Fighter Ch. 04

Mijah's nose erupted with a shower of crimson as the blood sprayed out. Somehow Mijah held her footing as she felt her nose break. Mijah looked up in time as Anna hit her three times in the face rocking her back again and again. Anna was on a roll until Mijah bunched her shoulders and she shoved Anna hard backwards. The force of the throw sent Anna to the floor. Mijah shook her head as Anna got to her feet and rushed at her. The cagey fighter threw several hard jabs and a few hit the large bruise and sent Anna backwards. Anna reeled as another hit got her in the same spot and as she went back she saw a crystal clear moment and took it. She grabbed Mijah as she was coming forwards and her knee shot up and connected right into the exposed midsection. Mijah felt the air blast from her and staggered back as Anna went on a furious offensive. Mijah got enough composure to fall back and take Anna into a full guard.

They rolled around the ring desperate to keep the other from getting a hold of the other. Anna got a few punches into Mijah's sides, but they had little behind them and the fighters were stood up again. Anna saw another opening and as Mijah went for another jab Anna shot her leg into a straight kick that shoved Mijah back. It was a simple Muay Thai kick that got distance and as Mijah came in it hit her midsection and threw her back. Anna followed up as soon as her footing was under her and a punch sailed in that caught Mijah on the chin sending her to the mat again. Anna went for the kill, but again Mijah had her trap set perfectly. Anna met her knee and it nearly drove all the air from her body. Mijah tried to get Anna in a Kimura arm submission lock, but the horn sounded and that was it.

The ref broke them up as their corners came in. Anna had to be dragged to her feet by Marcus and the other trainer. As he set her on the stool Marcus saw that the bruise was getting bad. He motioned for the doctor and he rushed in and set an icepack on her face. Anna nearly sobbed in agony as the cooling sensation washed over her. Marcus was sure she had the points, but that last trap may have swung the fight. He couldn't tell as the judges tallied their scores. Marcus saw the doctor shake his head and he growled.

"It may be the orbital bone Marcus, but we won't be able to tell until it's X-rayed. We need to get her to the hospital and quick," the doctor said seriously.

The announcer called them to the center of the ring and the ref took an arm of each fighter. The announcer stood back behind them with the card and began.

"We have a split decision tonight. Judge Righton scores this fight 29-27 Melendez. Judge Baker scores this card 28-26 Loriani. Judge Milson scores this fight 29-26 and by a Split Decision the winner of the fight...Annabelle Melendez!"

The referee raised Anna's hand high and she winced as her hand was raised. Marcus stood behind her and put his arm around her. The doctor held the bag to her eye as she turned back and didn't allow an interview as they took Anna from the ring. The fans chanted her name as she walked by and along the walk way they stood and applauded her being led away under her own power. The walk to the locker room was a painful one for Anna as her head throbbed heavily from the large bruise. The agony flared with each step as she couldn't keep her other eye open and was forced to trust in Marcus and the trainers to get her to the back.

Arriving in the room she was laid down on the trainers table and her wrappings removed as the doctor continued to look at the wound and evaluate it's severity. When he touched it she sobbed loudly and slapped the table. Seeing her reaction he knew she needed immediate medical care.

"She needs to go right now Marcus. Advise the EMTs to bring the rig around so we can get her to UMC," the doctor announced.

The tech rushed from the room as the doctor set the bag back to her face. Anna was crying from the pain as much as disappointment. She reached her hand up and Marcus took it quickly. He held her hand and she relaxed feeling his familiar touch. The pain screamed behind her head and through the side of her face as she had never known before, but she endured it as best she could. Marcus knew the pain she was going through very well. He had a broken cheek bone several times in his career. It was a tricky wound that never really felt the same after. His own had been broken and cracked more times than he could count. For Anna he knew this was a test of her mettle as a fighter. She would recover from it or she would not. He could only hope that she would bounce back from this injury as best she could. He saw the wheelchair arrive and moved to her side.

"Come on honey, let's get you to the hospital," he said softly into her ear.

"Your coming coach?" she whispered.

"Of course honey. I wouldn't stay here with you in the hospital alone," he said comfortingly.

"No coach!" she said loudly.

"No?" he asked confused.

"Coach, Christian needs you still. Don't leave him alone when he needs all you can give him for the fight," she explained and squeezed his hand.

