(Results: Vassago, Words: Caspian)

After Dark: Jamie Pang vs. Jessica Henwick

Jamie:
(30, 5’4, 1:0 BBU, DRAGONs)

Jessica:
(31, 5’6, 1:0 BBU, Free Agent)

BEFORE:
In the heart of London, at the iconic York Hall, the stage is set for a pre-fight press conference that has the boxing community buzzing with anticipation. The spotlight is on two remarkable fighters: Jamie Pang, representing the DRAGONs stable in her second BBU fight, and Jessica Henwick, a Free Agent whose success in Hollywood has yet to fully translate into the boxing ring.

Jamie, at 30 years old and standing 5'4", exudes a quiet confidence as she takes her seat. Her record in the BBU stands at 1:0, a testament to her burgeoning prowess in the ring. Clad in the DRAGONs' colors, she carries the air of a fighter on the rise, eager to prove her worth and maintain her momentum. Her eyes, sharp and focused, betray her determination to make this fight another stepping stone in her career.

Across from her sits Jessica, 31 years old and 5'6" tall, embodying a blend of athletic grace and star power. Despite her relative inexperience in the boxing world, with a record mirroring Jamie's at 1:0, her presence still commands attention. Her success in films like "Matrix: Resurrections" has given her a taste of high-stakes action, but the boxing ring presents a different kind of challenge, one she appears ready to embrace.

Jamie, with a calm yet assertive tone, addresses the gathered media first. "I respect Jessica's achievements in Hollywood, but the ring is a different world. I'm here to show that my first win was no fluke. The DRAGONs have prepared me well, and I'm ready to keep my winning streak going."

Jessica, unfazed by Jamie's remarks, responds with a confident smile. "It's true, I'm relatively new to this sport, but don't underestimate me. I've had my share of physical faced challenges on and off the screen, and I'm not here just to make up the numbers. Jamie is a formidable opponent, but I'm ready to prove that I belong in this ring."

The exchange of words is respectful yet charged, each fighter conveying a mix of admiration and competitive fire. As the press conference draws to a close, the traditional staredown takes place. Jamie and Jessica stand face-to-face, their eyes locked, the unspoken promise of an intense battle hanging in the air.

Hours later, the opening notes of "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor fill the air, heralding Jamie Pang's arrival. The crowd erupts in cheers as Jamie emerges in a striking ensemble that reflects her stable's colors: a sleek, form-fitting black sports bra and matching trunks, both accented with fiery red trim. Her gloves, also black with red accents, bear the DRAGONs' emblem. As she makes her way to the ring, the auburn-haired woman’s eyes are fixed on the prize and focused forward.

Then, the mood in the arena shifts as "Can't Hold Us" by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis starts playing, signaling Jessica Henwick's entrance. The crowd cheers, many eager to see the Hollywood star in action. She steps out adorned in a vibrant blue and silver robe, the fabric catching the light as she moves, her name stylishly displayed on the back. Her fighting gear, revealed as she sheds her robe, consists of a blue sports bra and silver trunks, complementing her robe and highlighting her athletic physique. Her gloves, in matching blue, are sleek and ready for action. Jessica's walk to the ring is confident, her smile broad, showing her appreciation for the support and her readiness to prove her prowess in the ring.

Upon entering the ring, both fighters engage in their final preparations. Jamie, in her corner, bounces lightly on her toes, throwing a few warm-up jabs and hooks, her focus sharp as she mentally rehearses her strategy. Jessica, on the other side of the ring, stretches and loosens up, her movements fluid and graceful, a reflection of her readiness for the physical challenge ahead.

As the referee calls them to the center of the ring for final instructions, Jamie and Jessica face each other, their eyes locked in a mix of respect and competitive fire. They touch gloves when asked to by the referee, before being ordered back to their corners!

Without further ado, there’s the bell and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Bantamweight action!

ROUNDS 1-2:
Henwick immediately takes the initiative, moving in with a fluid grace, her height advantage allowing her to control the distance somewhat. Her approach is tactical; she utilizes her longer reach to land a series of quick jabs and crosses to Jamie’s arms in a consistent "PAK, PAK," but Jamie, undeterred, circles cautiously, looking for an opening of her own. A solid one-two combination lands early to the cheek, Henwick’s left jab followed by a right cross snagging Jamie on the nose and snapping her head back at the end of the first minute, which draws a hearty roar from the crowd. Despite this, Jamie remains composed, her movements deliberate as she absorbs the hits and tries to counter with her own strikes. Similarly, she starts to find her rhythm in the second round, opting to close the distance to negate some of Jessica's reach advantage. Pang’s punches, though fewer, are more impactful, scoring a heavy right hook to the body "THUMP!" which forces Jessica to react with a slight wince. Still, Henwick continues her assault, and the two gals go at it in a flurry of action to show signs of eager breathlessness when the bell goes off again, with no clear winner in sight.

