(Results: Vassago, Words: Caspian)

BBU AFTER DARK

Diana Korkunova vs. Savannah McCray (BBU Debut)

Diana:
(26, 5’5, 27:7 BBU, SIRENs)

Savannah:
(22, 5’6, BBU Debut, Free Agent)

BEFORE:
In the grandeur of London's Royal Albert Hall, a venue steeped in cultural history, the pre-fight press conference is just kicking off. The spotlight is on two contrasting figures in the world of women's boxing: Diana Korkunova, the seasoned and formidable fighter from the SIRENs, and Savannah McCray, the social media influencer stepping into the ring for her debut.

Diana, with her impressive record of 27 wins in 34 bouts, exudes confidence and a hint of dismissiveness. At 26 years old and standing 5'5", she is a picture of experience and poise. Across from her sits Savannah, the 22-year-old newcomer, whose 5'6" frame and athletic build hint at potential yet to be unveiled in the boxing world. Known for her social media presence, the blonde American’s determined expression makes it clear she is serious about carving a niche for herself in this new arena.

Diana addresses the gathering first. With a slight air of condescension, she remarks, "It's always exciting to see new talent in the ring, but let's not kid ourselves. Experience counts for a lot in boxing, and I intend to show Savannah just how much she has to learn." Her tone suggests a belief that the match will be little more than a lesson for the rookie.

Unfazed by Diana's remarks, Savannah confidently replies, "I respect Diana's achievements, but I'm not here just to make up the numbers. I've trained hard for this, and I'm ready to give it my all. Don't be surprised if the underdog comes out on top."

Diana, with a smirk, says back, "I hope you're as good in the ring as you are on social media. It would be a shame to see all that confidence go to waste."

Savannah, with a smile that belies her nerves, retorts, "Well, Diana, I guess we'll find out soon enough. I'm ready to turn heads and prove that I'm more than just an Instagram sensation."

Later, both fighters step up to the scales, shedding their outer clothes to reveal the results of their rigorous training and preparation. Korkunova, with her well-toned and stockier physique, steps onto the scale first. Her confident stance and the experienced glint in her eyes speak volumes of her journey in the boxing world. Next, Savannah McCray takes her turn. The social media influencer showcases her athletic form, and as she weighs in, there's a noticeable difference in their physicality. Savannah, slightly taller, possesses a slender yet powerful build, contrasting with Diana's more seasoned and compact fighter's frame.

They stand so close that their noses are almost touching, their eyes locked in a fierce glare. Diana has confidence on her lips, narrows her eyebrows narrowed in a challenging glare. She balls her fists with practiced precision, positioning one just inches from Savannah's jaw, with her other prodding subtly into Savannah's tummy.

Savannah, feeling the heat of Diana's proximity and the provocation of her fists, grimaces slightly, then responds in kind, her own fists balled and ready. Despite the slight height advantage she holds over Diana, there's a sense of her trying to impose her presence even more. She raises her fists, positioning them close to Diana's face, a mirror of Diana's own stance. Her gesture is both a defense and a challenge, a statement that she's not intimidated by the seasoned fighter before her. Then, in an equally bold move, she plants her knuckles against Diana's toned waistline, a provocative gesture that speaks of her willingness to engage in this psychological battle as well.

Diana grimaces but then sports a sly grin, whispering just loud enough for Savannah to hear, "Hope you're ready to learn some hard lessons in the ring, kid." Her tone is patronizing and surprising for the usually respectful Siren. But perhaps being away from the ring for so long has changed her somehow.

Hours later, the arena's atmosphere shifts as the opening notes of "Survivor" by Destiny's Child fill the air, signaling first Diana Korkunova's entrance. The crowd erupts in cheers as Diana emerges through the curtains. She's dressed in a dazzling red and gold robe, shimmering under the lights, her name emblazoned across the back in bold letters.

