FOXFIRE UNITED VS FRONT STREET JAPAN #1

Results: Knowlesey Writing: Archer

“It’s so exciting to be here,” Juno Temple has been saying to Japanese fans and press and she clearly means it. The curly haired blonde British actress has been eagerly talking (though a translator) on numerous talk shows and been posed in the gym explaining how she planned to take down Riki Ishikawa. “I’m going to just overwhelm her. She won’t be able to withstand me for long.” For her part Riki is clearly determined not to let the British boxing newcomer embarrass her on her home ground. “I like Juno, she is a cheerful person, but I do not intend to lose to her. I will fight utmost to win,”

As the opening fight on the card, the two approach the ring to near hysterical cheers, with great banners featuring huge blowups of them in fighting stances hanging from the arena ceiling. Juno has her hair pulled into a double ponytail with red silk bows, while Rika has opted for a single tight battle braid. Juno has chosen to fight in a red bikini, while Rika has chosen neon pink, red gloves for Ms. Temple, pink gloves for Ms. Ishikawa. Instructions are given as Juno seems to bounce in place, while Rika is cool, but sharp-eyed. Bell rings--the Great Foxfire United vs. Front Street Japan Battle is on!

Rd 1: Juno comes out with that now familiar bounce and heads right for Rika. The Front Street fighter lets the Foxfire blonde take the early offensive peppering her with flurries of punches that the Japanese girl blocks or deflects. Juno keeps circling, looking for an opening, but not really finding anything, she impatiently tries to force her way in. Rika’s clearly been waiting for this as she unleashes her countering jab. A hard left jab catches Juno straight on the chin and a shiver goes through her small frame as she comes to a sudden halt. Rika on this quickly swinging rights and lefts into Juno’s head forcing the Brit to cover up. Now Rika’s on the move and Juno is retreating under the swift attack. Juno remains on defensive the whole last minute, though she manages to avoid another chin shot, she’s still hit hard and often to the body. Rika takes the round.

Rd. 2: Rika out confidently in this round and immediately takes control with a driving attack. Juno seems a bit surprised to find herself being bopped again and again as she is driven backwards by the determined Japanese fighter. However the blonde gets her defense going by keeping her gloves up and jabbing with vigor. Now Rika’s turn to take some good head shots and a worried look appears on the FSJ girl’s face (big smile on Juno’s lips in response to this). Juno fighting hard to make Rika fall back and finally gets what she wants as Rika steps back. Juno keeps up pressure as seconds tick down, but she gets a bit careless and the Japanese fighter slips in an opportunistic uppercut that knocks Juno’s head back and sends a shudder through her body, but the bell rings before Rika can do any more damage. Ruled an Even Round on the cards.

Rd.3: Juno shakes off that late uppercut and comes bouncing out to start this round. She gets in tight with the model and the two exchanging a furious barrage of punches that has the crowd roaring. RIKA NAILS JUNO TO THE CHIN! It was that left jab again, slamming Juno’s chin around and making the actress reel with the shock. Rika on her girl in an instant driving Juno to the ropes and laying on the leather. Juno covers up and slides along the strands looking for an escape, but Rika cuts her off and finally Juno has to clinch to stop the onslaught. However, Rika resumes the offensive after the referee has separated them and this time the Japanese model is going after the British actress’ flanks, really putting the hurt on Juno’s ribs. Juno looks in trouble as she hunches up against this pounding and manages to ride it out to the bell. Clear round for Rika Ishikawa.

R4: Juno’s lost that bounce now and she comes out more slowly as Rika moves in with left and right combinations that catch Juno early to the head and ribs, but the blonde shows grit. Juno digs in and fights back, slowly forcing Rika back to the ropes and then seizing the initiative with straight rights and lefts into the model’s face that clearly stun Rika. Juno standing and boxing very nicely as Rika has to remain on defense. Round goes to Juno Temple--though it’s a close one.

R5: Rika clearly comes out determined to take this fight to Juno, but the British fighter not following the script. Juno able to keep the Japanese boxer at bay, dancing around her and snapping her head back with some really nice jabs. Rika’s not looking too good, especially after Juno makes a quick move that causes a Rika sweeping right to fight empty air and draws laughter from some in the crowd. Juno grins, but Rika flashes a glare of frustration and as Juno comes in, the blonde finds herself clinched (bear hugged more like it) and roughhoused up against the ropes. Referee jumps in to drag Rika back and sternly warn her. Juno seems undiscouraged and keeps right on the Japanese girl. She keeps clipping Rika’s face again and again until it is starting to swell from the damage.
Juno stays in control to take the round.

