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Owen nodded slowly.
“It’s all on you,” Robert said gruffly before drawing him in for a hug. “The belt better come home where it belongs. Around your waist. You know what you’ve gotta do.” Owen didn’t think he was expecting a response but nodded again anyway into his shoulder. “Do it,” Robert concluded. When Robert had moved back, Fiona replaced him in embracing Owen.
“We’ll be right there with you, Gaz. We love you.”
“Thank you. For everything.”
They broke apart and Fiona wiped stray tears away. “Sorry. I just never thought I’d ever get to experience this with you. I should be thanking you.”
All in the room looked up to the ceiling as the ring MC made his introduction to the crowd, presenting the main event of the evening.
It was time.
23
“Just listento the crowd as the challenger makes his way to the Cage. Yet again, it doesn’t look like it phases him. I think you could have a point though, John, with respects to this parochial crowd giving him a boost. How is he looking to you?”
“He’s looking fit. He’s looking focused, but we’ll see how that aims up when he’s one-on-one with the best fighter in the world. As they say, everyone has a plan until they’ve been hit.”
“Speaking of the champion, here he is, making his way down. You know one thing I’ve noticed, John, these athletes don’t sport the usual enthusiastic entrances. Even now you can see Diaz almost stalking forward. He and Owen Gasnier have not stopped glaring at each other as he approaches. Boy, oh boy! This is going to be good...”
Owen stared at Diaz for a long time as the ring cleared of press, and the maintenance guys tidied up after the camera crew. Then they were alone with the referee, getting their instructions. The same ones told at the beginning of every fight. Owen paid the official the respect he deserved but locked eyes on the hulking mass in front of him just before they retreated to their corners. They were seconds away. The official countdown had begun.
“Remember,” Fiona called from outside the fence, curling her fingers into the gaps. “No one has lasted one round with him for a reason. He’s going to want to end it quick. Be smart! Use the fence! Move!”
Owen walked forward to about two feet away from Diaz, both fighters in front of the ref. “I’m gonna kick your ass,” Diaz said slowly as he got into stance. The ref raised his hand and then dropped it as the bell sounded. The fight was on.
“WHOA! Big Superman punch unleashed by Diaz right from the start! It only just missed Gasnier’s head!”
“We are talking millimetres there!”
“Both fighters circling each other, measuring... oh, big swing and miss there by Diaz, and OH BOY, Gasnier counters with a sublime reverse punch right across the champion’s chin. Gasnier now backing away, content to stick and move it seems.”
“I don’t know about this strategy, though. That move was superb by the challenger but it won’t be enough against a fighter of this calibre. The champ just shrugged it off.”
“Gasnier bouncing on his feet, waiting for the champion to come to him. He’s pressed himself way too close to the fence...”
“Definitely not giving himself any room here, John. But he ducks that swing superbly!”
“Looks like the champ is hurt! He’s wringing that right hand of his. He appeared to hit the fence, I think? Was that the strategy? And NOW Gasnier goes after the champ! A brilliant one-two combination Diaz never saw! But again, just shakes it off. Pushing Gasnier away but hesitant now in coming forward. Diaz clearly wasn’t expecting this. THIS is the Owen Gasnier we came to see! Unloading more lefts and rights to the champ’s head! Those hands are heat seeking missiles! ANOTHER swing and miss by the champ! He appears to be shaken! He doesn’t know what’s happening!”
“He’s as stunned as the crowd is delighted! Listen to that roar! Wow... Gasnier moves back against the cage again, daring Diaz to come for him! I mean it worked once, but can he trust it again? NO! THE CHAMP RETALIATES!”
“I’VE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE!”
“The champ just shoved Gasnier, slamming him into the Cage like he was a doll! Holy hell! He’s pressing Gasnier against the steel and UNLOADING with heavy right hands!”
“And, just like that, the champ is back in control! He’s PUMMELING him!”
“The bell sounds! That’s the end of the first round. WHAT a start of a fight here! Gee, you gotta wonder if the round had been a few seconds longer if it would’ve been stopped. As impressive as Gasnier was in the opening exchanges, it took just one move for Diaz to gain the upper hand.”
“I agree, John. He was getting pulverised for a few seconds there. What must his team be saying to him...”
“His nose is broken...” Robert said, stuffing a piece of a snapped tampon up each nostril.
“What are you doing?” Fiona screamed. “You move away and let him close the gap! You get HIM frustrated enough to come after you. HE chases YOU, remember? You don’t fucking stand there and wait for him!”
“I know...” Owen replied, trying to suck in air through gritted teeth as Robert pressed the ice on his forehead, trying to stem the blood flow. “I thought I had him—”
