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“Go give him hell, Keller. Be smart. Take your time; he’s rash. Defend and strike.” Grayson shouts over the roaring of the crowd, his spit hitting the side of my face. I nod in return. I know the plan. I have lived and breathed it for weeks. Opening my mouth wide, he shoves in the guard and I rotate around as he removes the robe. All 240 pounds of pure muscle are on display for the world.
The white-haired ring announcer, suited in his black dicky bow, proceeds to start the fight. Only a few moments before the bell goes. The crowd morphs into a sea of blurred faces, all bar one. The only face here tonight that matters.
“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, you are going to witness a moment in history. A title fight to crown the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. In the red corner, we have Keller ‘the KILLER’ Russo.” The crowd wildly cheers my name. “From New York, USA, weighing in at 241 lbs, the current IBF, WBO and WBA heavyweight champion. With an impressive 19 wins, 18 by knockout. In the blue corner we have Dmitry the hitman Selimov. Flying in from Moscow, Russia weighing in at 230 lbs, holding the WBC belt. A record of 15 wins, 10 by knockout.I want a clean fight tonight.”
We tap gloves and give each other a nod, jogging back to our corners.
“MGM Grand, Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!!!”
Ding,ding,ding.
The moment I hear the bell ring, the nerves disappear. I see nothing other than my Russian opponent charging toward me.
Dmitry makes the first move, a sloppy left jab which I easily duck away from. I retaliate with a quick combination. His gloves are up as he defends. This is just my warm up. I won’t unleash the beast for another four rounds, at least.
We dance around the ring; him throwing sloppy combinations. He wasn’t expecting me to have perfected on my footwork, and I’m quick to dart away from his predictable punches.
The bell signals the end of the round as I make my way back to the corner, but not before giving D a killer grin.
“Keep the pace, Keller. He’s playing you. We know he fights better than this. He’s trying to find your weakness. Don’t fucking give him one.” Grayson barks.
“Got it, Boss,” I say before my guards put back in.
As the rounds progress, Dmitry gets stronger, neutralizing my attacks with uppercuts. He’s been going through the gears up to now, but it seems like he’s reached his top. I’ve only just started.
Each round, Grayson assures me I’m on the upper foot. We’re dancing around, throwing punches, and defending. Waiting for the moment, one of us slips.
Round 7: the bell rings. I need to end this now. I’m done pussy footing around. My lungs are burning, every muscle screaming at me to take him out. I land a series of hits, Dmitry stumbles but recovers quickly, leaving me open for an attack. He unloads a series of shots. I’m quick to cover my face with my gloves as he unloads body shots straight into my ribs. The pain sears through my body. That only ignites the beast inside me. My back against the ropes, he launches his right glove toward my head and misses, leaving his weakness open. I duck left from his glove and quickly switch to attack, throwing a barrage of punches as he leaves himself exposed.
Dimitry is clearly exhausted as his chest is heaving for air. He jabs his left hand straight at me, connecting with my jaw. I don’t feel the pain. Quickly shaking my head, I decide, this is it.
With his left arm still out, he’s mine to take. I unleash an assault of uppercuts on the right side of his body, which sends him stumbling backward, his knees wobbling. The opportunity stares me right in the face.
His eyes go wide as my right uppercut connects with the underside of his jaw. Sweat sprays off him as his head darts back and his body follows, he stumbles once before he drops, thudding to the canvas.
The ref flies over, crouching beside him. He taps, 1,2,3. On all fours, Dmitry slowly lifts his head. He doesn't have the strength to pull himself up. 5,6,7,8. He slams his head back on the canvas.
I fucking did it!
The stadium erupts. Sweat merged with my blood drips over my eyebrows. I thrust my left glove into the air to signify my victory. Grayson and my team leap over the ropes and rush towards me.
“You fucking did it, Keller. I’m so fucking proud of you.” Grayson grabs my shoulders and slams his body against mine.
That’s when I spot her.
The world goes still.
In a room of over 16 thousand people, she’s the first one I see. The only one I see.
Her dazzling blue eyes pierce into my heart as she wipes away her tears, overcome with emotion. She’s standing and clapping hysterically. Awareness creeps over her features as she gives me an earth shattering smile and blows me a kiss. I give her a wink and mouth, “I love you.”
She has no idea what I’ve got up my sleeve.
CHAPTER37
SIENNA
Igasp as his glove connects with the side of Keller’s jaw. His body barely moves an inch in response to the hit.
