Post by girlsfriday on Jul 14, 2023 2:56:22 GMT -6
England - Lily James:
VS
China - Ming Xi:
Tale of the Tape:
Lily James:
Age: 34
Height: 5'7
W/L: 22-2 (22KOs)
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Vs
Ming Xi:
Age: 34
Height: 5'10
W/L: 16-12-1 (16KOs)
(League of Mighty Women Vs Fates Boxing)
(Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)
Intro:
Now it is main event time! We will crown the first ever FCBA World Cup tournament winner here in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. It has come down to England's Lily James on one side of the ring. The opposite side China's Ming Xi will stand after both earned their way here after two gruelling fights earlier in the night for them.
Lily made it to the final by first taking on home fighter Miranda Kerr. While the crowd were firmly behind Miranda, Lily was the one who held it together to advance. In the semi finals Lily had to take on Mexico's Eiza Gonzalez. In a tough back and forth battle Lily of course emerged the victor.
Ming on the other hand arguably had the harder path. Starting with one of the tournament favourites in Kylie Jenner. It took eight rounds but Ming advanced with a stunning knockout. The semis saw Ming take on Italian national champion Valentina Fradegrada. Another hard fought bout saw Ming force the referee to step in to stop the fight.
While both fighters prepare for this bout in their locker rooms. People close to them were asked backstage for a few words. For Lily it is her manager Sharon Horgan. Who is wearing an emerald green dress. She admits "usually I wouldn't cheer for England but needs must." Winking at the interviewer.
She looks serious though as she says "I am fully supportive of Lily. Ever since I had the pleasure of offering her a contract to join my stable. Lily has been a prime example of what a fighter should be. She turns up early to get work in, she fights her heart out and she never causes any hints of problems. Which consisting what has happened the last few months with a certain turncoat such tell you how much I value loyality."
Fighting back a few tears as it shows how much she has grown a bond with Lily. Sharon finishes with "tonight Lily deserves that trophy more then anyone else. While I respect the Fates Boxing stable and Ming Xi. This is Lily's time to remind people how talented she is." Heading into the locker room to give Lily a final few words.
Meanwhile it's Emily DiDonato who speaks to the cameras about her friend Ming in the media area. She wears blue jeans and heels to go along with the white T-shirt which has a picture of Ming on the front with "Team Ming" in red glittery letters above the picture.
Emily starts off by saying "I know Ming didn't win in the Civil War on my team last month. She has been there for me since day one she joined the Fates stable. So I am here for her with the T-shirt and if needed sure someone could loan me pom poms." Emily chuckles to herself about that.
"Ming is a great person it should be said. I've had the pleasure of sparring with her and know that she is better then her record indicates. Hopefully when she wins that cup then she gets the respect she deserves" says Emily with a big smile. Lastly saying "go on Ming!" Before she heads off to grab her seat in the VIP section.
Now it has to be pointed out this is not the first time these two have fought. It's the first time in the FCBA as their lone bout took place in the BBU back in August 2020 in Russia. Lily won that clash by knockout in the seventh round. Can Lily repeat history here or will this be the perfect Cinderella story for Ming?
Fighting time! The big stage has a picture of both fighters pictures with their countries flags behind them. On a red velvet pillow on a podium next to the ring sits the gold World Cup trophy. The crowd are electric as they stand to cheer as the fight is announced.
Here comes Lily through the curtain. She takes a deep breath to cool any butterflies she has before beginning to walk down the aisle with coach Angelica Bridges to her left side. Lily is wearing white sports bra and gloves. St.georges cross pattern trunks and gloves, hair tied into a ponytail. She is inside the ring now getting a hug from Angelica before she goes through her warm up routine.
Ming now begins her march down the aisle. She has coach Ana Beatriz Barros following her as Ming looks tense. She steps into the ring wearing a red sports bra, red trunks with gold stars down the sides with matching shoes, red gloves and her hair is tied into a ponytail. Ming takes a moment to shut her eyes and take a breath of her own.
Walking to the middle of the ring for the referees final instructions. The fighters clench their fists as they stare hard at their opponent. This fight means so much to them and they won't let anyone stay in their way right now. A swipe of gloves with their opponent before jogging to their corners. The bell rings to start 10 rounds of lightweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding!" Out they come with the battle scars on show. Ming with a bit of a fat lip, while Lily has some swelling under her right eye from their previous bouts tonight. They kick off proceedings a little tentative with single punches. Not wanting to make a mistake right out the gates.
