No love lost

Volcanos and swans can be aggressive

Fight week has arrived for Heather Barker and Leyla Abdul ahead of their rematch. The camps have migrated to London.

Days before their date at The O2, the two pugilists have been instructed to use public training to produce striking images and show off their ability to destroy a target with their fists.

Glass chin?

When the TV crew is around at the host gym, Maxim Weiss makes Leyla get to work. She hits his most compact, hardest pads with power punches for the lens and microphone to capture not only imagery but crisp sound of punches landing.

Required to answer questions to complement the footage, the Muslim boxer doesn’t mince words.

Leyla: “As I said before, Heather Barker is an overrated fighter. She’s not making the distance this time. I’m better and meaner than ever and that’s bad news for her glass chin.”

Leyla Abdul public training
Leyla Abdul public training
Leyla Abdul public training

Power play

The TV crew stays on as the camps come in and out in rotation. With special attention for keeping Heather and Leyla separate.

This time, the staged workout takes the form of an informal sparring session. Mechelle Gauthier agreed to step into the ring with Heather and let her put her power on display while aiming at someone instead of pads.

The White Swan uses the camera time to throw dangerous punches at Mechelle, who accepts the pressure and blocks. The glove to glove contact sounds pretty loud.

Heather: “Leyla’s in for a lot of that and the difference is that the punches will land. She’ll regret provoking me.”

The Pretty Warrior fully plays the game even when taking a question or two.

Mechelle: “That reminds me of the punches that knocked me out years ago. I think that Leyla made the wrong choice when taking the rematch. Heather’s at her best now.”

Heather Barker public training
Heather Barker public training
Heather Barker public training
Heather Barker public training

Leyla Airlines

Heather and Leyla trade a few barbs at the press conference but they surprisingly keep it under control. However, they come across each other at the hotel to shoot daggers with their eyes.

It all comes to a head at the weigh-in procedure, the last moment to make an impression before meeting in the ring. Both make the 135 pounds limit razor sharp. Then they face off with security guards ready to force a break if necessary.

Heather: “Ready to be exposed?”

Leyla: “I’ll tell you what’s not ready. That chin of yours because it doesn’t exist. And enjoy that nose in its current state. I’m gonna break it.”

Heather: “You’re not breaking a thing. Leyla Airlines are crashing down tomorrow. You’re gonna burn.”

Leyla: “All words. You’re nothing.”

They get even closer with tempers flaring.

Security guys: “Alright ladies. That’s enough.”

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Popular Swan

It’s fight night in London. Veronica Lillegard takes to the ring for the introductions.

Veronica: “Ladies and gentlemen… Here’s our MAIN event of the evening. Ten rounds of boxing, three minutes each, between Leyla Abdul and Heather Barker in the Lightweight division. It’s time for violence!”

That gets cheers from 18,000 fans.

Veronica: “Introducing first and fighting out of the red corner. She is wearing purple and white. She weighed in at 134.9 pounds, and she is trained by Sylvie Chouinard at Boxers Inc in Montréal. Her record stands at 11 wins, six of them by way of knockout, two losses and one draw. Ranked number three in the Lightweight division… from Montréal by way of Kelowna… she is Heather ‘The White Swan’ Baaarrrrrrkerrrrrrrr!”

British boxing fans have already watched Heather fight in person. They give her a warm response.

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Esther: “The last time around, Barker got into a firefight when she shouldn’t have. What should she do tonight?”

Anna: “The biggest thing is coming up with new moves. Leyla Abdul is one of the most warrior-like boxers in the division. Standing toe to toe with her for long is a bad idea. Heather has to innovate with new moves. She should exert influence with ring generalship. Even more importantly, she should use her tenacity to ‘insist’ on making this match demanding. She has more physical strength and endurance and it should be a factor.”

Heather Barker battle points

Smiling Volcano

Veronica: “Her opponent across the ring is fighting out of the blue corner. She is wearing black, white and red. She weighed in at 134.8 pounds. She is trained by former world champion Maxim Weiss at No BS gym in Berlin. Her professional record stands at 12 wins, five of them by way of knockout, one loss and one draw. She is the number two contender at Lightweight… she can serve up the lava… from Berlin, Germany, she is Leyla ‘The Volcano’ Abbbbduulllllll!”

The Muslim boxer gets her own round of applause.

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Anna-lysis

Esther: “Let’s hear a game plan for Abdul.”

Anna: “A rematch in boxing is never quite like the first fight, so I’d make wholesale changes to avoid trading, and I’d be wary of facing Heather Barker when she’s on a mission. She has a history of coming after you until you can’t take it anymore. She’s left previous opponents injured and she used a hurting right hand to score a knockout. If I’m Leyla tonight, I want to control proceedings and prevent her from doing damage. Use that Philly shell style to defend and hit hard on the counter. Don’t overplay your hand, and be opportunistic.”

Leyla Abdul battle points

Scorn

Esther: “Well-respected German referee Zelda Deniz is in charge of the action tonight.”

Zelda: “Ladies. Get here.”

They do so while their eyes are throwing a new set of daggers.

Zelda: “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 no matter what you do, don’t mess with me. Touch gloves.”

The official is hoping to see the obligatory sportsmanship but it doesn’t come. Instead, they both look like they want to punch each other before the bell.

Leyla: “Overrated. Gonna punch your lights out.”

Heather: “You’ll go down faster than a two-dollar whore.”

The moment they make a move, it looks like they’ll be violent before they’re allowed to be.

Zelda steps in to maintain a safe distance. They end up not touching gloves at all before being chased back to their corners.

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Esther: “Are you a boxing fan? Good. You’ve come to the right place. There’s no love lost between these two and most love tasty beef. If the emotion translates into action, we’re in for nuclear bombs. I suggest taking a seat and watching this one without blinking too much.”

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Heather Barker Leyla Abdul Rounds 1-2
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.
Leyla Abdul
Leyla Abdul
A Muslim boxer who doesn't mind going to war, works with the Philly shell and trades with anyone. A German Lightweight champion.