The Fight

MARCELO

The spotlights illuminated the whole place. Bright lights were reflected on my head. The hallway I was walking down lit up with every step I took. The music danced along with my heartbeats.

Adrenaline began to shimmer throughout my body. The moment was so near. A security team was on both sides of me, protecting me from the public. Richard, Juan, and Charly were behind me.

But I could only see the ring. My tunnel vision intensified, and it was as if I was alone, walking in slow motion.

The sound faded. The screams of the spectators ceased to be heard. I could only hear my own thoughts and the incessant beating of my heart.

The ring was within my reach. I jumped up and entered through the ropes. The match host was in the center of the ring with his microphone in hand.

I watched as his lips moved. But no sound was coming out of him. And out of nowhere, noise and music returned to my ears with a vengeance. The fans screamed non-stop. The music pierced my brain.

“MARCELOOO WALKERRRRRRRR, the champion.”

The crowd cheered my name. Screams and whistles everywhere. I raised both arms, showing my muscles. Power began to course through my veins.

This was what I lived for, the ovations and the chanting of my name over and over again.

I started to jump in place, stretching my neck at the same time, warming up my body. The host began to speak again until Ronald Smith walked across the room to the ring.

In a single jump, he entered the ropes and walked toward his corner, and he defiantly began to walk from one corner to the other without taking his eyes off me.

I turned to my corner for a second and saw my team ready. In a matter of seconds, the fight would begin.

I didn’t take my eyes off him either. I was watching him like a hawk would watch its prey.

My body reacted as if in a trance, moving forward. All my muscles were tensed, ready for battle.

~RINGGG~.

SPORTSCASTER

“This is the start of the battle from Manchester headquarters. They will face twelve rounds, the champion Marcelo Walker ~vs.~ Ronald Smith.

“Let’s see what happens in this fight, because the tension is incredible. I can even feel it in the air.

“Smith tries to keep his distance from the champion. Marcelo, for his part, begins to impose his presence. In this first round, Ronald Smith has come out with the intention of gaining the advantage.

“But Marcelo, little by little, is taking him to the ropes. That’s where he can easily hit him in the body and head. OUCH! Left hook straight to the chin.

“Ronald Smith shakes his head and recovers his defensive position. The champion, for his part, nods his head and smiles. But the challenger receives him with a jab.

“The champion takes a step back, raising his eyebrow. This is nothing to him as he goes all out against his opponent, throwing a series of shots to the ribs.

“The challenger steps back, avoiding most of the blows. The champion seems surprised at how fast Ronald moves. It’s Ronald’s turn. OOOH! Now Marcelo received a left hook.

“The champion sees stars. The referee stands between the fighters, turning to see if the champion is okay. Marcelo nods his head, and the fight resumes.”

~RINGGGG.~

The contestants went to their corners. In the champion’s corner, we could see the champion’s coach giving him directions.

~RINGGGG. ~The bell rang again, and both fighters resumed their positions.

“The champion attacks with a series of jabs and uppers. But the challenger manages to dodge without problems. The champion is surprised again by his speed. And that’s when Ronald attacks, connecting in the soft zone.

“Marcelo bends over and goes backward. But within seconds, the champion is back in the game, as Ronald is strafed with jabs and hooks to the liver. This fight is very even.

“~Laaadies and gentlemen.~ We can say that the champion has found his match.”

~RINGGG. ~

“This is the fourth round, and things are not looking clear. Ronald again walks the width and length of the ring. And here comes the double left hook. Well defended by the challenger.

“But the champion manages to connect a right blow to the jaw. The prompts from the champion’s corner have been increased. His coach is screaming.

“But the champion is submerged in this dance. Of all of Marcelo’s fights, this has been the most interesting. Our champion is sweating. His punches are erratic now, driven by desperation.

“The challenger is taking advantage of this. OH! Marcelo is stunned by the challenger’s uppercut and throws several blows in the air.

We could see Ronald Smith spitting words at Marcelo. But the champion recovered and went on the offensive.

~RINGGGG~.

The champion retreated to his corner. And clearly, we could see that his team was not happy with his performance. His coach was yelling some directions in his face, but the champion was visibly upset.

~RINGGGG~.

“We’re coming into round eight, and the contenders seem to be on the same level. There is no way to know now who will take the fight.

“Ronald looks like a shark smelling blood. But the champion does not give his arm to twist. He attacks and connects in the liver and jaw. The challenger moves back creating distance between them.”

~RINGGGG.~

We were about to enter the eleventh round, and the contenders were in the corners being treated. They were both bleeding profusely. This battle was turning out to be bloodthirsty.

~RINGGGGG~.

The fighters were in the center of the ring, and the series of attacks began. People shouted “CHAMPION, CHAMPION.” This made Marcelo hit harder.

But the challenger did not think about losing. Little by little, Ronald Smith was trying to dominate. But the champion starts to press too.

We could clearly see that he wanted to end the fight with a knockout. Ronald dodged everything. And the champion swung into the air.

~RINGGGGG.~

This would be the last round, and the fight so far has made it impossible to determine who would be the winner.

~RINGGGGG~.

“The end of this battle is drawing near. And soon we will know if a new champion will emerge. The opponents are visibly tired. But the fury for the triumph is in their eyes.

“The champion steps forward and is the first to attack. Ronald dodges the jabs and counterattacks. The champion, for his part, steps back and connects a blow to the liver.

“But the challenger does not give up. And with a series of attacks, he manages to land a right punch on the champion’s jaw.”

~RINGGGGG.~

“It’s the end of the fight, fans of boxing. The champion and the challenger are attended by their teams while the judges reach a verdict.

“By unanimity of the judges, we declare RONALD SMITHHHHH, THE WINNERRRRR.”