The fourth match-up for the B.A.B.E. title!
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- Shani Shakur stood admiring a B.A.B.E. poster and thinking about her future reign as champion. Slowly approaching her was her first tournament opponent, Rayne.
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- Rayne taunted her, “I’ve seen you fight before. And I’ve seen you lose before. You were not Africa’s best… you are not B.A.B.E.’s best.”
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- Shani responded, “I have seen you lose before too. You are a big girl who likes to talk big. But when we meet, you will crash down.”
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- Both women stood for several moments, staring coldly into each other’s eyes, before finally walking off to prepare for next week’s match.
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- Finally, the night of the fourth semi-final arrived. “Ladies and gentlemen… now it’s time for tonight’s Main Event, the final quarter-final of the B.A.B.E. Championship Tournament! First… fighting out of the red corner, hailing from Stuttgart, Germany… please welcome, RAYNE!” The crowd greeted the ‘Champion Killer’ with deafening boos. But Rayne ignored their jeers and flaunted her physique.
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- “And her opponent… fighting out of the blue corner, from Nairobi, Kenya… please welcome SHANI SHAKUR!” Shani was greeted with cheers from fans hoping she would topple her giant opponent.
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- DING! And Round 1 began with both women flying into each other. Shani was quick to start her attack and forced Rayne to spend the early part of the round dodging and weaving.
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- But as soon as she found an opening, Rayne launched a right hook that stopped Shakur cold. Rayne then took over, firing hard fists at her opponent hoping to wear her down fast.
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- Shakur tried to dodge, but Rayne’s punches were knocking the speed out of her. Like a sledgehammer, Rayne pounded into Shakur, only stopping once the bell rang to end the round. DING!
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- During the break, Rayne stood tall in her corner, keeping focused on her opponent across the ring. Rayne came here to send a message to all the other fighters and she was succeeding. Shani Shakur, meanwhile, stood in her corner licking her wounds but remaining intent on toppling her opponent. Her confidence was not shaken by Rayne’s power. DING!
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- But once the 2nd round began, Rayne jumped into action with a heavy right fist straight to Shani’s chin. Shocked by the power of the blow, Shani was forced into an early retreat. Rayne, however, moved in for more punishment.
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- Shakur tried to defend herself from her opponent’s attack, but Rayne was too powerful. She muscled in close and slammed fists into her body, but Shakur absorbed the punishment.
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- Then, Shani Shakur brought the fight back to Rayne! With all her remaining strength, Shakur blasted Rayne with quick effective fists to her head. Rayne took the hits, but before she could fight back, the bell rang to end the round. DING!
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- The fight was taking its toll on both fighters. Even Rayne was feeling her energy weaken. Although controlling most of the 2nd round, she was impressed with Shani’s endurance. But still, Rayne wanted this victory and wanted to crush her opponent. Shani Shakur, meanwhile, sat down with an aching body. Now that she had a chance to rest, her pain was making its way throughout her muscles. But she showed Rayne she was still a warrior and in this next round, she would finally topple the large fighter. DING!
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- Both fighters met for another round, but this time, Shani came out swinging first. Unfortunately, her timing was a bit more slow and Rayne was able to duck out of the way and move in with a tight left punch straight to the gut. This punch left Shani gasping for air.
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- Seeing the damage that was done, Rayne capitalized on Shani’s predicament and continued to pound away at her belly, pulverizing her opponent’s midsection. Shani tried to push away but couldn’t escape Rayne’s attack.
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- Finally, Shani collapsed onto her knees, gasping for air, but Rayne was on top of her and bombed her with overhand fists. Rayne grounded her opponent into the mat and, finally, left a twisted wreck on the canvas.
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- With Shani Shakur out on the mat, Rayne strutted away claiming the victory. And the count began! “1… 2… 3… 4… 5… “
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- Shani was out cold, a victim of Rayne’s overbearing power. There was no getting up for her tonight. “6… 7… 8… 9… 10!” DING! DING! Shani Shakur’s road to the title came to an end.
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- “Ladies and gentlemen… your winner tonight… and moving on to the B.A.B.E. Championship semi-finals… RAYNE!!” The crowd booed and jeered as Rayne raised her fists high. She didn’t care about the crowd. She was one step closer to B.A.B.E. gold.
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- After her victory, Rayne walked back toward the locker rooms with a smug look of satisfaction. She knew she did good work tonight. But another woman now stood in her way.
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- The Jade Fist. Rayne saw her next opponent standing in the B.A.B.E. gym and walked over to her, studying her slowly. Then, she addressed her. “I will have fun with you when we meet in the ring. You saw what I did tonight. That’s only a taste of what you will get.”
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- Rayne continued, “You see, I once took your Japanese champion* and crushed her to dust. She was nothing compared to me. I treated her like an amateur. And if she was the best Japan offered, you will be no challenge at all.”
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- The Jade Fist did not reply. She continued to look at Rayne in smug silence.
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- Eventually, Rayne walked off unimpressed, leaving her opponent with a final piece of advice. “You still have time to drop out of the tournament.” The Jade Fist looked on after her.
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- And finally, with a sinister glare, the Jade Fist spoke. “Akira Asuka was not my champion. I come from Thailand.”
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- Rayne moves on to the Semi-Finals.
B.A.B.E. 