(Results: Vassago, Words: Caspian)

Diana Korkunova:
(24, 5’5, 22:6 BBU, SIRENs)

Sommer Ray:
(24, 5'6, BBU Debut, Free Agent)

BEFORE:
It’s the very first fight of the year for Diana Korkunova, but also the ex-champion’s very first fight in the BBU since dropping the Flyweight belt to the dominant and scary Zara Holland. At the very mention of the name of the girl who beat her last, Diana bristles at the press table, looking uncomfortable as she responds to reporters.

“Look, I had a good title run, okay? I… respect Zara and all credit goes to her for winning. I needed some time to reevaluate my priorities, but now I’m back and hungry for a win. What Holland does with the belt is up to her, but let’s just say I wasn’t feeling 100% going into that fight last year, but I definitely feel 110% tonight going up against Sommer.” 

Sommer Ray is of course one of the modern day “influences” on social media platforms, doing well enough in her debut performance against Alyssa Lynch a few years back, now crossing over to the BBU to try and make her mark. 

The blonde lets out a laugh after hearing Diana’s comments from across the room. “She’s what, lost three fights in a row now? If it were any other stable, she’d be in danger of getting fired. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a privilege to go up against an ex-champion, but it’d also be a pleasure to smack her around.” 

Ladies square up on stage and DIana’s clear not a fan of the American blonde either. Both girls are the same height, though Sommer’s definitely more toned and lean. Blonde continues smirking in brunette’s face, Diana staying stoic and ignoring the taunts for now before the ring official separates them with a hand down the middle.

Hours later, we’re in the ring and ready for ten rounds of Bantamweight action: Diana in the blue corner, light coloured gloves and in a navy-coloured bikini. Sommer going for classic black bikini and red gloves as both ladies nod to the ref they’re ready. There goes the bell and HERE WE GO!

ROUND 1:
Early leap forward from Sommer Ray and it’s crystal clear the American blonde ain’t playing around! She gets the jump on Diana in the opening seconds of the round, flying in and landing a superwoman punch to the arms to drive her back. Diana wasn’t expecting such an early, aggressive assault, immediately wilts in the face of it as she stops her advance and retreats, getting pummeled on the arms on the way back. Sommer relentless and trying to score an early upset here, getting in close and swinging away to the arms and head, knocking Diana about without much resistance. If this is the way the fight is going, Diana’s clear in trouble as the ex-champion struggles to find her resurgence to the bell.

ROUND 2: 
Sommer continues to use her superior reach to land punches from afar, this time moving slightly more cautiously as she keeps a bigger distance but also lands more jabs and combos to Diana’s arms and body. Korkunova a few inches shorter but at least she’s fighting back (or trying to) this round, returning with jabs of her own into the blonde’s body, but unable to land her bigger hooks due to Ray’s distance from her. Closer round indeed compared to the first but Diana has trouble getting in close or squeezing jabs past the blonde’s tight defences. Ray smirking behind her arms as she backtracks in the last minute, controls the ex-champ well with jabs tagging her on the face till the bell. 

ROUND 3: 
Sommer has all the advantage going for her thus far, taking the first two rounds and confident of taking the final eight. Ray soars in once more, hoping to surprise Diana with another blitz attack. However, this time, Diana’s ready and waiting for her, blocks the first strikes to her arms, braces a body attack Sommer reaches and swings a hook into her side, then RIIIIPS a right hook clean across the blonde’s face! OUCH!! Sommer left shocked and sputtering, her head thrown to the side in agony, and HERE COMES DIANA!! Blonde girl gets a taster of her own as the Siren steps in and buries a fist into her belly, continues to bat and swing at her arms as she drives the newcomer backwards. Sommer left in tatters, trying to maintain distance but Diana stays on top of her all the way to the bell, the Siren letting a smile loose and wide to the cheers when the bell rings.