A feint from Ming allows her to open up Lily to a left cross to her cheek before a straight lands square into her face. Lily forced to move with her back to the ropes. Firing back now as the fighters open up now the pressure value seems to have been released.
Problem for Lily is Ming is landing the crisper punches as she moves her head more and lands straight shots in reply. Lily a little too static for her own good. Leading to a little redness forming around her cheeks. The bell rings to end the opening round with Ming looking to have relaxed the quicker of the fighters.
Round 2:
They are definitely freeing up as they exchange more punches in bunches. A double jab catches Lily into her face. Ming gets caught out by a right cross on her jaw as she misses with a straight. Both gritting their gumshields as they take hits to strike back.
Dipping under a straight; Lily comes over the top with a looping left to twist the head of Ming. Seeing her chance, Lily muscles Ming into a corner to pound her body. Both fighters crews yelling at them as Ming tries to trade her way out of trouble. Exchanging till Ming realises she is better off holding to get out of danger here.
They are split apart but it's Lily the faster off the blocks to catch out her opponent with a jab square into her lips. A trickle of blood runs from the bottom lip of Xi to her chin. She swings back, it's Lily landing the better shots as she slams into Ming with her left forearm to press her back to the ropes to work. At the bell Ming scowls at Lily at she didn't appreciate the rough house style tactics. Ana reminds Ming this is for all the marbles tonight so she can't complain about Lily doing everything she can to win.
Round 3:
The fighters are showing their determination to win on their faces as they come out their corners. Lily gets a few solid shots to the torso of Ming to cause a little redness to form. Ming coming back over the top with a few cross punches in return. One landing around the right eye of Lily to open a gash under it to make the actress cry out.
Lily gets more defensively over that eye. Ming opening up more as she sees her chance to strike to the chest of Lily. Switching up her punches into the face of Lily when gaps form as Lily finds herself being pushed back around the ring.
Clinching when her back touches the turnbuckles of her own corner. Lily smartly slowing down her foes rhythm as Ming can be seen hissing in frustration. They are split up and resume with Ming wanting to keep the pressure on. Lily dips underneath a left hook to bang away at the body of Ming with piston like punches as she keeps her head down to drive the model to the ropes.
At the bell both take a breath as it has been a long night for them already. Sitting on their stools with Ming staring hard at Lily, who is getting her cut patched up by her corner. Angelica not looking too pleased by Lily getting smacked around.
Round 4:
Back out they come with Ming looking to keep her jab aimed at that cut. Meaning that Lily is having to keep her right glove close guarded there. Lily is almost a one handed fighter at the moment as Ming swings in more right hooks when she realises she won't get to the cut so easily. Both exchange at range as Ming looks zoned in as she moves back when Lily tries to charge her, firing in jabs to her chest to stop her.
A left/right cross combo pushes Lily back to the ropes. Lily again clinches quickly as Ming tries to push her off. Ming getting annoyed as she tells her opponent "get the f**k off me!" The referee helps with that cause as they break them apart. Ming tapping her gloves together keen to get back at her opponent.
But Lily shows her boxing IQ off to feint with her right as she moves back towards the ropes. Ming goes to swing a left hook in that Lily ducks under and sidesteps to Ming's left. A looping right hook smacks Ming around her ear to knock her two steps to her right. Lily sees her chance to lay in heavy leather as she rushes Ming into a neutral corner. Banging away to the torso and up to her face. Ming trying to shove her off but getting caught over the top with hooks till the bell dings.
Both exchange a few words as tempers flare up. Referee nudges them to their corners as both are proving how much they want this. Ming has some puffiness now around her left eye. Both fighters needing to be worked on by their coaches as their chests rise quicker.
Round 5:
Both women are throwing more single punches with a few flurries being exchanged. Ming getting clipped near the left eye looks to have spooked her a little but she still is moving around the ring looking content when she throws three punch combos at her opponent.
Lily feints being landing a right hook around the eye of Ming. Who cries out as she is driven back into a neutral corner. Where James whacks away at her torso to try to cut down Ming. With Xi grabbing onto the English fighter now. Both take a breather before they are pushed apart.
It looks like Lily is gaining momentum but Ming is still landing two punch combos when she sees an opening. The bell rings with both women walking back to their corners. It's clear they are hurting but showing their toughness to the world.
