#punchoutoc

The crowd roared in response, their anticipation reaching a boiling point.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and "Queendom" by Moana A blasted through the speakers. Reina Adora stepped into the spotlight, her eyes hidden behind her luchadora mask. The crowd's reaction was immediate; boos and jeers filled the air, but Reina reveled in it. Ah, the sweet sound of envy. They wish they could be me.

Her corner followed closely behind her, Maria holding an iPad, capturing every moment. Reina strutted down the aisle, her every step oozing arrogance. She climbed into the ring, posing on the turnbuckle, soaking in the disdain like it was adoration. This is my kingdom now. These peasants should be grateful to witness my greatness.

Backstage, Skye paced nervously, her eyes darting around as she listened to her coach Vanessa

"Remember, Skye, stick to the game plan. You’ve got the speed and the footwork. Make that ring your dance floor."

Skye nodded, her eyes meeting Vanessa's. "I know, Coach."

Reina's music faded, replaced by the iconic guitar riff of "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour. 

Vanessa looked at Skye, her eyebrows raised, "This song? Really?"

Skye grinned, her eyes shining. "Hey, if this is my only shot in the WVBA, I'm gonna do it right."

Vanessa smiled back, her eyes filled with pride. "Then let's do it right."

Skye stepped onto the stage, and for a moment, she was awestruck. The crowd was cheering…  for her. She dropped to one knee, looking down as her right glove brushed the ground. When she looked up, Vanessa had her wrist in front of Skye like she had asked to look at her coach’s watch.

Skye looked up at Vanessa and smiled. Then she stood up and yelled, "It's clobberin' time!" before heading down the aisle to the ring. This is really happening. I'm here, in the WVBA, about to fight. Holy crap, this is awesome.

As she approached ringside, her eyes caught sight of familiar faces—Glass Joe, Cutie, Star, and Niki were all there, holding up signs. Glass Joe’s read “Coeur de Lionne.” Cutie’s read “Windy City Wonder,” while Niki’s read “Time to Dance!” Then, there was Mika’s. “Chi-Town Tough.”

Skye felt her eyes well up, but she blinked back the tears. Oh my God, they're here. They're actually here for me. 

Vanessa leaned in, her voice full of encouragement. "You see that, Skye? You've got an army behind you. Now go show lucha chick how we do things in Chicago."

Skye nodded, her eyes meeting Vanessa's. "You got it, Coach!"

With that, Skye climbed into the ring, her eyes locking onto Reina. The crowd's cheers reached a crescendo as Skye danced around the ring, soaking in the adoration.

Reina’s eyes narrowed, never leaving Skye as the rookie moved toward her corner. She thinks she's a star. Soaking up cheers like a desperate child seeking approval. How quaint.

Skye started loosening up, her eyes never leaving Reina's. Reina smirked, running her thumb across her throat.

Skye's heart raced, but she didn't let it show. She wants to intimidate me? Nah, girl. Curtain’s up. Showtime.

Jazzy's voice captured the attention of the sold-out crowd as the music faded. "Ladies and gentlemen, we start off the evening with a Women's Circuit bout scheduled for three rounds! Your referee for this bout is Daisy Coroa!"

The crowd began to buzz as the formalities got underway.

Reina’s eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Skye, as she flexed her hands in her gloves. Meanwhile, Skye’s eyes scanned the arena, taking in the moment before settling on Reina, all the while, bouncing and staying loose.

"Introducing first, in the red corner, standing 5 feet 4 inches and weighing in at 143 pounds, fighting out of Tijuana, Mexico, she had a professional record of 7 wins, 3 losses, and 5 wins by way of knockout. Presenting 'La Realeza del Anillo,' Reina Adora!"

The crowd's reaction was a mix of cheers and boos, mostly boos, but Reina soaked it in, raising her arms and turning in a slow circle to face all sides of the arena. She then blew a disdainful kiss to the crowd, her eyes cold and unyielding.

She's soaking it in like she's already won, Skye thought, her fists clenched. I can't wait to wipe that smug look off her face.

"And her opponent, in the blue corner. She stands 5 feet 5 inches, weighed in at 118 pounds. Fighting out of the Windy City, Chicago, Illinois, making her professional debut, she is 'Chi-Town Tough,' Skye Ivy!"

