(Results: Lookout!, Words: Caspian)

5. Kelsey Merritt vs Lorena Rae

Kelsey:
(24, 5’8, 3:1 FCBA, Odds & Ends Fight Studio)

Lorena:
(27, 5’11, 2:3 FCBA, Black Eagle Boxing)

BEFORE:
“Spoiler alert, but wow! Adriana’s a powerhouse, isn’t she?” the lovely Kelsey Merritt says first from the press table, her baby-brown eyes sparkling wide with wonder. “It was a bittersweet moment when I found out that I was going to be an entrant in the tourney. On one hand, I’m proud to represent my new stable and make it to the very end. On the other, I’m secretly dreading the prospect of fighting Adriana at one point. But I’m gonna give it my all tonight!”

The recent addition to the Victoria’s Secret modeling roster is still bright and bubbly, her long, straight hair polished and flowing down both shoulders. Her opponent tonight is seeded equally, and also a relative newcomer to the boxing scene. Lorena Rae has made some heads turned over in the BBU, the German girl keeping things cordial as she responds in kind:

“I feel the same way as Kelsey, to be honest. There’s plenty of good fighters in this year’s tournament. I’m going to give it my all as well, though I think the two of us are something of wildcards and underdogs. Still, you can bet we’re gonna put on a show for our fans tonight!”

Ladies come together for the official staredown, and it’s one of the more cordial, respectful ones of this entire tournament thus far. Lorena and Kelsey meet each other with raised fists to the chest and confident smiles on their faces, before shaking hands and wishing the other luck for the coming storm.

Later, we’re back in the arena and the ring, Lorena in a white bra and briefs set, black gloves swung by her side. Kelsey has gone for satin violet, showing off her toned and lean body as she raises red gloves at the sound of her name. There’s the referee’s wave of the hand and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Lightweight action!

ROUND 1:
Both ladies with plenty of energy but Lorena’s the one landing the more accurate shots, trading jabs from afar but the German’s aggression ensures her hand being shoved into the Filipino-American’s face more often. Kelsey lets out a couple of yelps as she tries to battle back, storming hands thrown into Lorena’s guard, but the German takes them with barely a flinch before tossing her foe’s head back with another snap of a hand to the nose. Kelsey has no choice but to back away for now, her arms fully up and focusing on blocking instead, as Lorena presses her advantage and continues wailing away on her guard till the bell rings.

ROUND 2:
Merritt shows off what she’s learnt thus far in the Odds and Ends studio, skirting the perimeter instead of meeting her German counterpart in the center of the ring to throw hands. Fine by Lorena, who takes the ground with eagerness and then continues shocking combos into Kelsey’s arms, probably thinking this match is going her way a little too easily. Middle minute passes, however, before Lorena takes a hit straight to the face, another right hand stinging the nose as Merritt’s speed and agility begin to shine through, the Asian American model easily weaving around Lorena’s attacks before paying her back with crisp one-two combos that snap her head back. Rae lets out a final shout of pain as another glove catches her on the lips, making her wince and fall back, and the tables have been turned indeed, with Merritt given chase for the remainder of the round, headhunting the German all the way back across the ring and to the bell.

ROUND 3:
Girls have gotten a feel of each other and the action sort of evens out this round: Kelsey and Lorena repeatedly scooting in to CLASH in a flash of flying hands and grunts, taking turns to stick jabs into the face and swing hooks to the body before backing away, breathing hard. It’s an interesting face-off of common styles and builts, and it may just boil down to who wants the win more and which girl has the greater experience. Lorena determined to score a big win as she pesters Kelsey to the head over and over, more accurate combos catching the cheek or slammed into the forehead, but Merritt is actively going after the body and chest, occasionally snagging her own hook off the chin to even things out towards the end of the round.

ROUND 4:
Lorena takes the lead again after scoring a straight hand off Kelsey’s forehead early, sending her into an early tailspin. Kelsey backing away, looking hurt, but her arms taking the brunt of the follow-up attacks as Rae tries to pin her down against the ropes with more drilling tummy shots. Merritt for the first time in the fight looks a little frazzled, her brows knitted as she keeps her guard high to fend off another hook or two, but Rae alternates her shots high and low, taking another scoop of tummy flesh as one of the German’s hooks lands hard. Third minute and we’re seeing more clinches in the middle of the ring, Kelsey opting to wrap up with arms over the arm or shoulders, trying to bully Rae back any way she can. Lorena has no answer, for now, snarling and huffing into her fellow model’s cheek and banging more leather off her sides. Bell rings and at least Kelsey stays standing, and both ladies head back to their corners looking tired.

ROUND 5:
Lorena storms in to try and finish the job, and the first couple of seconds see the German some success as she tosses Kelsey’s head back with a ringin’ right hand to the noggin’. Kelsey, however, quickly rallies, raises her arms to deflect the rest of the attacks, bites back with a snap uppercut to the chin just as Rae leaps in to finish, throwing her foe’s head upwards as well with a mighty lunge and grunt. Suddenly, Rae has been stopped in her tracks, reeling backwards and trying to stay afloat… HERE COMES MERRITT, storming inwards with her head low and arms flying: Lorena’s getting shattered and shocked as the punches land all over her body and arms, throwing her further backwards in agony! Lorena eats another straight cross to the chin, which FINALLY throws her off her feet! DOWN SHE GOES!! Rae collapses to her side, looking dazed as she struggles to even lift her head from the cold canvas! Referee gives her a full ten-count to recover, but it’s not enough, with the Black Eagle huntress staying on all fours till the end! There’s the bell and it’s OVER!!

Official Decision: Kelsey Merritt defeats Lorena Rae via KO5!

AFTER:
A BIG win for the Odds and Ends newbie, with Rae leaping into the air with a giant smile on her face. She may not be the tallest or leanest Victoria’s Secret Angel, but as one of the latest ladies to join the roster, she definitely has the most potential and the eye of everyone in the arena.

Lorena is busy licking her wounds in one corner, her face coloured red as she responds to the medical team best she can. Not a great feeling to have been knocked out in a boxing match, and least of all in the first round of a boxing tournament.

“I’m well on my way to the very top,” Kelsey says first, that smile still etched across her face. “I’m happy to make it to the next round, though things might definitely get awkward once I head backstage. But that fight against Adriana is something to worry about another day. For tonight, the drinks are on me!”