Round 6:
Resuming with Lily getting more aggressive again as she senses that Ming is hurting. Landing more hooks to the body before she is shoved off. A double jab smacks into the top of her opponents head. They exchange more at midrange trying to gain control of the action as the crowd roars them on.
A jab catches Ming on her chin before a right hook catches her on her cheek. Lily muscles Ming onto the ropes, drilling her punches around the stomach of Xi as the Chinese fighter groans out. Pushing Lily off and landing a left cross to the cheek of the actress to ward her off.
Ming coming back at her opponent as they exchange. Heads nearly clashing as they step in with straights that glance off their opponents. Soon ending up clinched with both sweaty bodies grinding together as they try to push each other back. The round ends with both sitting on their stools with arms on the ropes either side of them. Ming tapping her toes maybe showing a little nervousness.
Round 7:
Pushing off their stools to resume; while the pace has somewhat slowed down, both women are digging their toes into the canvas to land. Ming looks to be breathing the harder but judging by the sweat and blood coming off Lily when she hits her flush, she still is carrying power. Lily meanwhile working away on the inside when she can to try to cut down her opponent.
Near the half way point of the round, Ming catching Lily with a left hook on the cut, Lily's guard dipping as a right hook slams onto her cheek to make her stumble a step to the right. A FOLLOW UP RIGHT SENDS LILY DOWN TO HER RIGHT SIDE!
Ming's corner are jumping for joy as they sense this could be it. Ming leans in the neutral corner against the turnbuckles as the count begins. 1....2....3... Lily groans as she moves to her back. 4....5... Blood trickles down her cheek to the canvas. 6... Sitting up with a groan. 7....8... Lily pushing herself up with a nod to the referee she is okay, raising her gloves to prove that she can protect herself.
Still around a minute to go with Ming looking to finish the job. Lily boxing defensively with her jab and holding onto her foe when the heat gets too much. Ming looking furious as she wants to get a clean shot at her opponent. Lily not simply going to be a sitting duck for her, showing her wits are still there.
The bell dings with Ming nodding over to Ana as she knows not to get too worked up she didn't finish the fight now. Lily meanwhile being fanned down as her corner works hard on patching her up. Her right eye looking more puffy as she is certainly having to battle hard. So is Ming of course as ice packs are placed onto her body as redness shows over it.
Round 8:
Tiredly the two boxers get back to work. Ming being understandably more aggressive as she looks for the finish. Problem is Lily is showing good upper body movement to dodge straights to ram her fists back into the face and chest of Ming. Keeping Ming from charging through her as they trade.
A straight right lands square into the breadbasket of Ming. Who gasps as her cheeks flush red and she winces. Lily smelling blood in the water as she drives Ming into the ropes with more punches hammering her torso. Ming holding desperately as she looks to be winded and hurt. Both happy for the breather as they rest their heads on the others shoulder.
Back at it they go with Lily getting caught around her forehead by piston like punches. Lily though lands a right hook into the ribs of Xi before an overhand left smacks the model on her chin to rock her head around. The round soon ends with Lily taking a deep breath before marching back to her stool. Ming rubs her stomach as she is almost panting. Gumshield is spat out as Ming sucks in air.
Round 9:
Both willing themselves on as the crowd stands to cheer both these proud fighters on. Ming not as quick across the canvas as her feet look to be treading in cement. Lily feinting to try to get in closer, taking some hits around her face to keep her on the outside as Ming isn't going to be bulldozed over so easily.
A left hook catches Ming on her chin; opening her up to an uppercut to the body as Ming cries out. Desperately trying to hang onto Lily, Ming is pushed off into a neutral corner. WHERE LILY LANDS ANOTHER HARD HARPOON LIKE RIGHT TO THE BODY OF MING! DOWN GOES XI AS HER LEGS GIVE WAY AND SHE IS ON ALL FOURS!
Lily walks over to the neutral corner and shuts her eyes as she doesn't want to watch the count, showing her nervousness. 1....2....3... Ming spits out her gumshield as she sucks in air. 4....5... Pushing to her haunches with a whine. 6....7... Ming is rubbing her stomach to try to numb the pain. 8... Gabbing the ropes either side 9... She hasn't the strength in them, 10 meaning she is counted out!