"No honey you need me here..." he tried to reply but she cut him off.

"Coach I'll be fine. My fight is done and you have another who needs you. Please Marcus, help him," she said and took the bag off her face.

Anna opened her eye and he saw the seriousness in it. Her tears streamed from the socket and he nodded his head. Marcus helped her into the chair and personally wheeled her to the waiting ambulance. He got in the back and made sure she was comfortable and with a brief kiss on the top of her head he got out. Watching the doors close he breathed a sigh of regret that he couldn't go with her. Marcus watched the ambulance drive away and he sighed. With a heavy heart he walked back to the locker room and his waiting protege.

Christian was looking at the door as Marcus walked in and saw the look in his eyes. Marcus' eyes were heavy with worry for Anna, but he put it aside and went to his fighter's side. They trained up until Marcus felt he was ready to go. Christian sat up as Marcus wrapped the wrists and feet like he did for Anna. As he wrapped Marcus talked to his fighter and filled his head with words of power and glory. Christian felt his heart begin to beat a bit more as he heard the words and let them sink in. Nothing else filtered through his mind as Marcus worked him up into a near frenzy. The intense stare he gave Marcus showed he was ready for anything that was to come.

They put the gloves on and Marcus put the shirt over his chest that showed the Gym Logo proudly upon it. Christian looked into Marcus' eyes and shared a hug with his beloved coach. Seeing his son ready Marcus tapped his back and stood squarely in front of him. He slapped his shoulders and gave him several slaps across the face to pump him up and steel his mind. Christian took the slaps and growled fiercely. A quick hard chant of "No Fear" swelled Christian's mind with energy and as he opened his eyes Marcus grimly nodded. Together they walked to the ring.

No music played for Christian as he didn't care for it. He let actions speak for him more than any ring entrance would. The crowd gave him a warm response as he stepped into the ring. He paced himself along the inside of the ring and did a few side steps to get his balance. Seeing himself ready for battle Christian retreated to his corner and waited for his opponent. The crowd let out a loud cheer as the hometown boy walked to the ring. The man was taller than Christian by about three inches and had a bit of a reach advantage. His dark ebony skin gleamed under the lights as his dreads were tied tight to his skull. The way he walked showed he had a measure of agility that belied his stature.

Marcus watched as Roy came to the ring and was taken back when he saw the man's coach. A quick trip into his mind's eye showed that Marcus had indeed met the man before. Marcus thought back to the moment and suddenly it hit him. The coach was David Scallo. Marcus smiled as he remembered him from when they had met in Brazil almost fifteen years ago. Marcus knocked the man out in the first round with a Muay Thai shin kick to the face. He smiled somewhat smugly remembering the way the fight ended with the ref running to him and preventing Marcus from going further. They fought again nine months later and the second time around Marcus scored a second round knock out. This time it was a knee strike to the face that rocked him and set him down to the mat with no more issue.

They never met again, but Marcus learned he had gone on to a smaller pro organization and held their title for ten fights before retiring. As the champ crested the ring the coaches eyes met. Marcus gave him a curt nod, but David sneered and looked away. Marcus gave him a smug smile and went back to Christian. He had a secret hope that his boy would continue on where he left off in defeating Scallo. The pat on his shoulder made Christian look dead at his coach.

"Take this fucker out Christian. No mercy!" Marcus said fiercely.

Christian gave a sharp nod and waited for the announcer to finish the task and get the pre fight over. His passion fueled his drive and he slapped his gloves against the champs and they shared a fierce glare. The two warriors settled against their respective sides and the ref saw the energy building. Feeling the fire burning between the two titans he pointed to each other and with a yell they two warriors charged the other.

The tap of gloves lasted a brief moment and they began their fight. It turned into a quick savage engagement as they traded jabs and quick kicks at the other. Roy jabbed hard at Christian, but was suddenly in dire straits as Christian snatched his arm and shoved him back. They found themselves in a clinch as Christian drove after him. Falling to the mat they rolled and traded vicious blows. Christian found a top position and began to work him. Roy found himself in a bad way as Christian got a side dominate hold and began to rain a few knees into his side. They struggled and suddenly Christian let go and got to his feet. He slapped his gloves and yelled at him to get up. Roy was shocked at the sight. Roy got to his feet and put his hands up as Christian came at him again. This time he was ready as he jabbed at him but missed as Christian ducked the blow and hit him square in the midsection. The blows that rained down from there didn't stop until they found the floor again. The fight was swung firmly in Christian's favor as the horn saved Roy from more punishment.