As she strides down the aisle, her gaze is fixed on the ring, and the crowd's energy seems to fuel her - she acknowledges them with a series of confident nods and a few playful shadow punches, with her team following closely down the ramp. Upon reaching the ring, Diana pauses, taking a moment to absorb the electric atmosphere. She then climbs the steps with purpose, slipping through the ropes with the grace of a seasoned fighter.

She sheds her robe in the ring, she reveals her fight attire, a testament to both style and functionality. She's clad in a sleek, form-fitting sports bra and matching trunks, both in a striking shade of crimson red, accented with gold trim. Her gloves are also in a matching crimson red, with her initials "DK" stylishly emblazoned in gold on the wrist straps.

Then, the mood shifts as "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor starts to play, heralding Savannah McCray's arrival. The crowd's reaction is a mix of curiosity and excitement, many eager to see what the debutant brings to the ring. Savannah steps out onto the stage, her presence commanding attention. She wears a striking blue and silver robe, the fabric catching the light as she moves, her name stylishly displayed on the back.

Savannah's walk to the ring is confident, yet there's a hint of awe in her eyes as she takes in the size of the crowd and the magnitude of the event. She waves to the fans, a broad smile on her face, showing her appreciation for the support. Her team, a smaller entourage than Diana's, follows, their encouragement evident in their focused expressions.

Reaching the ring, Savannah takes a deep breath, visibly centering herself before ascending the steps. She enters the ring with a determined look, quickly shedding her robe to reveal her fighting gear: a sleek blue and silver outfit that complements her robe.

The blonde’s in-ring attire, revealed as she discards her robe, is a form-fitting sports bra and trunks ensemble, primarily in a deep, ocean blue, complemented by silver accents that add a touch of sophistication and flair. On her gloves, the initials "SM" are prominently displayed in silver on the wrist straps.

As they make their final preparations on either side of the ring, the referee goes through the rules one last time, before getting the nod from both women to start! Without further ado, there’s the wave of his hand, and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Bantamweight action!

ROUND 1:
Bell rings, and Korkunova, the seasoned veteran, steps out with a confident swagger, her eyes gleaming with a mix of arrogance and anticipation! Across the ring, Savannah, the debutant, maintains a composed, defensive posture, her gaze fixed on her most formidable opponent. Diana wastes no time, charging forward, her fists a blur of motion as she aims an immediate barrage of heavy punches into the newcomer’s arms. Her gloves slam into the guard with muffled "THUDs", Diana eager to KO the rookie and make a comeback statement. But Savannah, nimble and alert, dances back and sideways, her movements fluid and calculated, biding her time and keeping herself relatively safe for now, her time spent in the gym evident from her excellent defense and agility. In the middle minute, Diana tries for a vicious hook that’s aimed at Savannah's head, but the "CRACK!" of glove on glove echoes as the blonde fighter expertly blocks the strike, her raised arm absorbing the impact. McCray’s waiting for Diana to overcommit, and as the Siren lunges with a particularly aggressive jab, Savannah pivots suddenly, her slender body swaying elegantly again to avoid the punch. Then, she counters with a rapid-fire combination, "PAK PAK PAK!", her gloves suddenly snapping into parts of Diana's nose and lips, those practiced jabs landing with precision. Diana's head jerks back with each hit, the veteran caught off guard by the speed of the newcomer, the expression on her face looking slightly shocked by the taste of leather on her skin. The round continues, and Diana grows increasingly frustrated, throwing another series of powerful body shots later on, aiming to wind her younger foe. But again, Savannah lowers her guard and absorbs each impact, grimacing slightly but maintaining her stance with a smirk. And in the final seconds, Savannah turns the tables. She darts in, her fists flying forwards in a flurry of jabs and straights, "PAK PAK THWACK!", hitting Diana's head and body all over. Diana, surprised by the sudden aggression, is forced to defend herself, her overconfidence momentarily shaken, getting pushed back to end the round. And as the bell rings, Diana finally steps back, her expression one of frustration, while Savannah, her face still composed, returns to her own corner, having proven she can hold her own.