The crowd roared in approval, and Skye felt a surge of energy. She raised her gloved fists high, bouncing lightly on her toes, and then pointed to the crowd, mouthing "Thank you!"

Ah, the people love an underdog, Reina mused, her lips curling into a smirk. You won’t be their darling for long, chica.

Referee Daisy Coroa called both fighters to the center of the ring. "Alright, ladies, we went over the instructions in the locker room. I expect a clean fight. Listen to my commands at all times and protect yourselves at all times. Got it?"

Reina leaned in close to Skye, her eyes locked onto hers. "Espero que estés lista, niña. This is my ring, and you're just a guest."

Skye met Reina's gaze, unflinching. "Well, you know what they say about guests, right? They sometimes overstay their welcome."

Reina chuckled. "Cute. But I'm not in the mood for games."

"And I'm not in the mood to back down," Skye retorted.

Daisy intervened, "Alright, that's enough talk, ladies. Touch gloves and go back to your corners."

As they touched gloves, Reina spotted Mika, Niki, Cutie, and Glass Joe in the crowd. "Ah, the little fan club! Enjoy the show, darlings. It’ll be a quick one!" Reina blew them a sarcastic kiss as she sauntered back to her corner, eliciting boos from the crowd.

In Skye's corner, Vanessa saw the nerves in her eyes. "Skye, listen to me. You've got this. You've trained hard, and you're ready. Now go out there and show everyone what 'Chi-Town Tough' really means."

Vanessa inserted Skye's mouthpiece, and Skye bit down on it. "Thank you, Coach. Thank you for believing in me. I wouldn’t be here without you."

Vanessa smiled, her eyes meeting Skye's. "Heart of a lion, kid. Now get out there and roar."

Both fighters started warming up in their respective corners. Reina threw a few air punches, her eyes locking onto Skye's. She's nervous. Good. She should be. She has no idea what’s coming.

Reina smiled as she punched her gloves together before kissing her right glove and holding it out threateningly toward Skye.

Skye simply smirked and threw a series of quick jabs and hooks into the air, her eyes never leaving Reina's. This is my moment. My stage. And I'm ready to dance.

Esta niña no sabe con quién se está metiendo, Reina thought, her irritation growing. Her eyes narrowed and she sneered, “You think this is a dance recital, chica?”

“Nah, queenie, it’s a dance class,” Skye quipped, her eyes shining as she fired a couple of quick jabs that caught Reina off guard. Her gloves connected with Reina's face, snapping her head back slightly, as the crowd roared approval, fueling the rookie’s confidence. Get mad, Reina. Come on. Give me daylight, just a sliver.

Reina's eyes flared. She's trying to make a fool of me. Anger clouding her judgment, she lunged forward, throwing a jab followed by an uppercut, but Skye's shifting rhythm and footwork made her elusive. Skye slipped the jab and narrowly avoided the uppercut, making Reina's gloves slice through the air.

Daylight! Skye’s right glove slammed into Reina's temple while she was off balance. Reina’s eyes glazed, she froze still for a moment, and Skye wasted no time. The rookie unleashed a flurry of red leather, targeting both Reina's head and body. A jab and hook to the head, an uppercut and hook to the body, and finally a left hook on the chin.

Reina shook her head, trying to clear the fog. No puede ser, she thought, enraged. She swung a wild right hook, putting all her weight behind it. Skye saw it coming and sent her right hand straight into Reina’s nose. Reina’s eyes watered, her knees buckled.

Skye’s eyes lit up as she felt electricity in her hands, Chicago stars sparkling bright red around her gloves. She popped a couple of quick jabs to Reina’s nose, keeping her vision blurry, making sure the luchadora was stunned. Her eyes locked onto Reina’s, “Ready for the Whirlwind?”

With a dancer’s grace and gymnast’s strength, Skye coiled her body and drew her right hand back. The stars grew brighter as she unleashed a right hook to Reina’s jaw. As Reina’s head snapped to the side, Skye let the follow through carry her into a graceful pirouette and delivered a spinning back-fist with her left, then finished her spin with a devastating right hook, Chi-town stars flashing brighter with each impact and before blinking out.