Winner Lily James KO Round 9
After:
Lily James has made history tonight! She becomes the first ever FCBA World Cup winner as she falls to her knees. Covering her face with her gloves as she cries tears of joy. Tonight was her hardest night in boxing as she had to go through three opponents to leave with the trophy.
Of course you have to feel sorry for the losing finalist. Ming cries too as she stares at the canvas. She was so close to grabbing the glory for herself. Fought tough opponents from the first round to this final and the knockdown gave her and her supporters hope.
Over comes Ana with an ice pack to place on the torso of Ming. While she holds her close with her right arm around her back. Telling Ming "you did wonderful tonight. You made me and our stable proud." She sheds a few tears herself as she has grown a bond with her protégé.
They have to watch as Sharon and Angelica step into the ring to help up Lily. Cuddling the victor as they share their feelings. They are so happy for Lily as she raises her arms into the air and takes the applause from the crowd. They booed her to start the night for beating their hero but they damn well respect her for her performance throughout the night.
After a few minutes Ming leaves the ring with Emily DiDonato coming to check on her from the ringside area. Ming and Emily have an arm around each others waist as Ming rests her head on Emily's right shoulder. Walking slowly to the back, Emily looking back a moment to glare at Lily for stealing her friends moment. Ana holding the ice pack still to Ming's torso as Ming went through twenty two rounds tonight.
Inside the ring after Lily is patched up. An FCBA committee member in a black suit and white shirt combo has the solid gold FCBA World Cup trophy on the podium. Lily heads over fighting back more tears as she looks at it. She gets her left arm raised by the referee before Lily lifts the trophy up to a loud cheer from her supporters. She can't fight back the tears any longer as she takes in the loud roar from the crowd.
Of course Lily poses with the trophy in her hands, along with follow up photos with Sharon and Angelica either side of her. Both smiling and telling her she deserves this. The former lightweight champion looked to be in a small rut. What a way to get out of it with this victory.
Stepping out the ring with Sharon and Angelica joking they will carry the trophy for her. Lily doesn't want to release it at that moment. Lifting it up for all to see at the top of the aisle as gold confetti flies over her, along with red and white fireworks being released into the night sky outside the stadium.
VS
China - Ming Xi:
Tale of the Tape:
Lily James:
Age: 34
Height: 5'7
W/L: 22-2 (22KOs)
Former FCBA lightweight champion.
Vs
Ming Xi:
Age: 34
Height: 5'10
W/L: 16-12-1 (16KOs)
(League of Mighty Women Vs Fates Boxing)
(Written by Girls Friday/Results by Lookout!)
Intro:
Now it is main event time! We will crown the first ever FCBA World Cup tournament winner here in Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. It has come down to England's Lily James on one side of the ring. The opposite side China's Ming Xi will stand after both earned their way here after two gruelling fights earlier in the night for them.
Lily made it to the final by first taking on home fighter Miranda Kerr. While the crowd were firmly behind Miranda, Lily was the one who held it together to advance. In the semi finals Lily had to take on Mexico's Eiza Gonzalez. In a tough back and forth battle Lily of course emerged the victor.
Ming on the other hand arguably had the harder path. Starting with one of the tournament favourites in Kylie Jenner. It took eight rounds but Ming advanced with a stunning knockout. The semis saw Ming take on Italian national champion Valentina Fradegrada. Another hard fought bout saw Ming force the referee to step in to stop the fight.
While both fighters prepare for this bout in their locker rooms. People close to them were asked backstage for a few words. For Lily it is her manager Sharon Horgan. Who is wearing an emerald green dress. She admits "usually I wouldn't cheer for England but needs must." Winking at the interviewer.
She looks serious though as she says "I am fully supportive of Lily. Ever since I had the pleasure of offering her a contract to join my stable. Lily has been a prime example of what a fighter should be. She turns up early to get work in, she fights her heart out and she never causes any hints of problems. Which consisting what has happened the last few months with a certain turncoat such tell you how much I value loyality."
Fighting back a few tears as it shows how much she has grown a bond with Lily. Sharon finishes with "tonight Lily deserves that trophy more then anyone else. While I respect the Fates Boxing stable and Ming Xi. This is Lily's time to remind people how talented she is." Heading into the locker room to give Lily a final few words.
Meanwhile it's Emily DiDonato who speaks to the cameras about her friend Ming in the media area. She wears blue jeans and heels to go along with the white T-shirt which has a picture of Ming on the front with "Team Ming" in red glittery letters above the picture.