ROUND 2:
Bell signals the start of the second, and Savannah bursts out of her corner with a clearer strategy in mind. Her fists, tightly gloved, are ready to unleash a storm! She starts with a series of sharp, quick jabs, targeting both Diana's face and body. "PAK! PAK! PAK!" The sound of her leather making contact with the Siren’s arms and tummy is sharp and rhythmic, each jab landing hard and forcing Diana to back away or eat leather. Diana's attempts to counter and swing are met with yet more quick punches, Savannah expertly maintaining her distance by using her reach advantage, while keeping the pressure high. Diana is supposed to be the seasoned fighter and former Flyweight champ, yet she’s finding herself steadily pushed back towards the ropes. Savannah senses her faltering attitude and intensifies her attack, closing in and at moments trapping the beleaguered brunette against the ropes, unleashing a barrage of heavy blows upon her shorter foe. Savannah zeroes in on Diana's body, narrowing the gap between them and grounding her own feet for balance, her own hips leaning slightly forward, channeling force into each punch… Her gloves BANG away at Diana's waistline, lefts and rights burrowing into the vulnerable spots between the arms with calculated ferocity. Each punch is a deliberate thrust inwards, the leather sinking deep into the curve of Diana's torso. With every hit, parts of her gloves seem to momentarily disappear into Diana's abdomen, targeting the soft spots just below the ribs and around the navel. The impact of these body shots is immediate and visible: each thudding punch forces Diana to fold over and face to screw up in a growing grimace, her upper body curling inward as a natural defense. Her head and shoulders lurch forward with each blow, and simultaneously, the punches push Diana's lower body backward, her butt soon pressed and grinding against the ropes. In fact, the ropes become the only support preventing her from collapsing under the barrage. But finally, in the final minute of the round, Diana senses the urgency and surges forward, trying to clinch up with Savannah rapidly to halt the blonde's momentum and regain some semblance of control. As their bodies slap together, Diana uses her experience to immobilize McCray’s arms and skillfully twist and turn their bodies about, using her body weight and strength to pin Savannah to the ropes instead… Diana, looking tired but entirely furious, unleashes her own barrage of uppercuts to any flesh she can find. Her gloves, now a constant blur of bullying motion, drill into Savannah's belly and sides, the sound of leather meeting flesh, "FUMP! FUMP!" rhythmic and relentless, each hit a payback for the earlier onslaught she endured. Savannah's body reacts with even more impact from the punishing uppercuts, the rookie struggling to free herself from Diana’s clutches. Her stomach contracts with each hit, her breaths turning into sharp grunts, "HNGGG! HAAUGH!", as the air is forcibly expelled from her lungs. The blonde’s posture is defensive, her arms trying to shield her midsection, but Diana just pries them out of the way or plows them to the side before shoving another fist into her tummy flesh. Finally, as the bell rings, the referee is forced to step in and pull both fighters apart. Something about Savannah just rubs Diana the wrong way, and the SIren lets out a frustrated growl and shout on her way back to her corner. She wants to be dominating this fight, but the former Flyweight champion isn’t, beating herself up and having to be consoled by her corner in between rounds.