The momentum and power of Skye’s Windy City Whirlwind sent Reina staggering into the ropes, her body limp and swaying. Only the ropes kept her off the canvas.

“Now, Skye!” Vanessa yelled from her corner, sensing the end was near, “Put her away!”

Skye rushed toward Reina, her eyes narrowed and gloves clinched, “Here’s beatdown from Chi-town!” Skye unleashed a flurry of blows to her foe. Jabs, hooks, and a hard uppercut all rocked Reina, snapping her head in every direction.

Reina leaned into the ropes, her vision blurry, but clearing. No, this isn’t how this ends. This niña doesn’t get to finish me. With an audible snarl, Reina grabbed Skye and pulled her close in a clinch.

“No freebies this time, your highness,” Skye trapped Reina's arms, ready and preventing any cheap shots.

Referee Coroa stepped in to break the clinch. "Break it up, ladies! Break!"

As they separated, Reina clipped Skye’s chin with a swift left hook. "Oops," she smirked.

"Watch it, Adora! Break clean when I say break," the referee admonished before shouting, "Now box!"

From her corner, Skye heard her coach, "Skye, stay cool! Keep the pressure on!" Skye nodded, frustration mounted but her cool intact.

Alright, let's get her back to those ropes. She maneuvered around Reina and unloaded another flurry. Reina was able to catch most of the punches on her gloves, but a few landed clean and the force pushed her back to the strands.

Reina used the tension of the ropes to spring forward and clinch Skye again, this time pulling Skye's back to the referee. "Not so clever, chica," she breathed, shooting a pair of hard elbows into Skye's ribs.

"Ref! Did you see that?" Vanessa shouted, but the referee was on the other side and didn't catch the foul. “Those were elbows! Plural!”

Skye winced, feeling the sharp pain in her ribs. That hurt, you bit—

With a shove, Reina pushed Skye back to the center of the ring and began to circle her. "Told you, novata, you’re out of your league," Reina sneered.

Skye took a deep breath, ignoring the ache in her ribs. "Nah, girl. I’m right where I belong."

The two circled, sweat dripping from their brows, chests heaving with each breath. They had two opponents now, each other and fatigue.

She's still moving well, but I can see my body shots are taking their toll, Reina thought, her eyes narrowing as she watched Skye's feet dance across the canvas.

Skye started jabbing, her gloves snapping out like a whip. She was trying to keep her distance, to recover and find her rhythm again. Just gotta keep my distance. Use the jab, Skye, and breathe.

Reina deflected the jabs with her gloves, her eyes never leaving Skye's. Slowly but surely, she began cutting off the ring, herding Skye toward the corner.

You’re slowing down, querida, Reina thought. With a burst of speed, Reina threw a jab followed by a heavy right hook and a left uppercut. Skye bobbed and weaved, her body bending almost impossibly as she avoided each punch. But despite her evasive maneuvers, she was losing ground.

With a smirk, Reina shoved Skye hard into the corner. "This is where you belong, chica!"

Even with limited space, Skye was nimble. She ducked a hook and swayed to the side of an uppercut. A classic one-two caught her cheek, but she leaned into a hook meant for ribs and took it on her arm.

Wait for it, wait for it, Skye thought, her eyes scanning Reina's movements for an opening. She saw it—a slight drop in Reina's right hand. Now! Skye slipped a straight right and was quick to launch an uppercut straight at Reina’s chin.

Reina was quicker. She faded back from the uppercut and leaned all her weight into a straight left. “Gotcha now, chica.” A malicious smile tugged at Reina’s lips when she felt a satisfying crunch as her glove met Skye’s face.

Oh hell. Not good. Skye’s eyes watered, blurry green leather filling her vision.

Blood trickled from Skye’s nose and Reina’s smile grew wider. Just a little more, niñita. A pair of hooks took Skye’s breath, then an uppercut rocked her jaw and a straight right turned the trickle to a bloody stream.

As the rookie’s knees threatened to buckle, a crimson crown started glowing around the knuckles of Reina’s gloves. Almost there, the lights are fading. Her eyes danced with sadistic glee as three more blows, hooks batting Skye’s head to one side then the other, all struck home.

“Focus, Skye! Hands up! Come on!” Vanessa yelled at her girl, trying to will her on. “Come on.”

