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I held my hand up and waved as people continued to cheer.
And then the announcer asked everyone to quiet down and get ready for the contender, who had a shit ton more accolades than I did. He’d held this belt eighteen months ago before losing it to Gunner Waverly six months ago.
He had a record of 32-1. Much more impressive than mine. I’d had one professional fight, and I’d beaten the one guy that he’d lost to.
What are the fucking chances?
“Leo ‘The Flamethrower’ Burrrrrrns!” he shouted into the mic, and the crowd cheered in response, along with an equal amount of booing.
Leo had an entourage that was three times the size of mine, and he came walking in with all the confidence in the world.
I’d expected nothing less.
He danced around in his corner, trying to get the crowd riled up before we were both called to the center. We stood close enough that our foreheads nearly touched. His smug look irritated the fuck out of me, but my stomach was also wrenching with nerves at the same time.
I am not going down in the first round.
Not after all the work I’d done. I wanted to wipe that cocky smirk right off his face. Three minutes to remain standing. I could do this.
One round at a time.
He leaned closer to my ear, and I remained perfectly still. “Didn’t touch your girl. It’s not my style.”
When he pulled back, my eyes locked with his. “I know.”
“But I’m still going to knock you out in round one.”
Not happening.
But I didn’t respond. I backed away. Unlike Leo, I would let my skill do the talking. I was focused on staying on my feet. Protecting my head and my eyes and my body. Staying in one fucking piece and fighting smart.
I wanted to get some hits in on him. Let him feel my wrath for once.
We moved to our respective corners, and I sat on the bench placed there for me while Joey shouted a few things at me and Butch shoved the mouthpiece into my mouth.
River, Kingston, Hayes, and Nash were all standing in my corner, right outside the ring.
“Protect your face. He’s going to come out with a fury, so be smart. He thinks this is a one-round fight. You’re here for the long game.” Joey clapped me on the shoulder before stepping out of the ring.
I kneeled down and said a quick prayer, making every effort to settle my nerves.
The sound of the bell had me moving toward the center of the ring just as Leo charged me.
Fast and furious, just as we’d predicted.
I stayed calm. I’d prepared for this. The first hit clipped the bottom of my jaw and stunned me a bit, but I adjusted.
I kept control of my movements. My feet steady, as he continued to swing. He must have fired off twelve shots, but he only landed two that I felt.
The second was a shot to my ribs that hit me with a jolt.
But I’d been hit so many times over the last few months in that exact spot that my body weathered it. When he paused and his steps faltered a bit, I used that as my opening. My left hook landed right where I wanted it to, square in the face, ringing his bell just enough to let him know that he wasn’t the only one in this fight.
He shook it off and then started with the antics that I’d expected. He tapped me on top of the head with his glove and danced around like a clown.
The noise from the crowd was deafening, but I stayed focused on Leo.
He lunged forward, landing an uppercut to my body, followed by a powerful hit to the side of my head.
