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Owen walked a touch unsteadily but made it to the middle of the ring, facing the puffy, seething and bleeding face of Diaz. “Showtime, boy...” Diaz said, getting into position.
“The last round in what has been a memorable fight, ladies and gents. Everything the experts thought it wouldn’t be. And here we go! Diaz launches a thunderous right to Gasnier! Gasnier staggers back, and the champ lunges for him again!”
“Explosive power by Diaz! You gotta wonder how much more Gasnier can take. He’s looking unsteady. “They might have to stop this one before he gets killed...”
Owen had little energy left to lift his arms and protect his face. The straight fist struck him flush on the mouth. He felt the crack of his jaw and immediately bit his teeth together to hold it in place. Out of blind instinct, he looped a left hook aimed at Diaz’ cut cheek, but it went sailing over his head. Fuck! He was running out of time. He had to do something and quick. An idea flashed in his mind, something Fiona would kill him for...
Gasnier looks groggy as he moves back towards the... he’s moving towards the cage again, John! He’s a sitting duck, surely?”
“I can’t understand this. What do they say is the definition of doing something twice expecting a different result?”
“Insanity, John...”
“Exactly...”
Owen ignored both Fiona’s and Robert’s admonishments. He knew what he was doing. He hoped... as he tightened his bite causing more pain in his aching jaw. Diaz sneered what looked like a smile as he closed in for the kill.
Owen couldn’t raise his arms to block effectively, but he could still make a fist. He could still hit. The time had come. Focus on defence or attack. Focusing on defence meant doing everything he could to ensure he wouldn’t be knocked out. Attack meant giving everything to win. Even the barest chance. All his strength. All his determination. Everything he had.
Tegan had taken everything life threw at her and had come out a winner. She had so much trouble with her heart when it came to fighting during her illness. But she was here tonight. She didn’t quit. She never quit. What was a belt compared to that?
He answered himself: his life goal. His dream. He had one chance to show the world, the woman he loved, and himself what he was made of. What he fought for. What he lived for and what he would die for. Owen. Would. Not. Quit.
“Diaz lunges for Ga—OH HOLY HELL! WHAT A MOVE BY GASNIER!”
“Gasnier just used the cage and his leg to springboard a spinning heel kick directly onto the point of Diaz’ jaw! The champ never expected that! The champ is down on his knees. The ref backs away but will Gasnier—NO! Gasnier stays back! I cannot believe this! The belt is on the line, he’s getting pummelled in the points, but Gasnier refuses to finish the champ off!”
“I gotta say we would’ve had a new champ crowned right there, people. Unbelievable!”
“Diaz... slow to get back up. I think it’s more a delaying tactic than anything, but Gasnier strikes again! Two quick elbows to the cut side of the champion’s face! And he snaps a jab! Another right and left!”
“I can’t believe it. Diaz is swinging at nothing! That springboard rocked him! Gasnier is relentless! Body shot after body shot! Then a devastating hit again! The champ is bleeding bad! Gasnier screaming at him to come and get some!”
“Beautiful front spinning kick by the challenger! The champ is flung into the cage, bounces right back, and Gasnier PICKS THE CHAMP UP! HE SLAMS HIS BACK INTO THE MAT! I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE! Both fighters are down!”
Owen held up Diaz by the neck, stared into his one open eye and cocked his fist. Diaz’ limp body didn’t move, save for repeatedly trying to grab Owen’s arm. To pulverise his already smashed face would’ve been the most satisfying experiences of his career. But he wouldn’t sacrifice who he was and change what he believed in for glory. He couldn’t do that.
The next thing he knew, the bell had gone, and he had stayed in that position for what seemed like an age before being barrelled into by Fiona, squealing with delight, hugging him. It was as if someone had turned the volume way up. The announcer had just said something Owen heard but couldn’t believe. The grabbing of Owen’s arm was tapping. Diaz had tapped out. There was a new champion. He’d done it.
Robert gently pulled Owen to his feet and embraced him as emotion overcame them both. He didn’t let go for the longest time. They had been through so much together, and the journey had taken more from them than time could ever give back, but here, right now, the moment was theirs.
Owen spotted Tegan, with Fiona in front, being led by the hand through the crowded Cage floor, past the press and Diaz’ crew. Right alongside her was a stadium official, carrying the belt and readying it for placement around his waist or over his shoulder.
Owen couldn’t wait. He needed it now. He rushed forward, straight past the official, and embraced Tegan as she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. Reporters were trying to get a hold of him, but he ignored them. It was as if time stood still, as they pressed their foreheads together. Throughout all the commotion, the questions and cheers, they both heard the only words they wanted to hear.
“I love you.”
They had both faced their battles, suffered and endured, but ultimately came out on top. Both stood as champions in their own right. Tegan backed away from him, unable to hide her smile, and clapped as Owen turned to see the title there for him, waiting to be taken. Owen’s lips trembled as he took the gleaming title belt with two hands, bringing it into his chest.
He stayed like that for a few seconds before he burst into motion, flinging the arm holding the title into the air, evoking an almighty roar from the crowd. Owen took his time to soak it in before he handed the belt to an ecstatic and wide-eyed Fiona.
He turned to find a huge commotion had broken out behind him. Diaz' manager, Khoder El Masri, was being taken to the ground by none other than Solomon Crane who was cuffing the man's hands behind his back and reading him his rights and charges. “Fraud... obstruction of justice...”
He was taken out of the ring, screaming obscenities at the policemen who held him. Diaz looked lost for words, and then like a deer in the headlights as the press turned their attention to him. He eventually pushed his way through them, following the clog of people around El Masri, dumbfounded and alone.
Finally, the cameras returned to Owen, and it was if the last few minutes hadn’t even happened; the real story was still in the ring. The press wanted a picture with the title, and Owen brought Robert, Fiona, and Tegan in for the photo.
“Can we just get a picture of you and the belt, not your team, Champ?”
“This is my family. I’m nothing without them. The title belongs to all of us.”
The picture taken was the one that was splashed across the internet within minutes. Social media blew up with the news that a battered, bloodied Owen Gasnier, surrounded by his family, had done the impossible. Two undefeated fighters had entered the ring. Now, at the end of the night, only one man could lay claim to that undefeated status: The Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. The Gasnier Era had begun.
The next opponent, the next challenge, wasn’t known yet. But he would be ready, they all would, just as long as they stuck together and remembered that unified they could accomplish anything.
The End.