ROUND 3:
From the opening bell, Jamie adopts a more aggressive stance. She moves in quickly, closing the gap to bring the fight into closer quarters. First, she defends against several panicked combos from Henwick to her head, but then her gloves arc in low and heavy, scoring away at that toned torso. Another particularly powerful right hook sent high lands flush on the jaw with a resounding "CRACK!”, forcing the actress’ head to the side with a snap and OUCHIE, with Pang’s persistence finally paying off! Despite the hit, Jessica remains composed. She quickly regains her footing and responds with her own series of disciplined jabs and crosses, swift and accurate, that pound into Jamie’s guard more than often, as they test each other’s defenses. Later, however, Jamie continues to press the action, landing a series of stiff body shots that thud off Jessica's torso and ribs, forcing Henwick to retreat further with her arms lowered and her gaze wavering. As the bell rings, both fighters step back, their breathing heavy but their determination undiminished. Jamie's comeback in the round has added an extra layer of excitement to the match, her ability to hurt Jessica to the body a clear indicator of her own stored power. Both fighters return to their corners, their coaches offering advice and encouragement, preparing them for the rounds ahead…

ROUND 4:
Pang, invigorated by her success in the previous, comes out with her own aggressive edge. Immediately, she takes the fight to Henwick with a rush forward and then a relentless barrage of hooks thrown at both her head and body. The strategy is clear: overwhelm her American counterpart and push her back. Her gloves arc through the air, landing a couple of heavy thuds off the sides of Jessica’s torso but find less purchase with Henwick’s guard raised and protecting her head, her body getting rocked with each subsequent hit and her guard tested under pressure. However, in her eagerness to dominate, Jamie becomes careless. She leaves herself open for a split second, and Jessica seizes the chance after a dodge to the side to square her shoulders and THROW a sharp right cross straight to the jaw, the impact snapping Jamie’s head awkwardly to the side with a loud whap and OUCH! The crowd gasps on her behalf as the Singaporean fighter staggers, visibly stunned by the powerful hit. And in the ensuing moments, Jessica rushes in! A flurry of lefts and rights pound into Pang’s figure, her defenses momentarily weakened as she struggles to fend off the onslaught. And as the minute mark approaches, Jessica DROPS Pang with a beautiful haymaker that’s delivered to her forehead, which throws her completely off balance and DOWN to the canvas!! It’s an early KNOCKDOWN for the Hollywood actress! Immediately, the arena erupts in a mix of shock and excitement, as Jamie lies there on her side, looking stunned, but already gathering her remaining strength and trying to push her torso back up from the ground, as the referee begins his count! "One... Two... Three..."

Thankfully, by the count of seven, Jamie recovers to her feet, her expression a mix of determination and disorientation as she rests her back against the nearby ropes. Looking shaken, she manages a tired nod to the referee, signaling her readiness to continue, and the bell rings again. There’s a good two minutes left on the clock, and here Henwick comes, sensing an opportunity to finish the fight! The pixie-haired fighter resumes her barrage, throwing in a quick series of punches, aiming to capitalize on Jamie's shaken state. But Jamie weathers the storm, either blocking or deflecting her blows, her movements still sharp despite the knockdown. And as the round comes to a close, both fighters step back, their chests heaving with exertion. Jamie, having narrowly survived the round, looks to her corner for guidance, her uneasy eyes reflecting the challenge she faces. Jessica, her confidence boosted by the knockdown, returns to her corner with a grin of her own.

ROUND 5:
The crowd watches with bated breath as Jessica launches herself forward, making a beeline towards Pang with a clear intent to dominate. From the outset, her gloves fly inwards, a series of rapid punches aimed at both the head and body. Pang tries to defend herself and keep moving, but the sound of leather gloves connecting with her arms and occasional snag to the tummy produce a constant "PAK, PAK, THUD!” Jessica's strategy is to overwhelm Jamie, to keep her on the defensive and capitalize on any signs of weakness. Not if Pang has any say, of course. Despite the pressure, the auburn goddess remains composed, adopting a counter-punching style; her eyes are sharp, her focus unwavering as she looks for opportunities to strike back. A particularly sharp return swipe from Jamie lands on the side stomach, and this continues, with Jessica's aggression met with Jamie's calculated counters, another series of clean hits, "CRACK, THWACK!” snapping into the side of the head and body. Soon, Jessica, though still aggressive, starts to show signs of fatigue, her punches losing some of their earlier speed. At the bell, both fighters step back, visibly tired but still driven by the desire to win. Jamie, having successfully navigated the round with her counter-punching strategy, looks to her corner, her breathing heavy but her spirit undiminished.

ROUND 6:
Now, Pang steps into the ring with a clear intent to shift the fight in her favor. She initiates by quickly closing the distance, her feet moving with agility. First, she feints to the left, drawing a defensive reaction from Jessica, then launches a swift jab, her glove snapping forward and connecting with a "PAK!" into Jessica's cheek. The impact forces Jessica's head to turn at an angle, a brief look of surprise flashing across her face. Not giving her any moment to recover, Jamie follows up with a powerful right hook, pivoting on her front foot and generating force from her hips, before driving the punch towards the stunned actress’ head. Henwick doesn’t have time to react, and the glove lands with a satisfying "THWACK!" against the side of her temple. Immediately, the American’s knees buckle, her arms instinctively coming up to guard her head. But she’s clearly feeling the pressure, trying to back away and maintain her composure and respond in kind. However, Jamie's relentless assault begins to take its toll. Another particularly forceful right cross lands on her cheek, snapping her head back with a resounding "CRACK!" and “Ughh!” And as the rest of the round progresses, it’s clear who’s dominating. Jamie’s punches are not just landing; they are landing with impact, visibly shaking and shuddering her foe with every successful combination landed. In the final moments, Jamie reaches around her guard to connect more punches with the body, leather smacking into various parts of her torso, with Henwick slowly being backed into the ropes and trying to curl up, but each "THUMP, THUMP” hit to the midsection forcing her to further grimace in pain. Just before Pang can finish her off, however, the bell rings, and Jamie, having turned the tide of the fight, looks to her corner with a nod of satisfaction, her comeback leaving her foe visibly hurting!

ROUND 7:
Round 7 commences and Henwick, despite the setbacks of the previous rounds, musters a valiant surge. A last-ditch charge is launched at Jamie, igniting a fierce brawl in close quarters when the two Bantamweights clash in the center of the ring Henwick first draws back her arm, coiling it like a spring, before unleashing a powerful cross that’s aimed at the nose, which momentarily stuns her! Capitalizing on this, Jessica then swerves to the side, shifting her weight to deliver another low spank off the side of Jamie's torso, just below the ribs, forcing another grunt from the fighter. Despite her aggressive start, however, Jamie quickly regains her composure. Her instincts allow her to slip under one of Jessica's wide swings before landing her own series of sharp, targeted shots off the body, thumping into her waistline and tummy and visibly shaking Jessica to her core. Her body shudders under each impact, her breaths becoming sharp gasps as she tries to withstand the assault and swing back in turn. In the midst of their close-quarters brawl, Jamie finds an opportunity to deliver a decisive blow. She feints another left to the torso, causing Jessica to momentarily drop her guard. Jamie’s right hand is ready and waiting, and a crushing uppercut CONNECTS with the base of Jessica's chin!! OUCH! The impact is sharp and resounding, as the actress’ head snaps back, with the rest of her reeling! She immediately goes rigid for a split second before crumpling to the canvas! And there she lies, on her back, her chest heaving, her eyes blinking rapidly into the sky, as she tries to process what just happened. Above her, the referee begins the count, his voice echoing in the suddenly hushed space.

"One... Two... Three..." Jessica's attempts to rise are labored. She pushes against the canvas, her arms trembling, but her body refuses to cooperate. Her gaze, once fierce and determined, now reflects the realization of her predicament. "Seven... Eight..." Jessica manages to prop herself up on one elbow, her other hand clutching at her head. But it's clear that she ain’t gonna beat this count. Her efforts, though valiant, are not enough to overcome the knockdown. "Ten! That's it!" The referee waves his arms, signaling the end of the match! It’s OVER!

Official Result: Jamie Pang defeats Jessica Henwick via TKO7!

AFTER:
As Jamie's hand is raised, the crowd erupts in cheers, celebrating her triumph. The Singaporean fighter has an expression mixed with exhaustion and elation, looking towards her corner and smiling wide at her second victory under the DRAGONs banner.

Across the ring, the scene is markedly different, with Henwick still lying on the canvas and surrounded by her team. They work quickly and carefully, attending to her with ice packs and pours of cooling water. Jessica, her eyes still glazed from the impact of the knockout, tries to sit up, assisted by her team. She's visibly dazed, her breathing heavy as she attempts to regain her bearings.

Jamie, still riding the high of her victory, decides to assert her dominance a little further. She strides confidently across the ring, a cocky grin spread cross her face. Standing over Jessica, she leans forward, her chest still heaving, her voice loud enough just for her former foe to hear. "Looks like that Hollywood training didn't prepare you for the real deal, huh?" she says, her tone dripping with cockiness.

Jessica, still recovering, looks up at Jamie with a mix of frustration and resignation. Her team continues to support her, urging and ushering Pang away, and then offering words of encouragement as they help her back to her feet. Despite the defeat, there's a sense of resolve in Jessica's demeanor, an unspoken promise that she'll be back, stronger and more prepared.

Meanwhile, Pang continues to climb the rankings, and what began as a makeshift hobby, the sports influencer is quickly making a name for herself with her lethal combination of power and poise!