Don’t mess with McGale

Emma McGale revels in the Spotlight after her victory

The first order of business after a knockout is looking after the downed fighter. In this case there is legitimate concern over Takara Oshima, having been brutally knocked out twice in 2022. Takara does eventually come around, and with the assistance of the ring doctor, she is helped to a sitting position.

Ring doctor: “That’s as clear of a concussion as I’ve ever seen. I want her to get a scan at the hospital, ASAP.”

Takara: “Just let me leave under my own power.”

Clifford: “Take your time.”

Takara: “I will.”

Clifford: “Do you regret your decision to go back out there for the seventh? We both knew what would happen.”

Takara: “I chose my own end. That’s all I wanted.”

Across the ring, a much happier conversation is taking place between coach and boxer.

Sandra: “You are going to take years off my life just being in your corner. Good win, great knockout. I could have lived without you getting hurt by that right hand, though.”

Emma: “I paid her back for hurting me.”

Sandra: “I appreciate that you gave me a front row seek to your knockout. Thoughtful.”

Emma: “She was really out cold there, wasn’t she?”

Sandra: “Girl, she was out from that right hand and then you clocked her again.”

Emma: “It was a legal punch.”

Sandra: “Don’t think I’m disapproving at all. I think you should have hit her again, if you had the chance. Fuck mercy. This is a boxing ring. In these ropes you have to be a savage, and you always have been. It’s one reason I like you. Good win, Emma McGale.”

Emma: “Thank you for believing in me, coach.”

As Takara is being helped from the ring, Emma positions herself in front of the Japanese woman so that they can have a post fight chat.

Emma: “Hey, wait, Takara!”

Takara pauses for a moment and then walks unsteadily to Emma.

Emma thinks: She still looks out of it.

Emma: “Glad to see you are okay. They taking you to hospital?”

Takara: “Yeah. I went out there, so I need a checkup. One question – how the fuck are you 12 and 6?”

Emma: “Bad matchmaking, bad coaching and no confidence. It was a bad combination.”

Takara: “Gotcha. Well you seem like you are on your way now. Congrats.”

Emma: “Wasn’t easy. Your punches are like kicks from a mule.”

Takara: “We’re worth much when you were always pushing me around the ring like I was a small child. It’s exhausting fighting you. Look, I’ve got to go. Congrats again.”

Though the result is mostly in the books, there’s still the matter of announcing it officially. Emma’s alone in the ring with Monique Deschamps to get her arm raised.

Ring announcer: “Ladies and gentlemen, this stunning bout comes to a dramatic ending at 49 seconds of Round 7. Referee Victoria James stops the fight with one fighter no longer able to defend herself. Therefore your winner, by knockout is Emma ‘The Peach’ McGale.”

Emma strikes a gleeful pose as her arm is officially raised.

Laila: “A happy winner is saluted by a home crowd. It’s going to be interesting to see what is next for Emma McGale after this stunning victory. I’ll be sure to ask her shortly!”

Ambitions

Laila: “I am here with the victor tonight, Emma McGale. Emma, you came into this fight as a major underdog, but you looked like you were the favourite in there. Is that how you saw the fight coming in?”

Emma: “Yeah, I mean, Takara can punch. But I can punch too. I think I was by far the more complete fighter in there today. I always knew I could win. It was just others who saw this wrong.”

Laila: “You’ve been on some local cards and had some moments, but this is the biggest moment of your career. What do you think that shows.”

Emma: “You know what they say, don’t mess with Emma McGale. I’m built a little different. We’ll see if the boxing world figures it out yet.”

Laila: “Do you see your future at this weight class?”

Emma: “Nah, I have no real trouble making Featherweight. I’m staying there for now.”

Laila: “That was a brutal finish to the fight, do you have any thoughts?”

Emma: “I hope there were some good camera angles for it. Because I want that one for my highlight reel. But seriously, I was glad to see Takara get up and that she’s okay. At the same time, I’m not paid to pull punches, I’m paid to be brutal. Outside the ring, I’m a nice girl. Inside this ring, I’ll knock you cold without a second thought. That’s how it is.”

Laila: “Well, if your knockouts are this spectacular, I hope to see you back in the ring shortly.”

Emma: “Thanks London! It was good to be home.”

Retweeted by Final bell
alesia
Virani MacVicar
@CanadianCobra
Betting on Emma was the easiest money I ever made. Gotta stop with those highlight reel knockouts though – that’s my thing!

Gonna celebrate big when you are back!
Toronto, Ontario

Family First

The victorious fighter and her coach is interrupted in her lockerroom by a knock. It’s Emma’s half-sister, Leanne Storm.

Leanne: “Hi… can I come in?”

Sandra: “I was just leaving.”

Emma: “What are you…”

Leanne: “I finally got dad to spill the beans. I never knew I had a half-sister!”

Emma thinks: Holy shit.

Emma: “He’ll kill you if he finds out you are here.”

Leanne: “I’m a grown woman, Emma. I make my own decisions.”

Emma: “I’m not sure I’m ready for this yet.”

Leanne: “I get that. Here’s my cell phone number. Put it in your phone and when you are ready, let me know.”

Emma: “Thank you, sis.”

Leanne: “You fought well out there today, proved everyone wrong. Dad’s proud of you. Not sure he can say it out loud, but he is. I am too.”

Emma: “Thanks Leanne. That means something. I’ve got to do press, but I’ll be in touch.”

Leanne: “That’s all I can ask for. See you around. Don’t be a stranger.”

Emma thinks: Well, that might be the most unexpected thing of the day.

Previous post

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