ROUND 3:
There’s even more tension in the air, with both fighters aware of the stakes as they face off once more across the ring. Savannah, undeterred by the previous round's onslaught, comes out with renewed vigor, parts of her belly showing flashes of red, but she ain’t caring. In the first minute, she again showcases her agility and speed, darting in and out of Diana's reach, hitting fast and hard with combos. Savannah's right cross is a thing of beauty – a swift, precise strike that lands squarely on Diana's lips at the end of the first minute. The impact is sharp, the sound a crisp "CRACK!" that snaps Diana’s head back,, a brief look of surprise flashing across the Siren’s face. Savannah doesn't waste a moment, following through by immediately snatching at her torso with more nasty hooks, her gloves slamming into the abs and ribs with a rhythmic "THUD! THUD!". Diana looks like she’s getting bullied again, and doesn’t like it one bit… As the round progresses, she begins to assert her own power, pushing forward with heavy swings of her own to the arms, seeking chin, hoping to drive Savannah back. The two fighters find themselves in close quarters again, the fight turning into another gritty, personal brawl. They exchange blows in rapid succession, their bodies frequently slapping together, arms wrapped around shoulders and waistlines, their breaths heavy with exertion. Diana, using her experience, locks in the clinch by wrapping her arms over Savannah's. Then, they exchange short, sharp punches to the sides of the head, ribs, and body. Each blow is muffled, the sound a dull "THUD" as gloves find flesh and bone. As they jostle for position, Diana finds a moment to establish a bit more distance. She uses the brief separation between their bodies to unleash a series of forceful uppercuts, her gloves driving upward into Savannah's stomach, breasts, and chin, the sound of each impact a distinct "FUMP!" of leather gloves sinking into soft flesh and forcing grunts of pain from the blonde’s lips. Stunned and growing weary from the brawl, Savannah begins to show signs of quit, her body sagging inwards and her arms more focused on protecting her frame. And in the final moments of the round, Diana presses herself in, quite literally, sinking Savannah even tighter into the clinch, pinning the taller girl back against the ropes to wail on her torso some more. Savannah's body reacts instinctively, her abdomen folding forward with each impact, her shoulders lurching, her face contorting in pain. The sounds escaping her parted lips are a mix of sharp exhales and pained grunts, "HNGGG! HAAUGH!" and her legs tremble slightly, struggling to support her. As the bell rings, Diana steps back, her breathing heavy but her eyes alight with the thrill of impending dominance. Savannah looks visibly shaken and pained, slowly has to peel herself off the ropes, wondering if ever getting into this whole boxing thing was the best idea…

ROUND 4:
The fourth commences with an almost electric atmosphere, the crowd sensing a pivotal turn in the fight. Diana looks emboldened by her previous success, moving in aggressively, her focus sharp as she zeroes in on the rookie’s faltering figure. She advances with jabs to the head, her movements deliberate but aggressive, slowly inching her way in and forcing McCray back into her own corner and space. But Savannah, though visibly tired, is not without fight. The newcomer attempts to retaliate, throwing wild punches at the head in a desperate bid to fend off Diana's assault. However, her blows lack their earlier strength and impact, her fatigue evident in every movement. Diana exploits this weakness, launching a fierce combination: a jab to the nose snaps Savannah's head back. Then, without missing a beat, she follows with a thunderous right hook to the cheek, the sound of glove striking flesh is a sharp "CRACK!" that reverberates through the arena. Savannah's reaction is immediate: her head jolts to one side and her body buckles under the force, a pained cry escaping her as she FALLS to the canvas. And just like that, we have your first KNOCKDOWN of the evening!

The referee immediately begins the count, the tension in the arena rising with each number. "One... Two... Three..." On the canvas, Savannah's eyes are a mix of pain and resolve. But miraculously, by the count of eight, the rookie is back on her feet, swaying dangerously and her eyelids fluttering, the toll of the knockdown clear. Across the ring, Diana looks ready to intensify her attack, barely waiting for the bell to resume before RUSHING forward to try and finish the blonde off. She corners a weakened Savannah against the ropes, starting with a flurry to her face before resuming the thumping of heavy shots into her faltering arms and tummy. Those gloves pound off Savannah's belly, "THUMP! THUMP!", each hit forcing grunts of "HNGGG! HAAUGH!" from the beleaguered, slowly wilting fighter’s lips. But Diana isn't satisfied with just targeting the body. She shifts her focus, delivering a series of punishing uppercuts to Savannah's breasts, and then, with a swift upward motion, another powerful uppercut to the chin, snapping her head back dramatically. Thankfully for the American, the round ends soon after, and she collapses down to her knees by the ropes, looking about ready to quit if she wasn’t already saved by the bell. Meanwhile, Diana stands over a subdued Savannah, her dominance in this fight now crystal clear. In a display of superiority, the Siren steps in closer, lifting the rookie’s chin slightly with a gloved hand.. "You're in the big leagues now, babe," she says, her tone mocking yet tinged with a hint of respect. “Ready to go down for good?”

