Free A Shot In The Night (John Harper Series Book 2) by Edward Holmes

now.”
    “Fine,
let’s just hope he does it quickly,” putting my mouthguard back in I stretched
my neck and rolled my shoulders.  My opponent had stayed standing in his corner
glaring at me as his team worked on massaging his muscles and treating the
damage to his eye as best they could.
    The
bell went and I moved quickly to the centre of the ring.  I was going to fight
it out my way from now on.  He kicked me as his opening attack again and I
offered a small smile.  His kicks were quick but timed and he was throwing the
same combinations over and over.  I was still getting a battering but I was
able to counter now with jabs and hooks of my own which caught him off guard
and further damaged his cut eyebrow, the blood now dripping down his face and
onto his chest.
    The
fact I was still standing was infuriating the younger man and he increased his
intensity twice lifting me and physically hurling me to the canvas.  Each time
I got back up but was severely bruised.  Luckily I knew how to cushion my falls
but took my time standing taking precious seconds off the clock.  Micky just
danced in the corner waiting for me, showboating to the cheers of the watching
crowd which I barely noticed, so focussed was I on the task at hand.
    The
second round ended with me once again on the floor this time from a great combo
of moves that showed the skill of the man.  I was busy using my shin to block
one of his kicks when Micky swung low with his foot and caught the back of my
knee I bent it slightly as the other foot landed splaying myself before he
unleashed a hook full on the face dropping me to the ground and I landed with a
bump the back of my head bouncing off the canvas and rattling my teeth.  The
bell went as I lay there and struggled back to my feet and over to the waiting
stool.
    This
time I was knackered and put my arms on the ropes trying to breathe as best I
could.  Tony rubbed my back and the shoulders that ached with exertion and then
gave me some water, “You’re going to be sore tomorrow, especially when he
unloads on you in this round.”
    “I
need to win this Tony, so there is no way I’m going to let him beat me.”
    “Win?
You’ll be lucky to walk out of this alive.  He’s going to come out even faster
now.”
    I
didn’t really want to talk so just kept staring out.  Fraser was over in the
other corner looking over his fighter.  He was coaching him and from the
animated way he spoke and moved I took some solace from the fact I was making
Micky work harder than they expected.
    The
bell rang again and I was quickly in the middle once more.  My watching paid
off almost immediately as he came out with the same attack I had noted in the
other rounds.  Two low left kicks followed by a right kick to the midriff and
then usually a left straight with power to push me back.  This time when he
delivered his right kick I caught his leg pinning it to my side and punched him
flush in the face.
    Fraser
yelled, “One step you can hold for one step,” which was all I needed as I moved
in driving my right knee into his ribcage and pushing him back into the ropes. 
I then snapped out two jabs and then a right hook that had Micky reeling
towards the corner.  The smaller man was fitter than me but I was stronger and
bullied him with body blows and a knees.
    I
did however push him too far as my head dropped as I brought three quick
uppercuts to his stomach.  When I did that Micky took advantage and delivered
his own trio, this time of elbows that hit on my shoulder and weakened me
straight away especially as one landed on the back of my neck.  He didn’t stop
as I fell to my knees and the next I knew Fraser was in-between us and yelling
at his charge for illegal use of the elbow.  They moved to a neutral corner and
I took my time getting to my feet.
    The
trainer slash referee came over, “I’m sorry about that, he got a little carried
away. You fine to continue?”
    To
say I was surprised was an