Emily starts off by saying "I know Ming didn't win in the Civil War on my team last month. She has been there for me since day one she joined the Fates stable. So I am here for her with the T-shirt and if needed sure someone could loan me pom poms." Emily chuckles to herself about that.
"Ming is a great person it should be said. I've had the pleasure of sparring with her and know that she is better then her record indicates. Hopefully when she wins that cup then she gets the respect she deserves" says Emily with a big smile. Lastly saying "go on Ming!" Before she heads off to grab her seat in the VIP section.
Now it has to be pointed out this is not the first time these two have fought. It's the first time in the FCBA as their lone bout took place in the BBU back in August 2020 in Russia. Lily won that clash by knockout in the seventh round. Can Lily repeat history here or will this be the perfect Cinderella story for Ming?
Fighting time! The big stage has a picture of both fighters pictures with their countries flags behind them. On a red velvet pillow on a podium next to the ring sits the gold World Cup trophy. The crowd are electric as they stand to cheer as the fight is announced.
Here comes Lily through the curtain. She takes a deep breath to cool any butterflies she has before beginning to walk down the aisle with coach Angelica Bridges to her left side. Lily is wearing white sports bra and gloves. St.georges cross pattern trunks and gloves, hair tied into a ponytail. She is inside the ring now getting a hug from Angelica before she goes through her warm up routine.
Ming now begins her march down the aisle. She has coach Ana Beatriz Barros following her as Ming looks tense. She steps into the ring wearing a red sports bra, red trunks with gold stars down the sides with matching shoes, red gloves and her hair is tied into a ponytail. Ming takes a moment to shut her eyes and take a breath of her own.
Walking to the middle of the ring for the referees final instructions. The fighters clench their fists as they stare hard at their opponent. This fight means so much to them and they won't let anyone stay in their way right now. A swipe of gloves with their opponent before jogging to their corners. The bell rings to start 10 rounds of lightweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding!" Out they come with the battle scars on show. Ming with a bit of a fat lip, while Lily has some swelling under her right eye from their previous bouts tonight. They kick off proceedings a little tentative with single punches. Not wanting to make a mistake right out the gates.
A feint from Ming allows her to open up Lily to a left cross to her cheek before a straight lands square into her face. Lily forced to move with her back to the ropes. Firing back now as the fighters open up now the pressure value seems to have been released.
Problem for Lily is Ming is landing the crisper punches as she moves her head more and lands straight shots in reply. Lily a little too static for her own good. Leading to a little redness forming around her cheeks. The bell rings to end the opening round with Ming looking to have relaxed the quicker of the fighters.
Round 2:
They are definitely freeing up as they exchange more punches in bunches. A double jab catches Lily into her face. Ming gets caught out by a right cross on her jaw as she misses with a straight. Both gritting their gumshields as they take hits to strike back.
Dipping under a straight; Lily comes over the top with a looping left to twist the head of Ming. Seeing her chance, Lily muscles Ming into a corner to pound her body. Both fighters crews yelling at them as Ming tries to trade her way out of trouble. Exchanging till Ming realises she is better off holding to get out of danger here.
They are split apart but it's Lily the faster off the blocks to catch out her opponent with a jab square into her lips. A trickle of blood runs from the bottom lip of Xi to her chin. She swings back, it's Lily landing the better shots as she slams into Ming with her left forearm to press her back to the ropes to work. At the bell Ming scowls at Lily at she didn't appreciate the rough house style tactics. Ana reminds Ming this is for all the marbles tonight so she can't complain about Lily doing everything she can to win.
Round 3:
The fighters are showing their determination to win on their faces as they come out their corners. Lily gets a few solid shots to the torso of Ming to cause a little redness to form. Ming coming back over the top with a few cross punches in return. One landing around the right eye of Lily to open a gash under it to make the actress cry out.
Lily gets more defensively over that eye. Ming opening up more as she sees her chance to strike to the chest of Lily. Switching up her punches into the face of Lily when gaps form as Lily finds herself being pushed back around the ring.
Clinching when her back touches the turnbuckles of her own corner. Lily smartly slowing down her foes rhythm as Ming can be seen hissing in frustration. They are split up and resume with Ming wanting to keep the pressure on. Lily dips underneath a left hook to bang away at the body of Ming with piston like punches as she keeps her head down to drive the model to the ropes.
