supposed to be just a warmup fight for her, one that would allow her to get another knockout on her record.

Emma spots an opening after an exchange, ducking to her left and then shifting her weight to throw a rising left hook. Takara’s left hand reply is a day late and a dollar short.

PAFF!!

Laila: “Oh, a punishing left hook from McGale who caught Takara clean on the chin and nearly spun her head right around. The Canadian is bossing this fight at the moment. She’s landed by far the better of the punches, even against the noted power of ‘The Love Muffin.'”

That blow shakes Takara for a moment, but there’s not enough of a breakthrough for Emma to really take advantage.

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DING! End of Round 5.

At the end of the round, a frustrated Takara squares up with Emma as she tries to make her way to her corner. Preferring not to go around her adversary, she gets in Emma’s face.

Takara: “Get out of my way.”

Emma: “You can’t make me do anything.”

Monique: “Ladies, to your corners. Tout de suite!”

Sandra thinks: Exactly what I want to see from Emma. She can be a nice girl, but I need the confidence in the ring.

The Halfway point

Laila: “McGale has reeled off four straight rounds to take the lead on my scorecard. Her work in close has been undeniable and while it’s hardly been a rout, and Oshima is clearly in this, the more effective work has all been McGale’s. Let’s go to the corners.”

Takara’s Corner

Clifford: “Are you still falling for this mind game shit? You are letting her in your head and its not helping you.”

Takara: “The ref won’t break it up!”

Clifford: “You have to earn those breaks. You haven’t adapted. You are letting her be first and she’s able to dictate where the fight is going. Even inside, all you have to do is create space for your punches and throw, but you are too defensive. Let your hands go.”

Takara: “She’s crowding me. Always an elbow or a shoulder in the way.”

Clifford: “You can push back. The ref is letting you fight. So fight!”

Emma’s Corner

Sandra: “I’m loving it, Peach. You are kicking her butt and she knows it.”

Emma: “Thanks coach.”

Sandra: “That’s all the praise you get for now until the fight is done, because this girl is still dangerous. Let’s pick up the intensity, shall we? Let’s see if we can really hurt this girl. The work you’ve done to the body is paying off, but her weakness has always been her chin – let’s test it if we can. Look body, go head.”

Emma: “Uppercuts?”

Sandra: “Whatever you think works. Hit that chin and Takara will go down.”

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Emma McGale
Emma McGale
A self admitted boxing nerd and friend of Virani. Especially powerful and dangerous working from in close Super Featherweight contender.