Earlier, the press conference is set on a sprawling, sun-drenched beach, the perfect backdrop for the Sports Illustrated Beach Boxing tournament. Palm trees sway gently in the background, and the sound of waves crashing provides a soothing soundtrack. The atmosphere is casual yet festive, with fans gathered around in beach attire, eagerly anticipating the interaction between the fighters.

The event moderator, standing on a small stage decked out with Sports Illustrated banners, introduces the fighters. "Welcome everyone to the beautiful sands of Malibu for the exciting quarterfinals of our Beach Boxing tournament! Today, we have two incredible athletes, Olivia 'Livvy' Dunne from the Femme Fight Club and Alexis Ren from the VIXENs. Let's get right to it!"

Dressed in a sporty tank top and shorts, Olivia steps up to the microphone with a confident smile. "Hey everyone, thanks for coming out! I know my first fight in the tourney didn't go as planned, but that's old news. I'm here to fight, and I'm here to win. Alexis might think I'm just another gymnast stepping into the ring, but I'm going to show her and everyone else that I'm a real athlete. Emily Ratajkowski is waiting, and I intend to get that rematch."

Alexis, wearing a stylish bikini top and wrap skirt, approaches the microphone with a dismissive grin. "Olivia is a great gymnast, sure, but this is boxing. Height, reach, experience—I've got her beat in every category. She's tough, she’s young, I'll give her that, but being a good athlete doesn't always translate in the ring. I'm here to reclaim my spot at the top, and Olivia is just the next step."

"The winner of this tournament not only gets the glory but also a special title to their name, making every match crucial. Alexis, Olivia, what does winning this title mean to you?"
"For me, it's all about proving myself. I’ve faced challenges on the gymnastics floor, and now I'm facing them here on the beach. Winning this title means showing the world that my athletic skills are versatile and that I belong in this sport."

"Winning this title is about redemption,” Ren counters. “I was eliminated by Kostek, who let me remind you had NO business being in a ring with the rest of us Lights."
The moderator encourages a bit of light-hearted trash talk to amp up the excitement. Olivia laughs, "Hope you're ready to eat those words, Alexis. I might be new, but I'm fast, and I'm hungry."

Alexis responds with a smirk, "Just don't trip on your way to the ring, Livvy. It'd be a shame if the fight ended before it even started."

The announcer cues the highlight of the evening, the staredown. Olivia and Alexis approach each other at the center of the stage, their previous smiles turning into intense glares. The air thickens with anticipation as they come face to face, their noses almost touching.

Olivia breaks the silence, her voice low but carrying across the microphone, "Hope you're as ready as you look, because I'm not holding back tomorrow." She presses slightly forward, her forehead brushing against Alexis's, her fist still raised under Alexis's chin.

Alexis responds without missing a beat, her voice tinged with defiance, "I'd worry about yourself. You'll need more than gymnastics to keep up with me." She leans in, her body pressing against Olivia's, her own fist nudging her chin upward, challenging her stance.

The crowd erupts with cheers and whistles, their excitement visible as cameras flash. Olivia and Alexis maintain their fierce lock, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. After a tense few moments, the official steps in, signaling them to step back. They slowly lower their fists but their gazes remain locked. Alexis gives one last confident toss of her hair and waves dismissively at Dunne, while the other blonde, undeterred, gives the crowd one last pumped fist, her focus clear.

24 hours later, as the stage lights dim and the sun sets completely, fans and spectators chatter excitedly, leaving the beach buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an unforgettable match in the quarterfinals of this tournament. As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the sandy beach arena, the makeshift ring, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd, stands ready.

Olivia "Livvy" Dunne steps into view from a beachside tent, drawing cheers from the crowd. She's dressed in a sporty, yet stylish bikini perfect for the occasion. Her bikini top and bottoms are a bright teal, trimmed with shimmering silver that catches the last rays of the sun. Her hair is pulled back into a tight ponytail, and her gloves, matching her outfit, are teal with silver highlights.

Following Olivia, Ren makes her entrance, her presence immediately felt by all around. She wears a bold red bikini with black trim that outlines and accentuates her toned physique. Her hair is styled in a practical long braid that ensures it remains out of her face during the intense match. Her gloves, red with black details, are snugly fitted on either hand.

Inside the ring, both fighters engage in their final warm-ups. Olivia's routine is dynamic, featuring high kicks and fluid stretching, highlighting her flexibility and speed. Alexis, on the other hand, focuses on her strength, throwing powerful punches into the air and practicing her footwork, her feet digging into the cool sand for better grip.

The referee signals for the opening bell and HERE WE GO with ten rounds of Lightweight action!