At the bell both take a breath as it has been a long night for them already. Sitting on their stools with Ming staring hard at Lily, who is getting her cut patched up by her corner. Angelica not looking too pleased by Lily getting smacked around.
Round 4:
Back out they come with Ming looking to keep her jab aimed at that cut. Meaning that Lily is having to keep her right glove close guarded there. Lily is almost a one handed fighter at the moment as Ming swings in more right hooks when she realises she won't get to the cut so easily. Both exchange at range as Ming looks zoned in as she moves back when Lily tries to charge her, firing in jabs to her chest to stop her.
A left/right cross combo pushes Lily back to the ropes. Lily again clinches quickly as Ming tries to push her off. Ming getting annoyed as she tells her opponent "get the f**k off me!" The referee helps with that cause as they break them apart. Ming tapping her gloves together keen to get back at her opponent.
But Lily shows her boxing IQ off to feint with her right as she moves back towards the ropes. Ming goes to swing a left hook in that Lily ducks under and sidesteps to Ming's left. A looping right hook smacks Ming around her ear to knock her two steps to her right. Lily sees her chance to lay in heavy leather as she rushes Ming into a neutral corner. Banging away to the torso and up to her face. Ming trying to shove her off but getting caught over the top with hooks till the bell dings.
Both exchange a few words as tempers flare up. Referee nudges them to their corners as both are proving how much they want this. Ming has some puffiness now around her left eye. Both fighters needing to be worked on by their coaches as their chests rise quicker.
Round 5:
Both women are throwing more single punches with a few flurries being exchanged. Ming getting clipped near the left eye looks to have spooked her a little but she still is moving around the ring looking content when she throws three punch combos at her opponent.
Lily feints being landing a right hook around the eye of Ming. Who cries out as she is driven back into a neutral corner. Where James whacks away at her torso to try to cut down Ming. With Xi grabbing onto the English fighter now. Both take a breather before they are pushed apart.
It looks like Lily is gaining momentum but Ming is still landing two punch combos when she sees an opening. The bell rings with both women walking back to their corners. It's clear they are hurting but showing their toughness to the world.
Round 6:
Resuming with Lily getting more aggressive again as she senses that Ming is hurting. Landing more hooks to the body before she is shoved off. A double jab smacks into the top of her opponents head. They exchange more at midrange trying to gain control of the action as the crowd roars them on.
A jab catches Ming on her chin before a right hook catches her on her cheek. Lily muscles Ming onto the ropes, drilling her punches around the stomach of Xi as the Chinese fighter groans out. Pushing Lily off and landing a left cross to the cheek of the actress to ward her off.
Ming coming back at her opponent as they exchange. Heads nearly clashing as they step in with straights that glance off their opponents. Soon ending up clinched with both sweaty bodies grinding together as they try to push each other back. The round ends with both sitting on their stools with arms on the ropes either side of them. Ming tapping her toes maybe showing a little nervousness.
Round 7:
Pushing off their stools to resume; while the pace has somewhat slowed down, both women are digging their toes into the canvas to land. Ming looks to be breathing the harder but judging by the sweat and blood coming off Lily when she hits her flush, she still is carrying power. Lily meanwhile working away on the inside when she can to try to cut down her opponent.
Near the half way point of the round, Ming catching Lily with a left hook on the cut, Lily's guard dipping as a right hook slams onto her cheek to make her stumble a step to the right. A FOLLOW UP RIGHT SENDS LILY DOWN TO HER RIGHT SIDE!
Ming's corner are jumping for joy as they sense this could be it. Ming leans in the neutral corner against the turnbuckles as the count begins. 1....2....3... Lily groans as she moves to her back. 4....5... Blood trickles down her cheek to the canvas. 6... Sitting up with a groan. 7....8... Lily pushing herself up with a nod to the referee she is okay, raising her gloves to prove that she can protect herself.
Still around a minute to go with Ming looking to finish the job. Lily boxing defensively with her jab and holding onto her foe when the heat gets too much. Ming looking furious as she wants to get a clean shot at her opponent. Lily not simply going to be a sitting duck for her, showing her wits are still there.