With a cruel sneer, Reina grabbed Skye by the shoulders and whipped her around to the center of the ring. "Look at me when I finish you!" Reina screamed, then, without warning, she headbutted Skye.

Skye's head snapped back, her eyes crossing instantly. Wha… I can't... where...

“Dammit, Adora!” Referee Daisy Coroa stepped in. "Keep it clean!"

Reina ignored the warning, her eyes locked onto Skye's glazed gaze. "Adiós, niña." With a kiss to her glowing right glove, she sprinted to the ropes, springboarded off the third one, and flew back toward Skye like a guided missile, her fist cocked back.

Skye barely had time to register what was happening before Reina's fist connected squarely with her jaw. The force of the punch sent her staggering back, and she fell to the canvas, eyes closed, out cold before she even hit the mat.

Reina stood over her fallen opponent, a triumphant smile on her face. "Count her out, ref. She's done."

“Neutral corner, Adora!” Daisy Coroa was seething, but knelt beside Skye and started the count. "One! Two! Three!"

Reina strutted to the neutral corner, climbing onto the second rope and raising her arms in victory. "¡Soy la Reina! ¡La única Reina!" she shouted to the crowd, basking in their jeers and boos.

"Four! Five! Six!"

Reina's eyes flicked back to Skye, who lay motionless on the canvas, and she whispered to herself, “Niña dura, but you never had a chance.”

"Seven! Eight! Nine!"

"Looks like your alumna couldn't handle me," Reina sneered, directing her taunt toward Skye's corner where Vanessa stood, her face a mask of concern and barely contained fury.

"Ten! That’s it! It’s over!"

Skye Ivy lay motionless on the canvas, her eyes closed, her face a portrait of vulnerability as the referee, Daisy Coroa, waved her arms, signaling the end of the match. "Doc, get in here,” Daisy called out, concern in her voice.

Reina leapt off the ropes, her arms raised in triumph. "¡Soy la reina! ¡Nadie puede vencerme! ¡Nadie!" She paraded around the ring, soaking in a handful of cheers and an overwhelming multitude of jeers.

Doctor Wakada quickly rolled into the ring, his medical bag in hand. Skye’s coach Vanessa rushed in, too, her face etched with worry and anger. 

From their ringside seats, Niki, Cutie, Mika, and Joe all exchanged worried glances. Mika's hands were clenched, her knuckles white. "Diyos ko, she has to be okay," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Oui, she is a fighter. She will be alright," Glass Joe reassured her, although his own face was clouded with concern.

Reina, impatient for her moment of glory, turned to the referee. "What are you waiting for? Raise my hand, arbitra."

Daisy, however, stayed by Skye's side, her attention focused on the young fighter and the medical team attending to her.

Infuriated, Reina shoved the referee aside. "I said, raise my hand! Now!"

That was the last straw for Vanessa. She sprang to her feet, her eyes blazing. She got right into Reina's face. "One more move and you'll have me to deal with."

“I’m the boxeadora that just knocked out your girl and her dreams,” Reina smiled, “and you’re retired.”

Vanessa’s eyes narrowed dangerously, “I can change that real quick… chica.”

Daisy quickly stepped between them, her eyes stern. "Enough. You’re professionals. Act like it."

Reina smirked, her eyes locking onto Vanessa's. "Next time, teach your alumna how to take a punch and maybe she won’t fall asleep during a match."

“Not the time or the place, Coach,” Daisy whispered, turning to face Vanessa. “Your girl needs you.”

Vanessa turned her attention back to Skye, who was now being carefully examined by Doctor Wakada.

Finally, Daisy walked over to Reina, her face stern but professional. "Winner," she said, raising Reina's hand high and pointing to Reina to make it official.

The ring announcer took the microphone, his voice filling the arena. "Ladies and gentlemen, the winner by knockout in 2 minutes and 19 seconds of the second round, ‘La Realeza del Anillo’ Reina Adora!"

The crowd erupted, a cacophony of cheers and boos filling the arena. Reina raised her arms, soaking in the adulation and disdain with equal relish. She had won, and that was all that mattered.