ROUND 1:
Both fighters spring into action under the fading light. The sandy ring adds an extra layer of challenge, but Ren seems undeterred, leveraging her reach advantage early on. From the outset, she establishes her dominance, using her height advantage to keep Olivia at a distance, working behind a stiff jab that snaps the shorter blonde’s head back several times. Each jab is followed by a calculated right cross, some of which Olivia manages to block, but the sheer force keeps pushing her back, disrupting her rhythm. Soon, Olivia tries to close the distance, hoping to utilize her agility to outmaneuver, but Alexis’s footwork allows her to circles efficiently, maintaining control of the pace and space of the fight. Each time the younger girl attempts to advance, the Vixen counters with a combination, her gloves thudding against her arms and body.Midway through the round, Alexis lands a significant right hook that catches Olivia off-guard, the impact causing her to stagger slightly. But she swiftly regains her footing, shaking off the hit with a determined look. However, the shot visibly boosts Ren’s confidence, who presses forward with increased vigor. More points scored with her superior striking, as Ren lands a series of well-placed body shots that further slow Olivia’s movements. Olivia attempts to retaliate with a quick flurry, but the taller blonde simply, neatly steps back and counters, further asserting her control of the round. The bell rings to conclude Round 1, and it’s clear that one girl has taken it by a wide margin on points. Ren returns to her corner with a confident stride, her team quick to offer praise and strategic advice for maintaining her lead. Meanwhile, Olivia, looking focused but undeterred, listens intently to her own corner's guidance, nodding as they outline adjustments for the next round.

ROUND 2:
As the bell rings for the second round, Livvy Dunne emerges from her corner with renewed determination, her body language signaling a tactical shift. The crowd senses the change in energy, rallying behind her as she prepares to counter Ren's early dominance. Right from the start, she changes her approach. She becomes more aggressive, using her agility to sidestep Ren’s jabs and create openings for herself. Her speed becomes her greatest asset; she darts in and out, landing quick combinations on the arms and body, with her opponent struggling to adjust to the sudden increase in pace. A series of stinging jabs catches Alexis to her face, followed by a swift hook that thuds into the body. The younger gymnast’s movement in the sand is more assured this round, her feet shifting quickly, kicking up granules as she maneuvers around Ren’s attempts to retaliate. Mid-round, Livvy executes a perfectly timed counter as Alexis overreaches with a right cross -- she slips the punch and counters with a powerful left hook that SNAPS the Vixen’s head to the side -- ouch! and draws a loud reaction from the spectators. Continuing her assault, Livvy more punches come sailing in, targeting both the head and body, until the bell sounds to end Round 2. And it’s evident that Livvy has dominated this time! She walks back to her corner with a nod of satisfaction, her coach clapping enthusiastically, pleased with her performance and the effective adjustment in strategy!

ROUND 3:
With the momentum shifted in Round 2, the third round opens with both fighters keenly aware of the critical need to establish dominance. Ren, having been advised by her corner, starts the round with a focus on speed and agility, aiming to reclaim the control she exhibited in the first round. She begins with a series of swift jabs, utilizing her reach to keep Dunne at a distance. Her movements are fluid across the sandy ring, her footwork light and precise, creating angles to land clean shots. The jabs are quick and sharp, snapping towards Livvy’s head, aiming to score points and keep her opponent off balance. However, Livvy adapts to counter, blocking first, then starting to time her own entries, rushing inwards to close the distance whenever Alexis throws out her jabbing hand to overreach. These rushes become a key tactic in this round, as the younger, shorter blonde manages to get inside her foe’s reach and unleash a series of punishing body shots, targeting the ribs and midsection and throwing hooks and uppercuts that pound into that lean muscle, designed to sap Alexis’s stamina and slow her mobility. As the round progresses, Alexis finds some success with her footwork, managing to avoid some of her rushes completely and then counter with quick combinations. And by the end of the round, both fighters had their moments of control. Ren’s frequent jabs manage to give her a slight edge in points, but Livvy’s surprising and effective body work keeps the round extremely close. 

ROUND 4:
Ren steps out of her corner with evident determination to widen her point lead. She begins with a series of rapid, pinpoint jabs, leveraging her height advantage to keep the FFC starlet at bay. Her honed agility shines as she expertly maneuvers around Dunne, delivering clean, powerful combinations that seem to frustrate the younger fighter. Initially, it appears Ren might dominate the entire round, unleashing a volley of hooks and jabs that drive the younger fighter towards the ropes. However, the tide dramatically turns in the second minute. Dunne, demonstrating resilience, seizes a critical opening after Ren exposes herself after a missed uppercut that whooshes overhead. The agile gymnast has a powerful hook ready and waiting, sent smack! to the side of Ren’s jaw, stunning the taller blonde! OUCH! Immediately, she reels from the impact, and Dunne follows up with a forceful right hand to the kisser, which FLOORS her onto her back, left sprawled across the sandy canvas! It’s an early KNOCKDOWN from Olivia Dunne!!

