Gemma Merna vs Rio Natsume
(Lookout! Atlantic Boxing vs Front Street Japan)
(17-21-1, 15 KO vs 3-0, 3 KO)
JMD Value: 38G (Enhanced) vs 38G (Natural)
Results: Lookout!; Story: Vassago

BEFORE: It's no secret Gemma Merna treats this bout as mere rehearsal before the big JMD(D) Queendom test next month but Japanese veteran Rio Natsume warns everyone she will spoil the blonde's master plan and prove she belongs to the jug muggin' elite in her own right. The odds are split among the pundits, Rio just doesn't carry similar reputation to compatriot Mikie Hara or even AV favorite Maria Ozawa and her petite 5'1" frame doesn't quite impose a great deal of respect either!

Gemma Merna wears a pink beandeau bikini top, black hip-huggers & black gloves. Long blonde hair wrapped in a bun at the back of her head. Rio Natsume wears a silver grey X-shaped monokini & red gloves. Long dark brown hair loose & straight. The fight is scheduled for ten rounds in the flyweight division. JMD rules apply.

Round 1:
Rio flies out of the gate and connects with the blonde's rack from the inside and this is where her tiny frame really comes in handy as Gemma simply cannot stretch her elbows and has to soak up the ruthless attack wholesale. The Japanese model works on speed dial to drop the taller opponent into a defensive position and she pancakes Merna's boobs so effectively she drives her onto the ropes where she can easily maintain the successful burst. Gemma tries to swing the odds with a genuine piledriver but Natsume's execution proves superior and allows her to keep the British actress trapped in a precarious spot for remainder of the round. Japanese coach Kei Mizutani urges her compatriot to haul in more vicious punches while Merna remains subdued like that and Rio duly blasts the enhanced rack from both flanks leaving the former Hollyoaks starlet slumped in spasms come the bell.

Round 2:
Gemma finds the early response in the second round when she keeps the aggressive Asian in mid-distance and controls the jabbing delivery. Rio eats a couple of spicy shots on each temple as Gemma really wants to make up for that poor opener and there's little the veteran gravure model can do about the reach handicap. She grazes the blonde's bumpers but eats a more powerful response as Merna simply glues her mitts on target down the stretch. The Cardiff audience gets behind the Hollyoaks stunner but Rio slips out of her range come the final minute; she knows this round is lost on points so why risk the damage? Gemma refuses to jump into a futile pursuit but still swings several hooks just to keep the tiny tourist honest in the closing stages.

Round 3:
Rio gets another early jump and bangs the blonde's boobs from the south before looping a quick hook on the chin that allows her to enforce the intended phone booth stance again. Gemma barks in anger when she endures a chestful of leather but she fails to carry enough zip when trying to blow the Asian tourist away. Natsume ducks underneath the overhand charge and barges into the blonde's cleavage from both flanks; she stuffs Merna into loud spasms and duly pummels her onto the ropes where she drops more piercing harpoons on the exposed ribcage forcing Gemma to clinch her into a stalemate. Ugh! Rio slips out of the blonde's embrace and whacks her on the boobs before another right hook sags Merna on jelly knees at the bell. Huh! So much for a smooth dress rehearsal then.

Round 4:
Rosie Jones has seen enough of this back & forth struggle and orders Gemma to "get serious or get lost". The looming collision course favors the superior reach over the speedy burst so Merna just beats Natsume to the initial punch and she lets one fly straight on the solar plexus before a steady uppercut charge slumps the Asian tourist on her heels. Ugh! Rio swings back and catches Gemman's jaw but there is no real power supply behind that effort and the former Hollyoaks actress rips more leather from each side before piercing Rio's solar plexus with one shot too many! Ugh! Rio cries out in pain and folds to the side just as Gemma SMOKES her with a right hook on the ear. Uh-uh! Natsume goes dead meat upon impact and doesn't even register a vicious uppercut blowing into her rack moments later. DOWN SHE GOES!!! The tiny Japanese model hits the deck flat on her back and groans her heart out during the count before rolling onto her left side with eyes closed. Ugh! She cannot make it!!!! KO4 Gemma Merna!!!

AFTER: Plenty of relieved looks in the Lookout! Atlantic corner as Gemma gets her gloves removed and grabs the fallen opponent by the hair before flipping her on her back again. She mounts the tiny gravure model and tries to stretch her limbs into some fancy yoga positions half of the arena never saw before. Ugh! One can only assume this is quite painful for untrained body and Rio BEGS Gemma for mercy in some broken English. The laughing blonde obeys to the request and breast smothers the unfortunate brunette out before ripping her bikini top and walking away with the precious battle trophy.

Gemma passed the dress rehearsal in style but will that be enough to impress Sophia Bush ahead of the all important Queendom battle next month?

Official Result: Gemma Merna def. Rio Natsume KO4.