ROUND 5:
There’s urgency in the air at the start of the fifth, with the crowd wondering whether McCray can turn this fight around, especially against someone like Korkunova. The blonde model seems to think she can recapture the magic of the first rounds, springing into action at the opening bell! Her feet shuffle rapidly in a last burst of energy despite her battered state, closing the distance with jabs and crosses that surprise Diana and force her to halt and fend them off. A high jab stuns the Siren to the forehead and another overhand crashes into her arms, forcing her dangerously close to the ropes once more. Sensing an opportunity, Savannah rushes in, hoping to turn the tide! She hammers Diana with another swing to the side of her head before chugging a follow-up uppercut straight into her stomach. Diana’s body lurches and groans, folding forward before being forced back by Savannah’s figure, the model using her body to press and pin her down upon the ropes, their shoulders brushing in a tense clinch, grappling for control. Savannah knows that her height and taller frame are her only assets to turn this fight around, and she immediately fires a barrage of hooks that crash into Diana’s frame, her gloves sinking deep into the brunette’s toned midsection with rhythmic "THUMP! THUMP!" Each punch is aimed at the soft curves beneath Diana's navel, her body folding under the impact of each blow. Her arms lower, attempting to shield her torso, but Savannah's punches still find their mark, driving the air out with muffled grunts from Diana's lips, her chin and lips brushing against Savannah's neck and shoulder, shocked. As Savannah basks in her newfound control, she decides to mimic the taunt she endured in the previous round. With a surge of confidence, she delivers another solid slug to the brunette’s belly. Then, she cockily shoves her glove into the base of Diana's chin, forcefully pushing the stunned Siren’s head upwards in a bold display. Locking eyes with her opponent, Savannah sneers, her voice dripping with contempt. "Not so tough now, are ya?" However, this moment of bravado provides Diana with a crucial opportunity of her own. Her instincts kick in as she catches her breath. Her fist coils like a spring, her muscles tensing, and then, she unleashes a devastating hook! The glove ARCS in sideways, cutting through the air to land squarely on Savannah's cheek! "CRACK!”! The impact is immediate and jarring, Savannah's head snapping to the side, her body reeling from the force of the blow! Savannah, who moments ago seemed in complete control, stumbles to the side, her legs wobbling, her expression a mix of shock and pain. Diana grits her teeth and PUSHES herself off the ropes, surging back in! Her eyes blaze with fury as she advances towards the still-staggering Savannah, who tries to raise her guard. But her movements are sluggish, her reflexes dulled by the sudden onslaught. A vicious uppercut snaps her head awkwardly to the side and upwards. Savannah, barely hanging on, tries to counter, but her punches are wild and without purpose. Diana easily sidesteps them, before throwing the final hammerblow: a haymaker riiiiipppssss through the air to slam squarely into Savannah's jaw in a definitive "CRACK!" that signals the end! There she goes! The rookie’s body CRUMPLES under the weight of the punch, falling to the canvas in a heap and turn of the head! Yet another KNOCKDOWN for Diana Korkunova, though this time, as the referee rushes in to start the count, it's clear to everyone that Savannah might be down for good… The poor blonde lies sprawled by the ropes, arms on either side, legs folded upon themselves, head turning sideways with her eyes closed! The count finally hits 10, and the referee has to WAVE it off! It’s OVER!