R6: Lot of energy extended in the first five stanzas, especially by Juno Temple who starts to slow down in this round. Unfortunately for her, this suits Rika Ishikawa just fine, as she is able to take her time and probe for Foxfire weakness. Finds with a SMACKING LEFT TO THE JAW that spins Juno’s head around in a spray of sweat and sends her spinning off to one side. Rika in hot pursuit, able to block Juno’s retreat and work the blonde to the body. Meaty and moist impacts slam into Juno’s body and make her tremble with each hit. Juno not dancing or prancing now, just shuffling, keeping her head down and trying desperately to hit back, but can’t land well enough to really stop Rika. Rika finally able to get Juno up against rope and work her over until Juno has to clinch repeatedly to stop it. Rika’s round.

R7: Rika feeling dominate now as she starts to stalk Juno, forcing her to the ropes with a bullying shove and then slamming some good punches into the British girl’s already aching body. Crowd anticipating that this could be the set-up for a knock out finish, but Juno shows stubborn courage. She continues to resist the Japanese girl and lands some really neat shots. Trouble is, Juno’s not got the power in her punches now and it’s not really damaging Rika. In the closing seconds, Rika buries a right uppercut deep into Juno’s belly and Juno’s knees buckle a bit, but she gets her arms around the FSJ girl and holds on to the bell. Still, it’s another round for Rika.

R8: Fans notice that Juno now has an ominous swelling under her left eye as she comes out for the eighth. Rika sees it, too and gives it special attention with her punches. Juno forced to expend her energies in defense, especially keeping her head (and that eye) protected. Unfortunately, this leaves Juno’s body open and Rika unleashes with unrelenting fury. Juno gasping, slumps forward, clinging to Rika. Ref struggles to pull the two apart, but then Rika does the job for him with three good pops to the face that makes Juno stagger backwards, gloves falling to her side and looking done. However, as Rika moves in, Juno pulls herself together and covers up. Rika’s done a lot of damage to the Foxfire blonde, but she couldn’t put her away this round, though it’s another round won by the Front Street Japan girl.

R9: Things marching steadily downhill for Juno Temple. Rika gets off to a good start by going after the actress’ swollen left eye. One--two--three---FOUR consecutive shot to the blonde’s head leaves Juno looking glassy-eyed. Rika steps back and lets Juno stagger forwards and then tags the blonde with a left hook to the chin. DOWN GOES JUNO TEMPLE! Juno on her knees, dripping sweat and shaking her head. Referee starts the count. Juno takes her time getting up, but she does to stay in the fight. Rika again tries to finish Juno off, but again the stubborn actress won’t let her. Juno clinching again and again, suffocating Rika’s finishing efforts, while almost protecting that swollen left eye (and cheek now). Rika looking very frustrated is only able to get away from Juno in the closing thirty seconds and she uses these to get through to the British girl with three solid shots to body. Juno doubling over, a look of agony on her face, but she stays on her feet to the bell. Rika takes the round.

R10: Juno looking exhausted, her red hair ribbons are dangling down as ponytails unraveled, Her bikini is soaked with sweat and droplets of blood. Her body is reddened with what will surely be heaving bruising and her face (especially that left eye and cheek) are swollen. Still, the Foxfire rookie is not giving up. She holds, clinches and generally frustrates Rika again and again. Rika despite looking tired and lumped up herself, feel she has this fight won, so she seems inclined to just let the clock run out. Then Juno spots it: Rika is open and into this gap the British blonde fires a burst of punches with both gloves and catches Rika full in the face! Rika lurches back, blood suddenly spurting from her nose and Juno unleashes a right hook. Rika’s head whips around and her whole body corkscrews after it! RIKA ISHIKAWA IS DOWN! Rika gets up but she looks shellshocked and ripe for the taking. Juno hustles in with a good old fashioned one two to the head, but Rika now goes to the clinch to keep Juno from getting to her. Ref breaks them up. Juno with the desperate hope she can snatch a knockout victory throws herself at the shaken Japanese fighter. A good left hook to the chin raises Rika up on her tiptoes, but the FSJ fighter wraps herself around Juno to stay on her feet. The referee again pulls them apart, but now Rika’s gone into full defensive face-in-gloves mode and Juno is unable to hurt her again as the round and the fight ends. Round is Juno’s, but the fight itself goes to Rika Ishikawa an a UD10.

After: Both fighters burst into tears--Juno’s in defeat, Rika’s in victory. Both girls fought their hearts out and Rika plainly the better fighter tonight. Juno wipes away her tears to go over and give Rika a hug. Later she tells press:

“She licked me fair and square, but I hope I get another shot at her some day.”

The victorious Rika Ishikawa says: “She fought me hard the whole way through. I really thought she was finished in the tenth, but she caught me napping and nearly knocked me out. Fight her again? Of course, but the outcome will still be the same: I am the beter fighter.”

Home town crowd is delighted that Front Japan now up 1-0 over the visiting Foxfire United team.