Page 2 of Undefeated

The manager nodded, “I suppose it’s him, don’t you?”

“Let’s go sit in our seats, and see what this kid’s about, and I’m fine with blue. Let’s try with a light yellow or something calming on the walls,” the trainer said as turned toward the door.

“Calming. I like that. Yellow it is,” the manager agreed.

As they entered the gym, a young man came in through the front door. Dressed in a hooded sweat shirt, jeans, and boots, he walked into the gym and took a deep breath as he looked around. When he noticed the two older men, he turned and began walking toward them. His walk had a certain swagger.

An expressed confidence.

“You the kid from Compton?” Joe asked as the young man approached, looking up and down his body as he spoke.

“Yes sir. Shane Dekkar,” the young man said as he held his right hand out.

“Son of a bitch, kid. You got a grip on you, damn. I’m Joe Murphy, we spoke on the phone,” the manager said as he shook the young man’s hand.

The young man turned to the trainer and held out his hand. Reluctantly, the trainer gripped his hand and offered a handshake in return.

“Kelsey O’Reilley. I’m the trainer that might train you. And it’s kind of hot for a hooded sweatshirt isn’t it?” the trainer asked as he shook the young man’s hand.

“I’d sure appreciate it, sir. My grandfather was my trainer and my manager both. He passed unexpectedly. That’s what brought me here. And you’ll find that I wear this hoodie year round, sir. Are we still on for three o’clock?” the young man asked as he adjusted his backpack.

The trainer shook his head as he looked at the young man. Two men sparred lightly in the ring behind them. The manager smiled as he looked into the ring and slowly turned toward the young man.

“You sure you want to do this, kid?” the manager asked.

The kid nodded his head once, “Yes sir.”

“I just need ten minutes to change and warm up,” he responded.

“Ten minutes?” the trainer chuckled.

The young man smiled and nodded, “Where’s the locker room?”

“Follow me,” the trainer said as he began walking toward the locker room.

“So, you’re undefeated?” the trainer turned and asked.

“Yes sir,” the young man answered as he adjusted the back pack.

“Well, this ain’t a title fight. All it’s for is so we can see what you’re about. If you are what you claim. You understand, son?” he asked as they turned to the locker room.

The young man nodded his head once as he got undressed, “Yes sir. I understand. I just need to get a fight in. I haven’t fought in two weeks.”

“Two weeks. Hell, that’s no wait,” the trainer said as he sat down on the bench.

The trainer looked up as the young man removed gear from his bag.

“It is for me, sir. I try to fight at least once a day, and I train five days a week,” the young man responded.

“At that pace, you’ll burn out quick,” the trainer responded as the young man pulled his shorts on.

“Sir, do you expect you’ll train me?” the young man asked as he handed the trainer a roll of tape.

As the trainer looked the young man’s hands over and began to tape them, he responded, “I might. We’ll see how you do. This fella you’re gonna fight will be a tough one for you. He’s never been knocked down, never been knocked out, and never lost. We’ll see how you look against him.”

The young man looked intently into the eyes of the trainer and nodded once.

“Care to ask me what he weighs? Or his age? His fighting record?” the trainer asked.