High time

A bird and an orange meet

It’s 23:00 in Dresden, Germany. A sold-out venue is ready for one of the most anticipated boxing matches of the year.

Esther: “Welcome back to the EnergieVerbund Arena. It’s time for the main event of the evening, featuring a massive clash in the Lightweight division.”

Anna: “Heather Barker and Sophie Schumann, respectively ranked two and three in the division, are about to entertain you. Two title contenders who are looking for a career high in case of victory.”

Esther: “To kick off in style, we have Heidi Becker, the CEO at Final Bell Boxing. Welcome to Box TV. Tell us how big this match is for you.”

Heidi: “It’s one of the most exciting fights but I don’t only say that because I’m the promoter. We have a full house and millions watching at home because Sophie and Heather are among the best pound for pound boxers on the planet. Having them in the same ring in their prime years is exactly what we want as fight fans.”

Anna: “The Lightweight world champion, Zohana Patel, is a few meters away. Do you think that an eventual winner will face her?”

Heidi: “Positive. Just like tonight’s contestants, she loves a good challenge. I’d be surprised if she didn’t want to face both in separate matches, actually.”

Esther: “Wishing you a good show. I hear that the first boxer is about to come out.”

Trio of blondes

Veronica: “Please welcome Sophie Schumann!”

Picasso comes out flanked by two other German blondes, to the sound of Du Hast, by Rammstein. Her sister Alesia Schumann is on her left and a new friend, Leonie von Hammerstein, is on her right. They get warm applause as they make a stylish walk to the ring.

Esther: “Schumann is one of a kind. A pugilistic pure-breed who terrorised the amateur ranks before growing into a complete package as a professional. She’s hugely popular in Germany and Europe, with fans among the hardcore of boxing worldwide.”

Anna: “For good reason. She’s a natural puncher who can finish a match in a flash, but there’s more. She bolstered her defense and creativity to become very hard to solve.”

Top rope style

Veronica: “Now please welcome Heather Barker!”

The White Swan makes a brisk walk to the ring to the sound of So Careless by The Tea Party. She is accompanied by sparring partner Yenifer Perez and world champion Zohana Patel, under the fans’ cheers. Then they jump on the top rope of the blue corner.

Esther: “Barker is the quintessential woman of faith who is nice and charming, but something’s changed in the last year or two. She has an edge.”

Anna: “Once the Canadian gets ringside, her demeanour changes. She becomes a very hard woman who has left damage on previous opponents.”

The gladiators and coaches stand in their corners, ready for introductions.

Veronica: “It’s time for violence!”

The executive turned announcer gets wild cheers for her signature line.

Veronica: “Introducing first and fighting out of the red corner. She is wearing orange and black. She weighed in at 134.9 pounds, and she is trained by the legendary Regina Halmich at Halmich Academy. Her record stands at five wins, one loss, with four victories by way of knockout. Ranked number three in the Lightweight division, she is a punching artist and a bitter orange… from Munich… Sophie ‘Picasso’ Schuuuuumannnnnnn!”

The home crowd gives the blonde her due with a loud reception.

enlarge

Veronica: “Her opponent across the ring is fighting out of the blue corner. She is wearing blue and white after weighing in at 134.6 pounds. She is trained by Sylvie Chouinard at Boxers Inc in Montréal. Her professional record stands at 11 wins, six of them by way of knockout, one loss and one draw. She is the number two contender at Lightweight… a bird with a punch… from Montréal by way of Kelowna… Heather ‘THE WHITE SWAN’ BAARRRRRRRKEERRRRRRR!”

She eggs on the crowd to also get a thunder of applause.

enlarge

Anna-lysis

Esther: “Now is the time for some Anna-lysis, if you know what I mean. What do you see as Schumann’s game plan?”

Anna: “Without throwing caution to the wind, I believe that Sophie has to make this an intense battle by bringing the fight to Heather. She has a complete arsenal of tricks that range from moving well, punching ferociously and antagonising the opposition. The most important aspect is that she’s been working on creativity. This is what she needs to express to defeat her opponent tonight.”

Esther: “Now for the Canadian’s plan?”

Anna: “Focus on the fundamentals. You don’t want a messy affair with the German, so throw long punches as soon as she gets into range. Use your tenacity to frustrate and contain her. Use chances if they come up but never force the issue. Many of Sophie’s opponents have lost control of their emotions but if someone can fight calmly over 10 rounds, it’s Heather.”

Esther: “Side by side, it appears that we have a mostly even match.”

Anna: “Almost. Two sets of attributes that are complementary and difficult to differentiate. Sophie has the better hands while Heather is better at navigating the ring for the long haul.”

Alex: “Ladies. Come here. We went over the unified rules in the dressing rooms. This fight is scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds. There is no three-knockdown rule. There is no standing eight-count. You cannot be saved by the bell in any round. In case of an accidental headbutt after Round 4, we go to the scorecards. If you knock your opponent down, you have to go to a neutral corner before I start a count. If you foul intentionally, I will deduct a point. The second time, you’re disqualified. Protect yourself at all times. Obey my command at all times. Give us a good clean fight and stay professional. Touch gloves.”

They do so, but it’s a light touch. Cut-throat tension is in the air as Sophie and Heather exchange a hard stare without words.

Esther: “Two intimidating women who mean business. I don’t recommend going away because you’ll miss fireworks.”

enlarge

Alex: “Now back to your corners. Get ready.”

Previous post

sophie heather prematch

Next post

Heather Barker
Heather Barker
A religious, caring and ambitious woman from Canada, now based in Marseille. One of the most tenacious boxers in the sport.
Sophie Schumann
Sophie Schumann
The little sister of Alesia Schumann is a born troublemaker but supremely talented puncher. Former world champion at Lightweight.