Brazilian champ and Japanese champ face off!
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- After the last quarter-final match, Ana Aquino was cleared from the ring and Akira Asuka surprised the crowd by stepping into it before getting ready for the evening’s press conferences. She held a microphone, sadly looking out at the crowd.
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- And then, Akira spoke. “I am here tonight to apologize for my match with Liberty Lane. What Clarisse Cloutier did was very dishonorable. That is not the way I want to win a match. I don’t like cheaters. To be fair, Liberty Lane was defeating me in the ring before Clarisse distracted her. I fought very hard, but Liberty would have won. So, to regain my honor, I will remove myself from the tournament. I think that in my place, Liberty Lane should be allowed back in. This is a hard decision, but one that will make my fans and my family proud.”
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- But then, Akira’s announcement was interrupted by the arrival of Brazilian Champion, Luiza Lima. The crowd was going crazy. Luiza and Akira would be meeting in the next tournament match! What would Luiza have to say?
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- Luiza stepped into the ring and walked straight up to Akira. “You want to quit?” Luiza began.
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- “No, no, no, you can’t quit before facing me! The fans will not like that. I will make you a deal, minha amiga. You fight me and if you win, you can quit the tournament and let Liberty Lane take your place. But if I win, to honor your request, I will challenge Liberty to a special match… a bikini match! Then, she can be allowed back in the tournament. Do you agree?”
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- Akira Asuka thought long and hard as the crowd cheered her on. Then she spoke. “Ok. I will accept your challenge. I will not quit the tournament. If I win, I will decided if I stay in or let Liberty take my place. And if you win, you will challenge her in a special bikini match. If Liberty and the judges agree, then we will fight.”
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- Finally, it was time for Luiza Lima and Akira Asuka to meet in the ring. Luiza had not accepted Akira’s decision to drop out of the tournament and now they were ready to battle in the ring.
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- At the sound of the bell, Akira Asuka sprang out of her corner and rushed into the Brazilian champion, showing her full power. Akira whacked her opponent with a blistering uppercut, early on, and took control of the match.
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- Luiza Lima felt pain from Akira’s fists. Luiza was known for her speed in the ring, but tonight, her opponent was quicker. Akira was driven by honor and used that motivation to keep ahead of Luiza.
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- Akira was in control the entire first round of the match. Up to the sound of the bell, she dug in deep with shots to Luiza’s midsection. DING! At the end of the round, Luiza felt relief.
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- Both girls waited in the corner, looking forward to the next round. Akira looked over at Luiza with fire in her eyes. Luiza wanted this match… and Akira was going to make her regret it. Luiza looked over with anger. How could she let this fighter take control like that? Luiza was sure she would turn things around at the sound of the bell.
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- But at the sound of the bell, Akira rushed out of her corner and continued her attack. She flew into Luiza, slamming her with brutal head shots.
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- But this time, Luiza fought back! She backed up enough to give herself leverage and caught Akira with a forceful left uppercut to the jaw. Akira was rattled as Luiza took over the fight.
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- But Akira wasn’t done. Despite the drubbing she was being give by Luiza, she still managed to fight back toward the end of the round. After taking her hits, Akira backed up and then caught Luiza with a solid right that twisted her head to the side. DING! Then, the bell rang to end the second round.
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- Both fighters were weary after two difficult rounds. Akira was ahead of the game but still felt her energy waning. Luiza had taken the brunt of the damage, but was still in the fight. Her anger seethed within her. And then, it was time for the 3rd round. DING!
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- Both fighters circled each other until Akira began attacking Luiza. But the Brazilian champ weaved around her opponent, drawing within range. She dodged the Japanese champ’s blows…
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- …and then, BAM! Luiza caught Akira with a blinding right straight into her face! The Japanese champion had fallen into her opponent’s trap. Luiza had been biding her time, drawing her opponent closer until she could unleash. She began pounding into Akira, forcing her to backpeddle.
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- And then, finally, with Akira dizzy from Luiza’s sudden attack, the Brazilian finished her off with a swift, solid left that crashed into the side of her head. Akira crashed to the canvas, knocked out cold!
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- After a tremendous early showing, Akira eventually fell victim to Luiza’s performance. The Japanese champion was counted out as Luiza danced around her. “Ladies and gentlemen, your winner tonight… by knockout in the 3rd round… Brazilian Foxy Boxing Champion, Luiza Lima!”
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- Despite her loss, the crowd cheered Akira on. She had been willing to sacrifice her spot in the tournament because she felt her victory was not an honest one. Akira had done nothing wrong, herself a victim of Clarisse Cloutier’s meddling. But now, her journey in the tournament had come to an honorable end.
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- And although Luiza Lima danced around the ring, she knew her victory was a close one. Akira had given her a tough fight, but in the end, Luiza used her cunning to trap the champion and knock her out. And she was true to her word. Since she was victorious, she would be meeting Liberty Lane in an extra tournament bout. Luiza knew this would jeopardize her path in the tournament, but she was looking forward to meeting the American ex-champion. After her celebratory dance, Luiza walked out of the ring.
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- Despite the protests of the crowd, Akira still had to face the penalty for losing. As soon as Luiza left the ring, handlers came in to remove the Japanese champion’s top. Poor Akira laid on the mat, on full display for the cameras. The crowd booed. But then, their boos became even louder for a different reason.
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- The reason for the new jeers appeared at ringside. Clarisse Cloutier, the French Foxy Boxing Champion! Clarisse looked angry as she approached the ring.
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- The French fighter entered the ring and stood over the defeated Akira. She shouted down at her, “Why did you do that? Now, Liberty Lane is back in the tournament! Now, I punish you for your erreur!” Clarisse Cloutier got ready to attack the Japanese champion.
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- And then the crowd went crazy! Liberty Lane appeared, running down the aisle toward the ring.
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- Before Clarisse could attack Akira, Liberty jumped in the ring and caught the French champion by surprise with a wicked right hook! Liberty decided to get some payback from what Clarisse had cost her.
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- Liberty pinned Clarisse to the mat and pounded into her. “It wasn’t enough you interfered in our match, but now you’re going to attack a defenseless woman? I don’t think so!” The crowd cheered her on as Liberty took her enemy out.
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- When she was done, Liberty leaned down to check in on Akira Asuka. “Are you okay?” Akira responded positively, but still looked surprised. Then Liberty thanked her. “You didn’t have to do what you did. You won fair and square as far as I’m concerned. You had nothing to do with Clarisse’s distraction. But thank you, Akira. You showed great honor in this tournament. Because of you, I have a second chance. You may have fallen to Luiza Lima, but you put on a great fight. Out of respect for you, I will do my best to represent us BOTH against Lima and, hopefully, against Clarisse in the boxing ring proper.” Akira smiled up at Liberty and then both women walked out of the ring together, to thunderous applause.
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- After the two women made their exit, Clarisse sat up, feeling the sting of Liberty’s attack. She sat there, listening to the crowd’s jeers, and getting more angry. Now, there was a chance she’d have to face Liberty Lane. Clarisse felt confident against all the other women, but Liberty worried her. There was still a chance Luiza would defeat Liberty, but Clarisse had to be ready just in case that didn’t happen. And there was still a chance Clarisse would face defeat at the hands of Kamilah, but she didn’t believe that would happen. After several moments of clearing her head, Clarisse finally got up and left the ring in absolute anger.
B.A.B.E. 