The bell dings with Ming nodding over to Ana as she knows not to get too worked up she didn't finish the fight now. Lily meanwhile being fanned down as her corner works hard on patching her up. Her right eye looking more puffy as she is certainly having to battle hard. So is Ming of course as ice packs are placed onto her body as redness shows over it.
Round 8:
Tiredly the two boxers get back to work. Ming being understandably more aggressive as she looks for the finish. Problem is Lily is showing good upper body movement to dodge straights to ram her fists back into the face and chest of Ming. Keeping Ming from charging through her as they trade.
A straight right lands square into the breadbasket of Ming. Who gasps as her cheeks flush red and she winces. Lily smelling blood in the water as she drives Ming into the ropes with more punches hammering her torso. Ming holding desperately as she looks to be winded and hurt. Both happy for the breather as they rest their heads on the others shoulder.
Back at it they go with Lily getting caught around her forehead by piston like punches. Lily though lands a right hook into the ribs of Xi before an overhand left smacks the model on her chin to rock her head around. The round soon ends with Lily taking a deep breath before marching back to her stool. Ming rubs her stomach as she is almost panting. Gumshield is spat out as Ming sucks in air.
Round 9:
Both willing themselves on as the crowd stands to cheer both these proud fighters on. Ming not as quick across the canvas as her feet look to be treading in cement. Lily feinting to try to get in closer, taking some hits around her face to keep her on the outside as Ming isn't going to be bulldozed over so easily.
A left hook catches Ming on her chin; opening her up to an uppercut to the body as Ming cries out. Desperately trying to hang onto Lily, Ming is pushed off into a neutral corner. WHERE LILY LANDS ANOTHER HARD HARPOON LIKE RIGHT TO THE BODY OF MING! DOWN GOES XI AS HER LEGS GIVE WAY AND SHE IS ON ALL FOURS!
Lily walks over to the neutral corner and shuts her eyes as she doesn't want to watch the count, showing her nervousness. 1....2....3... Ming spits out her gumshield as she sucks in air. 4....5... Pushing to her haunches with a whine. 6....7... Ming is rubbing her stomach to try to numb the pain. 8... Gabbing the ropes either side 9... She hasn't the strength in them, 10 meaning she is counted out!
Winner Lily James KO Round 9
After:
Lily James has made history tonight! She becomes the first ever FCBA World Cup winner as she falls to her knees. Covering her face with her gloves as she cries tears of joy. Tonight was her hardest night in boxing as she had to go through three opponents to leave with the trophy.
Of course you have to feel sorry for the losing finalist. Ming cries too as she stares at the canvas. She was so close to grabbing the glory for herself. Fought tough opponents from the first round to this final and the knockdown gave her and her supporters hope.
Over comes Ana with an ice pack to place on the torso of Ming. While she holds her close with her right arm around her back. Telling Ming "you did wonderful tonight. You made me and our stable proud." She sheds a few tears herself as she has grown a bond with her protégé.
They have to watch as Sharon and Angelica step into the ring to help up Lily. Cuddling the victor as they share their feelings. They are so happy for Lily as she raises her arms into the air and takes the applause from the crowd. They booed her to start the night for beating their hero but they damn well respect her for her performance throughout the night.
After a few minutes Ming leaves the ring with Emily DiDonato coming to check on her from the ringside area. Ming and Emily have an arm around each others waist as Ming rests her head on Emily's right shoulder. Walking slowly to the back, Emily looking back a moment to glare at Lily for stealing her friends moment. Ana holding the ice pack still to Ming's torso as Ming went through twenty two rounds tonight.
Inside the ring after Lily is patched up. An FCBA committee member in a black suit and white shirt combo has the solid gold FCBA World Cup trophy on the podium. Lily heads over fighting back more tears as she looks at it. She gets her left arm raised by the referee before Lily lifts the trophy up to a loud cheer from her supporters. She can't fight back the tears any longer as she takes in the loud roar from the crowd.
Of course Lily poses with the trophy in her hands, along with follow up photos with Sharon and Angelica either side of her. Both smiling and telling her she deserves this. The former lightweight champion looked to be in a small rut. What a way to get out of it with this victory.
Stepping out the ring with Sharon and Angelica joking they will carry the trophy for her. Lily doesn't want to release it at that moment. Lifting it up for all to see at the top of the aisle as gold confetti flies over her, along with red and white fireworks being released into the night sky outside the stadium.
congratulations to Lily of course for becoming the first World Cup tournament winner. 🎉