Doctor Wakada knelt beside Skye, his experienced hands quickly assessing her condition. "Vanessa, her vitals are stable. She's unconscious and has a broken nose, but she's going to be okay. We’ll check her for a concussion in the infirmary." He reached into his medical bag and pulled out a small bottle of smelling salts.

“Thank God,” Vanessa sighed in relief.

Wakada waved the smelling salts under Skye's nose. Her eyes fluttered open, and she groaned. "Ugh, what hit me?"

At that moment, Gabby Jay, WVBA’s Head of Talent Relations, stepped into the ring, joining the referee Daisy Coroa. "Reina, I would like you to proceed to the locker room immediately."

Reina's eyes widened in disbelief. "¿Qué? You want me to leave? This is my ring. Just call a stretcher for that." She gestured disdainfully toward Skye.

Gabby Jay's eyes narrowed, and his voice dropped to a whisper that somehow carried more weight than a shout. "Non, Reina. This isn’t your ring and I said leave. Now."

Reina smirked but said nothing, exiting the ring and making her way to the locker room.

Wakada was now holding a cloth to Skye's nose, staunching the flow of blood. Skye was sitting up, still trying to piece together what had happened. "Coach, what went down? Last thing I remember, I was about to dodge a punch."

Vanessa sighed, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. "No, sweetheart, you got hit by a headbutt and La Corona Crush. Knocked out cold. But you're going to be okay."

Gabby Jay turned his attention back to Skye. "Can you stand, young lady?" 

Skye looked up to Gabby, “I think so, sir.” Wakada nodded, and Vanessa helped him get Skye to her feet as Gabby signaled for ring announcer Jazzy Jamboree to join them in the ring.

"Mesdames et Messieurs,” Gabby began, his voice tinged with emotion. "I want to take a moment to talk about this young woman standing beside me. Skye Ivy took this fight on just a week's notice after Reina's original opponent was injured. She's not even a signed fighter; she's a trainee. And yet, she showed us all something tonight. She showed us heart, determination, and a level of skill that belies her experience."

The crowd's cheers intensified, filling the arena with a deafening roar. Skye looked at Vanessa, her eyes filling with tears. "I can't handle this right now, Coach."

Vanessa squeezed her shoulder. "You may have lost the fight, but you earned respect. Take your roses, Skye."

"But this fight has shown me one thing," Gabby continued. He reached into his sports coat and pulled out a folded bundle of papers. "Skye Ivy, you're no trainee. This is a WVBA Boxer Contract, and it has your name on it. All it needs is your signature."

The crowd's reaction was electric, a tidal wave of cheers and applause that seemed to shake the foundations of the arena. Skye looked at Vanessa, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Is this for real?"

Vanessa's eyes were shining with pride. "It's as real as it gets, kid."

Gabby Jay produced a pen and handed it to Skye. "Would you like to make it official, jeune femme?"

Skye turned to Vanessa. "Coach, can you get these gloves off me? I've got a contract to sign."

With trembling hands, Vanessa quickly unlaced Skye's gloves and pulled them off. Gabby handed Skye the contract and pen, and Vanessa offered her back for Skye to bear down on. With tears of joy streaming down her face, Skye signed her name on the dotted line.

Gabby Jay took the signed contract and beamed at Skye. "Skye Ivy, welcome to the WVBA. You've earned it."

With a nod from Gabby, security let Mika, Joe, Niki, and Cutie through the guardrail and they rushed into the ring, joining Vanessa in enveloping Skye in a group hug. 

Mika’s voice was choked with emotion. "Skye, nagawa mo! I'm so proud of you!"

Glass Joe added, his French accent thickening with emotion. "Ah, Skye, you have shown le cœur d’un championne tonight!"

Vanessa looked at her young protégé, her eyes filled with a mother's pride. "Skye, you've got a bright future ahead of you. And this is just the beginning."

Skye looked around at her friends, her coach, and the cheering crowd, and for the first time, she felt like she truly belonged. "Thanks, guys. I couldn't have done it without you.” With her eyes still wet with tears, Skye looked to her coach, “Coach, I know you’ve got a business back home, but… I was just…”

Vanessa took Skye’s hand and squeezed, “Where else would I be? Besides, it’s a small league and, at some point, there’s gonna be a rematch.”