The two went to their corners and sat facing one another. Marcus saw the fire inside of Christian and pumped it up as best he could. Washing his face and barking harsh words of encouragement to his son made the flames fan higher in Christian's eyes. The minute ended and Marcus had him bite the mouth guard and left the ring. Christian slapped his gloves together and waited for the ref. The hand dropped and he shocked Marcus as he went right after Roy from the minute it began.

Roy was caught by surprise as Christian went right after him with a series of punches and front kicks to the thigh. Roy was able to block a few of the jabs, but the stinging legs kicks caught him full on several times. Seeing an opening from one of the kicks Roy shot forwards and got the front leg of Christian and lifted it and turned. They went to the mat and by pure chance his elbow hit Christian below the belt. Christian shouted in agony as the burning went through his body and the ref saw it and broke them apart. Christian was on his back and holding his wounded area as he tried to get his composure back. It took a long few seconds, but he got to his feet shaking. The ref made sure he was good to go and restarted the fight after warning Roy of an accidental low blow.

As they tapped glove Christian retaliated with a snapping leg kick to the front leg of Roy and it hurt him badly. Roy hobbled away as Christian came after him again and this time he was taken under by a leg take down by Christian. He frantically tried to stem the tide, but Christian was all over him. The groin shot sparked a vengeance fueled drive in the younger man that Roy wasn't ready for. The hammer blows rained down on his head and body as Christian kept up the onslaught. In sheer desperation Roy got his hand up and threw it straight out and his thumb got too close to Christian's nose. Christian saw it coming and moved to the side, but it still got him in the corner of the eye. He didn't go down, but he covered up tight and returned the open palm strike with a devastating forearm shot to the side of Roy's jaw. The stunning impact dazed Roy badly, but again the horn saved him from further damage.

Christian was still favoring his midsection after the low blow and his left eye was cut from the thumb. Marcus dabbed the blood away and used the ointment from the cut man to treat it. He talked to his son with simple strategies that worked so far. He wanted a strong offense this round and Christian nodded his head grimly. Biting on the mouth piece Marcus grabbed his head and looked his son dead in the eyes.

"Take this round and it's over Son! No fucking mercy!" her shouted in Portuguese. Christian growled a ferocious response that was unintelligible.

Christian was out of his seat and his anger was apparent. Roy got to his feet and the bruise on his jaw was starting to form as was a nasty one on his leg. Limping slightly Roy went to the center of the ring as the horn sounded and Christian again went right after him. This time it got even worse for Roy as Christian used his reserve of speed and made him move a lot on his injured leg. Christian's snapping kicks were hitting time and time again as were his jabs. When he had shown Anna his speed she was amazed, but now he was mystifying the crowd as he snapped one lightning fast strike after another right into Roy's slowing defenses. Roy was rocked by a jab then he was stunned as a savage leg kick a second after. He stumbled forwards and Christian pounced. He went for a top mount, but Roy got both feet under him and using sheer strength shoved Christian off him and away. Roy was able to get to his feet, but as he did a flying right hook hit him and spun him back to the floor. The crowd went wild as Christian spun on his belly and got to his feet and sprang right at Roy. He impacted the prone body and savagely rained down punches. Roy was able to keep his hands over his head and as he did he saw an opening. Out of desperation he shot his hand forwards and again hit Christian well below the belt.

Christian instantly doubled over and the ref saw it and this time it wasn't incidental. He clearly shot his hand out and impacted right in the crotch. He broke the two apart and as he did Christian was on his feet and he was incensed. The ref took Roy aside and talked to him harshly. He deducted one point from Roy's score and warned him any further low blows would result in ending the fight. Roy nodded his head and flared his nostrils. He set his gaze upon Christian and as they went at it he was rocked as Christian faked low and superman punched him right in the nose. Roy fell back, but he was saved by the horn once again.

The crowd was going insane as Christian was demolishing his opponent like it was a warm up fight. Roy was in his corner being yelled at by coach Scallo and as the berating went on he looked at Christian who was coolly watching his coach for instructions. