[Jillian] I flew home after my win against Chantel Montpellier of France to give my body some healing time. The bruises certainly made my face look a mess on the flight home. The worst thing was my bruised ribs and breasts which hurt with every movement and deep breath. I was in agony if I coughed or sneezed. In a week I was in the gym doing what I could to keep in shape without injuring my body.

I received an e-mail from Chantel Montpellier asking for a rematch or perhaps a mini tournament later in the year. I told her that I would consider it. She told me that I had beaten her with a couple of lucky punches and wanted a chance for revenge.

All too quickly 55 days had gone by and it was time for my pre-fight medical. I received a clean bill of health so I was on my way back to Grenada. Ken, my boyfriend/trainer, would fly down to watch the fight but wouldn’t be able to work my corner; in fact the organizers asked that he stay at another resort.

I arrived at the resort late Wednesday so that I would have a day to prepare myself for the fight. My trainer for the fight and my second had arrived Wednesday morning so they were waiting for me. We had studied what photos and video we could get of Tekina’s knockouts and from them it appeared that she began the punch with her arm very low. Our plan was for me to fight on the inside and tie her up in the clinch if I had to.

Here are our measurements and weights in case you have forgotten. I am an inch taller and 7 pounds heavier than Tekina but she has almost 4 ½ inches on me in reach.

Jillian Russell – USA vs Tekina Tavares – Jamaica
173 cm (5’ 8”) 175 cm (5’ 7”)
63 kg (139lbs) 60 kg (132lbs)
93d-73-91 (37d-29-36) 90c-70-95 (35c-28-37)

I slept late on Friday, getting up about noon. I always eat very little on the day of a fight. I tried to occupy myself with my laptop and some TV but the day like most fight days just seemed to drag on. I go to my dressing room about 7:30. The fight is scheduled for 9 pm. I loosen up with some exercises and a massage. The dress for the semi final fights is a thong bikini. I will wear a yellow bikini, which is tight and skimpy but with the exception of my derriere covers my bare essentials. This could change as the bikini becomes wet and stretches. My trainer tapes my hands and laces my gloves on. I spar with my trainer and shadow box to warm up. A knock on the door means it’s time to go. The short ride to the ring entrance seems longer each time as does the walk to the ring. I arrive first and enter the ring to a huge applause. The males in the audience really love the thong bikini. Tekina enters the ring shortly after I do and receives an even louder applause. This part of the world loves a white against black bout. I anxiously dance in my corner to keep warm as we wait for the MC to begin the introductions. The cool breeze has my nipples looking like I have a couple of wine corks inside my bra. I notice that Tekina’s nipples are also erect.

[Announcer] “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get this first match of our semi finals underway. You undoubtedly noticed that the ladies are wearing thong bikinis for this fight. They are also wearing 8 oz. gloves and the fight will be 10 rounds if needed. In the corner to my left at 5’ 8” tall and weighing 139 pounds with a record of 2 wins in this competition, 1 by knockout, from the USA, the redhead, Jillian Russell.” [After the applause subsides] “In the corner to my right at 5’ 7” tall and weighing 132 pounds with a record of 2 win, both by knockout, from Jamaica, Tekina Tavares.” [Applause is deafening] “The referee is giving the ladies their last minute instructions; they touch gloves and return to their corners to await the bell to begin this fight. The question here, can Jillian Russell’s chin withstand a Tekina right? We will see soon as the moment of truth is here.”

