The Challenger

MARCELO

As I walked through the door, I put on my best smile, and with the other hand, I started to greet everyone. I walked over to the seat reserved for Mandy. Once there, I grabbed her hand and kissed it.

She blushed, giving me an incredible smile. I winked at her and waited for her to take a seat. Then I turned around and went to the table reserved for me and my team. The flashes wouldn’t stop for a second.

I got on the platform and sat in the chair reserved just for me. The table I was at was rectangular. On my side were Raf and Richard. On the other side, the challenger still had not made an appearance.

I greeted the cameras and smiled at them. I gave them my best pose. Definitely, they adored me.

I took a few seconds to look around me. A line of scantily clad hostesses smiled along the entire length of the platform. Behind me, there were screens with the names and brands of the sponsors.

And on top of everything, there was a giant poster with a photo of me with Ronald in a defense position. In front of me were the seats where the press was filming this event.

In the middle of the rectangular table, there was a podium on which the presenter would lead the event. Mandy was in front of me, smiling and giving me all her support.

My mates were in the back. I could see them waving their hands in my direction. I put my thumb up. They clapped and whistled.

About four chairs from where Mandy was, I saw Silvana. Her eyes were full of lust upon seeing me. She was biting her lip. She kept scanning my figure from top to bottom.

I returned my gaze to Mandy, and she blew me a kiss. At that moment, the light on the door opposite mine turned green. From it, my opponent came out dressed in sportswear.

~Funny!~ The event was supposed to be more formal, but who could blame him? After all, he was virtually nobody. And thanks to me, now his fame would rise.

This was his chance to be on the news. Not for himself, but because he was going to fight the champion. He headed to sit at the table without seeing anyone, his eyes fixated on me.

His posture was threatening. I could see fury in his eyes. The poor fucker was trying to intimidate me. I knew that tactic well. But it was ridiculous that he wanted to apply it to me.

In person, he looked more imposing than in the videos. He was almost my size, and the weight was very similar. We were both monsters. What would determine the victory was the skill and technique of each.

Fortunately, I had the advantage. So many years of fighting and winning had taught me one thing: I was the champion, and the title was my crown.

Because after this fight, I would retire undefeated, taking everything with me. The rain of flashes brought me back to reality.

Ronald, without taking his eyes off me, took a seat at the opposite end of the table. Behind him, he was followed closely by his representative and a man who was surely his coach.

After looking at me for a while, his gaze started to annoy me. His face alone bothered me. If he didn’t take his gaze off me, I’d get up and kick his fucking ass.

Finally, the presenter joined the table and grabbed the microphone that was on the podium, and with a big smile, he started.

“Welcome to this press conference endorsed and sponsored by the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO.

“From these magnificent facilities at the Manchester City Sports Venue, right here, we will see how a champion and a challenger will give up everything to have or keep the Union heavyweight title.

“Native to the city of Manchester, twenty-nine years of age and 267 pounds of weight, and a height of two meters and four centimeters.

“Holder for the fourth consecutive time the title of undisputed champion, MARCELOOOOOOOOOOO WALKERRRRRRR.”

Applause and shouts of encouragement and support exploded. Hearing the presenter recite all my success, my body fired with adrenaline. I got up and looked around the place.

My eyes shone with the great intensity that this moment was giving me, entertained and at the same time encouraged by the crowd.

I raised my fists in the air yelling, “Yesss, the champion. Me, Marcelo Walker.”

At the same time, I hit my chest. I took a deep breath. My mind was feeding off all of this. I saw everything in the distance, as if my soul had left my body.

They all loved me, and I knew they would do anything for me if I asked. Even kill to have something of mine. My heart was trying to jump out of my chest. My body was high on adrenaline.

The veins in my neck popped out. My muscles tensed. This was what I wanted, to live like this forever. After a few minutes, though it seemed like hours, finally, I decided to sit down.

I turned to see the challenger with a smug look and an air of superiority. He looked at me with hatred and envy. I smirked at him and took my seat.

The presenter silenced the crowd with his hand, and after a few seconds, he was able to continue.

“Directly from the city of Sydney, Australia, twenty-eight years of age, and with a weight of 269 pounds, and two meters in height, champion of the second Australian national division, RONALDDDD SMITHHHHH.”

The place fell silent save for some applause here and there by the members of his own team. This made me smile more. The fucker gritted his teeth, but he didn’t take his eyes off me.

He got up from the chair and raised his arms showing his muscles. He looked away from the audience and focused on me again.

“AARRRGGGGG, you are mine, Marcelo. All this will be mine, and you will have nothing. It is a promise.”

I raised my eyebrow in amazement. ~This fucker wants to start a fight today. I am more than willing to accommodate him.~