July 2025 (RC 1507)

The fight had been a clash of raw power against quicksilver agility, each round escalating, each exchange testing the limits of both women. Neither yielded dominance, but the crowd felt the stakes rise with every strike. ........ Then came the sixth round—just before the interval break. Lara found her opening. A sharp, precise counter sent shockwaves through Tiana’s defense, forcing her into the corner. The crowd roared as Lara’s final flurry connected. Tiana staggered, her breath hitching, a crimson stream spilling from her nose and running over her lips. Even so, her frame stood firm—unyielding. Lara, though breathing hard, had weathered the storm of Tania’s brutal strength, her movements still guided by that same nimble, relentless rhythm. Jalya crouched in front of Lara, the faint scent of antiseptic still hanging between them. She’d just finished tending to her fighter, but worry still clouded her eyes. “Lara… can we stop?” The words were soft, almost swallowed by the roar of the audience. Lara said nothing. Her gaze stayed locked on Tiana across the ring—cold, sharp, unwavering. That silence was an answer in itself. Jalya exhaled slowly, understanding. There would be no surrender. Not here. Not from her. Lara leaned back against her corner, arms stretched along the ropes, shoulders steady despite the burn in her lungs. Her legs shifted slightly, restless—an unconscious echo of her agility. Across the ring, Tiana stood half-bent, gripping the ropes on either side, her chest expanding wide as she struggled to pull in air. Blood still streamed from her nose, dripping onto the canvas in small, dark splatters. Her eyes closed for a beat, jaw tightening against the throbbing pain at her temples, but her stance never broke. The air inside the venue felt heavier now—thick with anticipation. Everyone watching could sense it. When the bell rang again, maybe one of them would still be standing?? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tiana (Red Corner) Lara (Blue Corner) Jalya (Lara's Corner-mate) Commissioned by Armstrong