Page 4 of Undefeated

“So, kid’s in the military?” the manager asked.

“Nope. Said they were his father’s,” the trainer responded as he put the dog tags in his pocket.

“Well, what are we gonna do here?” the manager asked.

“Hell, I don’t know. Wanna have ‘em go ten?” the trainer asked.

The manager nodded.

“Mike!” the manager screamed across the gym.

A very muscular man in his early thirties walked slowly toward the ring and stepped under the ropes and into the ring. As he stood in the ring, he began jumping up and down. His body was very tan, his head shaved, and his upper torso and arms were covered with tattoos. The man looked extremely intimidating as he pounded his gloves together.

The trainer stepped into the ring.

The two men approached one another.

“Fellas, this ain’t for nothing but bragging rights. Both of you are undefeated. Should be a good little sparring match. Mike, this kid just rode a bike here from California. Hasn’t really warmed up,” the trainer took a breath.

“I’m ready, sir,” the young man responded.

“Mike, this is Shane Dekkar. Shane this is Mike Ripton,” the trainer said.

The two men nodded at each other and touched gloves. The bald headed man stared into the eyes of the young man and winked.

“Alright, you two know how this works. I suppose we’ll go ten,” the trainer said.

The two men nodded and separated. Mike Ripton walked slowly to the corner of the ring.

The young man followed the trainer to the opposite corner. The trainer inserted a mouthpiece into the young man’s mouth.

“You sure you’re ready?” the trainer asked.

The young man nodded as he bit down on his mouth piece.

“At the bell,” the trainer stated.

The young man nodded.

The trainer positioned himself beside the manager of the gym at the table beside the boxing ring.

“Well, let’s see what this kid’s got,” the manager said.

Ding!

The two fighters approached each other cautiously. The young man took a stance with his right foot forward and began to study the other fighter. A few flurries of punches to the young man’s body followed.

“Southpaw?” the trainer asked.

The manager shrugged.

The young man switched his feet to an orthodox stance, now leading with the left foot.

“What’s he doing?” the trainer asked.

The manager shrugged his shoulders again.

The young man unleashed several punches to the lower torso of the other fighter.