ROUND 4: 
It’s certainly turning into one hell of a fight here as both girls meet in the center once more. Diana taking preemptive steps forward, testing Sommer’s defences with step-in combos that slam into her arms. But Ray looking rock solid this time, always a step ahead of Diana as she keeps her distance and her arms tight over her face. Couple of reaching blows tag her on the tummy, but they don’t bother Ray too much - Sommer first knocking a blow into Diana’s nose, throwing her head back with an UGHH. Diana with her lips parted as another and another straight hand strikes hard, sending her stumbling back in disarray. Methodical dismantling her as Ray steps in after and BLASTS a right hand into the chin, AND DOWN THE EX-CHAMPION GOES, Diana flattened onto her back with that KNOCKDOWN of a cross hand! How about that, ladies and gent, the challenger scoring a round four KO in dominant fashion! Sommer certainly looks pleased with herself, strutting back to neutral corner with her hands raised, whilst Diana’s left squirming off her back and onto all fours, her head shaking with pain as she struggles to rise back up. SIRENs corner however shouting their encouragement from the apron, and their star attraction finally manages to steady herself at the count of 8. This fight’s going the distance, that’s for sure!

ROUND 5: 
More aggression from Ray as she looks to knock her opponent down permanently this time: fast movements forward as Ray throws jab combos to the head and alternates with body attacks, as Diana covers up and tries to survive. But the Siren is handling it well for someone who just got knocked on her ass - she stays focused and anticipates Ray’s attacks whenever she can, scooting away backwards or swerving to avoid an uppercut thrown haphazardly towards her chin. Counter-punching efforts now as Sommer takes a hit to the middle of her face, another one-two punches stinging the lips as Diana shows her what real boxing is about. Ray getting pinched and withered down one punch at a time, and it’s clear her efforts to force Diana onto her back are not bearing fruit. Round ends and it’s a clear advantage to Korkunova, who stays in contention for the win.

ROUND 6: 
Diana looking hungry as she marches in and starts hurting Sommer to the body, Sommer locking arms over her head but her tummy taking a pounding with lunging left and right shots, Diana suddenly throwing herself all in as she raps another right hook across the arms, sending the blonde reeling. Ray hoping to regroup near the ropes but doesn’t have much time to recover as Diana stays on her tail like newlyweds on a mattress, HAMMERS another shot to the forehead and DOWN SOMMER GOES! Ray absolutely CLOTHESLINED onto her back by that number as Diana huffs and puffs above her fallen form! KNOCKDOWN for Diana Korkunova! Sommer stays flat on her back for half the count, chest heaving and draping an arm tiredly over her face, but slowly begins to stir, push her body up one foot at a time to recover by 8! This fight’s ongoing, folks! There’s still a minute and a half left on the clock and Diana looks ready to MARCH in once more! Poor Ray continues to suffer in close quarters, no amount of clincing up or jabs to Diana’s face seem to deter the young brunette, who’s clearly out for blood. Diana ramming another straight punch into the gut, folding Ray over, then taking out her remaining frustration with solid lefts and rights, smacking the head this way and then. And STILL the referee refuses to intervene - it’s FINE by Diana, who mutters the word “BITCH!” in a last fit of rage as she FLOORS Sommer once again before the bell, right hook PACKED into her cheek as Sommer Ray goes flying down for the second time this round, but absolutely knocked out cold! It’s over!! There’s no getting up from that one!

Official Decision: Diana Korkunova defeats Sommer Ray via KO6! 

AFTER:
Surprising turn of events for Diana, who’s growing a little unhinged in recent days given how frustrating her recent losses have been. She raises a tired hand to the arena in the immediate aftermath, heads right back to her corner where she tiredly collapses back onto her stool as well. Her teammates and Head Trainer Henry Carvill are all patting her on the back, but Diana looks as though she just wants to get outta here.

Sommer Ray, on the other hand, needs to decide whether she wants to pursue this boxing thing in the long run. She definitely has showed off potential, but getting knocked out multiple times in a row will dull any prospective agents knocking on your door. 

For now, the road ahead looks uncertain for both women, with Diana’s hunt for another title shot up in the air and dependent on champion Zara Holland’s mood and temperament. We’ll just have to wait and see!