Official Result: Diana Korkunova defeats Savannah McCray via KO5!

AFTER:
In the aftermath, the arena is still buzzing from the intensity of the bout. Korkunova is declared the winner and raise of her hand by the referee. But the Siren is still seething with a mix of triumph and frustration. She’d been pushed to the brink multiple times by the rookie and now, with the fight officially over, her emotions seem to boil over.

With a swift and almost aggressive motion, Diana strips off her gloves and strides towards Savannah's prone form. The crowd watches in a mix of awe and shock as Diana, known as the Siren for her calm and respectful nature in the ring, acts on her raw emotions.

Savannah barely registers what's happening as Diana reaches down, gripping her hair with both of her firm hands. The blonde is hoisted off the canvas most unceremoniously, her head still lolling as Diana drags her to the nearby corner turnbuckle. With a rough shove, the Siren forces her back against the turnbuckle, the steel post serving as an unyielding support for Savannah's weakened body. Diana then uses her own body to pin her firmly in place, her chest pressing into Savannah's, her breath hot and heavy on the rookie’s face.

In this dominating position, Diana growls and unleashes another barrage of punches into Savannah's faltering tummy. Her balled fists pack into the soft flesh over and over,t the sound of bare knuckles against flesh echoing through the arena with a punishing "THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!"

As she assaults Savannah, Diana's voice cuts through the noise, her words laced with scorn and an untinged hinge for the challenge she faced. "You thought you could upset me? Beat ME?" DIana spits, her voice dripping with derision. "You're strong, blondie, but not strong enough to take me down!”

Soon, Savannah’s body slouches over and begins to slide down the turnbuckle post. But Diana keeps her in place with her hips pressed into her pelvis. Then, she grips Savannah's chin with one hand, exposing her throat with a “Urkk!”, and her other hand begins a slow, taunting journey down the length of Savannah's battered abdomen. The brunette’s finger, firm and unyielding, presses into the bruised and tender flesh of Savannah's trembling tummy.

Immediately, Savannah reacts to the invasive body part, each press of Diana's finger into her battered tummy eliciting a soft, involuntary whimper from her lips, a stark contrast to the fierce combatant she was moments ago. Her breathing is shallow and labored, each breath a struggle as Diana’s finger passes through her bruised ribs and diaphragm. Her body slumps even lower against the turnbuckle, her eyes clouding with pain, her mind racing and wondering when this torture will be finally over.

But Korkunova ain’t done. Finally, her finger, having traced a path of dominance down Savannah's battered abdomen, pauses just below the blonde’s navel. Then, with a swift and deliberate motion, she reforms her hand into a fist and drives it hard into the already yielding flesh of the rookie’s stomach. It sends a shockwave through Savannah's body, her already weakened muscles offering little resistance at this point. A deep, resonant "WHOOUUFF," flutters from her lips, before trailing off into a strangled cry of defeat.

Then, Savannah’s knees buckle completely, unable to support her any longer. Her body is overwhelmed by the cumulative toll of the fight and this final, devastating blow. She collapses fully into Diana's arms in a moment of complete surrender, the proud and spirited fighter reduced to a state of utter helplessness.

Finally, Diana leans over her battered foe, a look of triumphant disdain flashing on her face. "You’re gonna think twice about putting your fists on my tummy again," she whispers sickly sweet into Savannah’s ear, referencing the blonde’s earlier bravado during the pre-fight staredown. It's a final, cutting remark, one that underscores the harsh lesson Savannah has just learned in the most punishing way possible.

Then, Korkunova allows Savannah to collapse to the canvas, McCray immediately curling up into a ball of pain and quit, groaning slightly and her eyelids flashing to her crew to come and save her. It’s definitely NOT the debut performance she’d wanted, but some of the pundits are already arguing for her excellent performance against the former champion. Let’s hope this vicious beatdown in her debut will not damper her spirits going forward!