The Boxer

Here I stand...I look across...I see another man...

He looks back...what is he thinking...?...as we wait...for the bell to toll...

I faintly hear the audience...I faintly hear my coach...I faintly hear...

The waiting...has it been a few seconds...?...a few minutes...?...it seems like hours...

For weeks I have been preparing for this...this...this few minutes in the spotlight...

I am ready...I am ready...I am ready...am I ready...?

Liquid driping down my legs...my arms...my face...sweat...

Sweat...I have not even started...sweat already...sweat...

This is it...this will tell...whom is the better athlete...only one can be better...

I am better...I am better...I am better...am I better...?

I feel my pulse increasing...anticipation...it is happening...it is happening now...

***DING !!!***

Wow...it has happened...I need to move...I need to move now...

I look up...I see...another man approaching me...he is...my enemy...for now...he is...

My heart rate increases more...my advesary advancing upon me...ready to attack...

His fists are raised, mine are...not...shit...

I hear a muffled yell from my corner...I raise my hands in defense...ready for the onslaught

My enemy disappears but only for a second...I feel a sting...as if something struck my ribcage...

A pain pulsates through my body...I want to stop this...I can not...I am here to continue...

I step back...retreat for a moment...but my advesary is retentless...he takes a step forward...

I looked up...I feel a sharp pain along the side of my head...my neck snaps sideways...

Shit...

I had to throw something...move...defend...do something...

I tried with all I had...a jab...snap it out...I remember coach saying...

I felt my left glove contacting something...I did it...?...I hit something...his face...?

I hit...his glove...my enemy is much better...I...don't know if I can go on...but I must...

I must go on...for the people watching...for my coach...for...myself...

I try again...my glove makes contact...Yes...

The man in front of me...is defensive...I'm doing it...Yes...I am doing it...I am defeating the better man...

A try a hook...Bang!...the sweet sound of leather on flesh...beautiful...

A thousand thoughts buzzing through my brain...a thousand muffled cheers...

For a split second I think of something else...

I think of a picnic with my wife...walking through the park...doing something other than this...

There was a loud crack...

A knife through my neck...

A shock through my jaw...

...and then...darkness...sweet darkness.