The crowd erupts as the referee initiates the count. "One... two... three..." Ren struggles against the sandy surface, pushing herself to regain stability. "Four... five... six..." She manages to rise by the count of seven, albeit with unsteady legs and a dazed expression. Minute left on the clock and the shock of tasting sand still on her lips, Ren nods to continue. But at what cost? With momentum on her side, HERE COMES DUNNE, looking to press the advantage! She rushes in and unleashes a flurry of punches aimed at capitalizing on Ren’s shaken state. Ren, battling to regain her composure, defensively raises her arms, attempting to block, but her movements are sluggish, clearly impacted by the knockdown. Dunne lands several impactful body shots and clean strikes to the sides of Ren's head, forcing the Vixen to repeatedly clinch up in a desperate attempt to slow down the assault. FInally, the bell rings to close out the round, and the audience stands, applauding the intense action and the unexpected shift in momentum. Ren wearily makes her way to her corner, where her team rushes to assist her recovery. In contrast, Dunne returns to her corner with a buoyant stride, her coach praising her strategic comeback and urging her to keep up the pressure.

The round begins with Dunne launching into a fierce offensive, clearly aiming to capitalize on Ren's weakened state. The younger blonde once again employs her gymnastic agility to close the distance quickly, unleashing a series of targeted and punishing shots to Ren’s leaner, but more vulnerable body. Each thud of her gloves against her torso echoes through the crowd, signaling her intent to dominate the older woman through brute force. Ren, still reeling from the previous round’s knockdown, struggles initially to mount an effective defense. Her movements are sluggish, and her usual sharp counters are delayed, and Dunne takes full advantage, peppering her guard with hooks and uppercuts that visibly shake the taller fighter. However, as the round progresses, the Vixen’s resilience begins to show. Despite the onslaught, she manages to regain some of her composure, and steadies herself into a rhythm by the final minute, utilizing her reach advantage to keep Dunne at bay with a series of well-timed jabs and crosses to her face. Her experienced jabs are crisp and deliberate, flying in just as Dunne tries to wind up her own big swings, forcing Dunne to reconsider her aggressive approach. Bell rings and while it’s clear that the youthful fighter has outscored the veteran, it’s only by a narrow margin this time. Both fighters return to their corners—Dunne, breathing heavily but satisfied with her performance, and Ren, showing signs of fatigue but relieved to have survived the round and regained some control.

ROUND 6:
Dunne decides to take a calculated risk and seize her momentum. She CHARGES early, immediately throws a feint to the left, attempting to draw Ren into a defensive posture. Seeing her opponent slightly shift her weight, however, she launches into a powerful right hook, aiming to deliver a decisive blow to the Vixen’s temple. However, her punch, perhaps too eager, comes off wider than intended, exposing her flank and leaving her momentarily vulnerable. Ren, with her seasoned instincts, rather than retreat, holds her ground, her eyes locked onto Dunne's motion. As that right hook arcs through the air, she executes a textbook pivot, shifting her torso sharply, her back foot anchoring her body as she turns to face the incoming punch, which allows it to graze harmlessly past her! Then, in the same fluid motion, she counters, a right glove rocketing forward, cutting through the balmy air -- KAPOW! The punch connects squarely with Dunne's jaw, a crisp, clean hit that sends a shockwave through the rest of her body; her head snaps to the side under the force, her blonde hair whipping around her face. The immediate effect is startling—Dunne's knees BUCKLE, betraying her for a brief moment as her body's instinctive reaction to the blow takes over! OUFF indeed! Staggering back across the sand dunes, Dunne's arms flail as she struggles to regain her balance and composure. And Ren wastes no time! Blonde Vixen advances swiftly, shooting in more jabs and hooks, driving her foe further back until Olivia’s heels dig into the soft sand of the ring. A final haymaker arcs in from the side and bashes her to the side of her temple -- Whooooff! DOWN DUNNE GOES, her head spun to the side and her body following, until she crashes down onto her side with a groan! It’s a return KNOCKDOWN for Alexis Ren!

The referee rushes forward, beginning the count as Ren steps back, her chest heaving with exertion but her eyes alight with the fire of imminent victory. "One… two… three…" Dunne, showing tremendous heart, pushing herself first to all fours, then slowly up from her knees. "Four… five… six…" She makes it the rest of the way with too much speed, still looking woozy and wobbly on her feet by the count of eight, her expression determined yet clearly dazed.

And with just a minute left on the clock, Ren senses the opportunity to end the bout. Bell rings and here she comes! Her gloves find their mark instantly, back to hammering away at the younger girl’s frame, keeping her pinned against the ropes with jabs to the face and then rocking hooks to the body, each strike further weakening Dunne’s stance.
Dunne, trapped against the ropes and unable to effectively counter, can only absorb and ABSORB… A feint to the body draws her guard down slightly. Then, pivoting on her front foot to generate extra power, Ren unleashes her hook. It flies through the air, landing with a resounding impact against the side of the other blonde’s head. The force of the blow JERKS her head to the side, sending a spray of sweat into the air. The crowd gasps as Dunne's body LURCHES sideways, her feet scrambling to maintain balance. The impact dazes her, her eyes blinking rapidly as she tries to refocus, her legs visibly shaking.

But Ren doesn't pause. She steps closer, dipping her knees slightly to align herself under Dunne's swaying chin. Then, with a swift upward surge, she drives her fist forward and up -- POW!! The uppercut lands squarely on the base of Dunne's chin, snapping her head back with brutal clarity. This time, her entire body is jolted upward by the force, her back bending unnaturally against the ropes. And her ability to defend herself is diminishing rapidly; Dunne’s arms, though raised, are sluggish and lack coordination, no longer able to parry. Her breathing is heavy and labored, her face contorted in both pain and determination to stay upright. Just before Ren snarls and pulls back to throw her third brutal punch, the referee moves in, decisively waving his hands overhead! He steps between the two fighters to halt the rest of this fight! It’s OVER by TKO!

Official Result: Alexis Ren defeats Olivia Dunne via TKO6!

AFTER:
Ren, her adrenaline still surging from the intense final moments of the fight, barely waits for the referee’s declaration before she starts to revel in her comeback victory. At first, she merely pumps her fists in the air, her face a mixture of relief and fierce joy as her team cheers from the sidelines.

However, the scene quickly shifts as Ren notices Dunne, who’s still visibly shaken and struggling to stabilize herself against the ropes. In a moment driven by competitive fervor, Ren rushes back and over, not-so-gently pushing the referee aside with a brisk wave of her hand. 

And before Dunne can fully regain her balance, she's forced to lean into Ren’s frame instead, the Vixen propping the battered girl up against the ropes, effectively pinning her in place. Ren smirks triumphantly and leans in closer. "You see,” she whispers in her ear. “it's not just about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. You've got fire, Livvy, but tonight, it wasn't enough."

Ren punctuates each word by pressing her glove first, ever so gently, into the base of Dunne’s chin, tilting her head back slightly just like before, and forcing the dazed blonde to meet her gaze. Then, shifting her stance slightly, Ren moves her other hand, pressing her glove into Dunne’s pulsing belly with its own firm, steady pressure, forcing a lurch and gasp from the beaten girl’s lips.

Throughout this interaction, Dunne remains mostly silent, her breath heavy and eyes narrowed, absorbing the taunts with a mix of defiance and acknowledgment of Ren’s skill. Her posture against the ropes, supported yet trapped, encapsulates her situation—bested but not broken.

Before Ren can do worse, however, the fight officials step in, their intervention necessary to uphold the sportsmanship expected in the ring. They gently pull Ren back, her smirk fading into a satisfied grin as she steps away, leaving Dunne to slowly slide down onto the sand, finally allowed to express the physical toll the bout has exacted on her.

Medical staff rush in to attend to her, ensuring she receives immediate care as Ren continues to celebrate her victory, albeit now at a distance. Despite the competitive tensions, the crowd appreciates the skill and heart shown by both fighters. The Vixen’s victory lap around the ring is met with applause, but there's also a respectful acknowledgment for Dunne's tough performance.

As the dust settles on the beachside ring and the sun dips below the horizon, the crowd reflects on a bout filled with drama, strategy, and competition. The match was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, with Dunne starting off strong, but Ren's strategic adjustments and timely counters proved decisive. 

Looking ahead, the excitement builds as Alexis Ren is set to face Katie Austin in what promises to be a compelling semifinal match. Austin, known for her formidable fitness and robust ring presence, will undoubtedly be a tough opponent. 

The other semifinal bout will feature fellow Vixen Emily Ratajkowski going up against powerhouse Camille Kostek, setting the stage for an equally thrilling contest. Ratajkowski, who previously defeated Dunne, and Kostek, who ousted Ren in earlier rounds, are both skilled fighters whose styles promise fireworks no matter who makes it to the Grand Finals.