Round 1
[Announcer] “Both ladies dance out quickly to meet each other. Russell moves in close with a quick combination as Tavares moves back looking for punching room. Tavares gets a left away which Russell blocks then ties the Jamaican up in a clinch. Russell is holding the right arm of Tavares and the referee has trouble separating the ladies. The referee warns Russell about holding and then calls for the ladies to box. Russell moves inside with a couple of short rights into the Jamaican’s left breast which causes Tekina to cry out. Tekina catches Russell with a looping right to her breast as she backs away and now it’s Ms. Russell’s turn to squeal out. Russell again moves to the inside with a combination to Tekina’s midsection. Tavares attempts to move back to get punching room but Russell ties her up in a clinch. Jillian Russell takes another warning from the referee about holding as he forces the ladies apart. Tekina Tavares is becoming frustrated with Russell holding. Tavares scores a clean left just below Russell’s naval and Jillian Russell is hurt. The crowd goes wild as Tekina delivers a combination to Russell’s breasts. Tavares pursues a retreating Russell along the ropes scoring with another left to the top of Russell’s bikini followed by a partially blocked uppercut but it’s enough to put the redhead down. Russell is struggling to get onto her hands and knees and we have the privilege of a close up view of Jillian’s firm buttocks. The referee quickly cleans Ms. Russell’s gloves and calls for the ladies to box. Russell is frantically trying to hold the advancing Tavares off. Tavares lands another left just above Russell’s bikini. Jillian Russell is hurt again. She lunges at Tavares in an attempt to tie her up but Tekina catches her with a right to her bra and a left to her head. Russell is down again. Jillian Russell struggles to get up as the bell ends an exciting 1st round. I can see Russell’s boyfriend, Ken, with his head buried in his hands.

Russell’s corner people work frantically to revive their fighter. I don’t think a minute will be enough. Jillian is gulping for air and she has been cut under her right eye. This isn’t the eye that was damaged in her last fight. They are still working on Russell after the buzzer sounds, a final squirt of ice water down her bra and insert her mouth guard as the referee calls for seconds out. The mat in the area of Russell’s corner is wet so we have a delay, planned or unplanned, while the water is dried up.

The referee calls, “let’s box” and round 2 is underway. Russell moves in close with a combination then ties up Tavares’s right arm. Tekina pounds away at Russell’s breasts with her free left hand. Russell steps back and with the speed of a cobra, Tekina Tavares strikes with her favorite low body punch, this one lands well down on Russell’s bikini. The redhead is hurt again and almost defenseless as Taraves drills her in the breast with a right, a left into her cut cheek and the dreaded right uppercut that lands clean under Jillian Russell’s chin snapping her head back. Russell topples backward bouncing as she hits the canvas. She seems to momentarily lift her head before collapsing. The referee begins the count 1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . the gorgeous redhead lies spread eagled on the canvas, the only movement is the rise and fall of her magnificent chest as she breathes sporadically. 4 . . . 5 . . . 6 . . . There is a slight trickle of blood from the gash under Ms. Russell’s right eye. 7 . . . 8 . . . 9 . . . 10! It’s over. Jillian Russell’s trainer rushes to the aid of his incapacitated fighter. The ring doctor joins him in the ring as they try to revive Ms. Russell. They work on Russell with ice packs and smelling salts. The doctor seems ok with her pulse and breathing. Ms. Russell’s eyes are now open and she attempts to lift her head. They have Jillian Russell sitting up now with her second supporting her. Jillian’s trainer and second help her to her feet and to her corner. The doctor is checking her over and it looks like her trainer and second will virtually carry her from the ring to her dressing room. We will attempt to get an update on Jillian Russell’s condition. The organizers tell me that they have some local boxing to complete the evening.”

[Jillian] I ended up in the hospital overnight just as a precaution as I had briefly lost consciousness a number of times after the knockout. Wow, did I hurt in the morning, but I was in the right place to get some good pain medication. I left the hospital about 2 pm and returned to my cottage where I slept until 6 pm. Poor Ken had come to see me fight and enjoy some time together after but the time together hadn’t materialized yet. I still felt rotten but wanted to see the other semi final. We arrived just before fight time; one of my friends was saving us a couple of seats. Danielle was already in the ring and the announcer was talking.

Jitka Zabrzova - Czech Republic vs Danielle Coulthard – Australia
181 cm (5’ 9”) 178 cm (5’ 10”)
63 kg (138lbs) 64 kg (140lbs)
91c-63-91 (36c-25-36) 86b-71-79 (34b-28-31)

[Announcer] “Ladies and gentlemen, we have our other participant just entering the ring so we will get this fight underway. In the corner to my left from the Czech Republic standing 5’ 9” tall and weighing in at 138 pounds with a decision and a knockout in this tournament, I give you Jitka Zabrzova.” [Applause] “In the corner to my right from Australia standing 5’ 10” tall and weighing in at 140 pounds, she has one loss by decision but picked up the wild card spot, please welcome Danielle Coulthard, Coulthard.” [Resounding Applause] “The referee calls the ladies to the center of the ring for final instructions. Both ladies look magnificent. Zabrzova is wearing a black thong bikini with Coulthard wearing one in silver. The ladies have returned to their respective corners and we anxiously await the bell to begin round 1.”

[Jillian] Round 1
Both ladies seem to charge each other and begin an exuberant exchange to begin the fight. Zabrzova shakes Coulthard with a huge right which forces the Aussie to hang on. The referee pulls the ladies apart and Zabrzova attacks Coulthard with a vicious combination to her body. Coulthard appears shaken as she backs away. Zabrzova traps Coulthard in the corner and continues her assault on the shaken Aussie. Coulthard catches Zabrzova with a low right. It appears to be a foul and Zabrzova is hurt. The referee is quick to step between the ladies and protect the defenseless Czech. Zabrzova remains on her feet with the help of the referee but is doubled over in pain. The referee cautions Coulthard about the low blow as Zabrzova walks off the pain. Zabrzova tells the referee that she’s ready to fight and he calls for the ladies to box. Zabrzova moves quickly on the offensive driving the Aussie into the corner with a flurry of lefts and rights to her body. Coulthard fights back but the Czech drops the Aussie in the corner with a short right to the side of her head. Coulthard is on her hands and knees trying to clear her head as the referee counts out 5. Coulthard is on her feet but looking very glassy eyed. The Aussie ties the Czech up to buy some time as the round ends.

It was a fast paced first round and both ladies are breathing hard and perspiring profusely. The left side of Danielle Coulthard face is swollen.

Round 2
Zabrzova moves out quickly to resume her attack on Coulthard. A quick right buckles the Aussie’s knees. Coulthard hangs on. Zabrzova pushes Coulthard to the corner and begins a brutal attack on the Aussie who is desperately trying to cover up. Zabrzova is hurt by a low left from Coulthard, and then floored by a right uppercut. The Czech lady is down on the canvas writhing in pain. The referee begins to count and then waves off the count indicating that Zabrzova had been hurt by another low blow. Jitka Zabrzova is in pain and will be given time to recuperate. The referee has deducted a point from Coulthard for the foul. Zabrzova indicates that she’s ready to fight and the referee calls for the ladies to box. Zabrzova seems to be furious after taking the second low blow and attacks Coulthard with a vengeance. A solid right by Zabrzova to the left side of Coulthard face has cut the Aussie above her left eye. Zabrzova forces Coulthard along the ropes to the corner punishing her with some brutal shots to her breasts. Coulthard with a deliberate right to Zabrzova groin has the Czech lady hanging halfway out of the ring between the second and third ropes. THE FIGHT IS OVER! The referee has disqualified Danielle Coulthard.

Jitka Zabrzova is helped back into the ring and is lying on the canvas in agony as her trainer and her second attend to her. Jitka is helped up by her handlers and is walking off the pain. Danielle Coulthard has wisely left the ring.

[Announcer] “Ladies and gentlemen, the winner by disqualification from the Czech Republic is Jitka Zabrzova.” [Resounding Applause] The final matches will be fought here in 60 days. On the Friday evening Jillian Russell will meet Danielle Coulthard for the 3rd place money and on the Saturday evening the final will be between Jitka Zabrzova and Tekina Tavares to decide the 1st and 2nd place money. Both fights will be 10 rounds with the ladies wearing 8 oz. gloves and thong bikinis. It should be a great weekend.”

Friday for 3rd Place
Jillian Russell – USA vs Danielle Coulthard – Australia
173 cm (5’ 8”) 178 cm (5’ 10”)
63 kg (139lbs) 64 kg (140lbs)
93d-73-91 (37d-29-36) 86b-71-79 (34b-28-31)

Saturday Final
Jitka Zabrzova - Czech Republic vs Tekina Tavares – Jamaica
181 cm (5’ 9”) 175 cm (5’ 7”)
63 kg (138lbs) 60 kg (132lbs)
91c-63-91 (36c-25-36) 90c-70-95 (35c-28-37)

[Jillian] I didn’t expect to fight again. I thought that I would receive 3rd place money if Tekina Tavares won and Danielle Coulthard would get 3rd place if Jitka Zabrzova won. Again I have 2 months to heal and prepare to meet the Aussie, that is, if I want the 3rd place money.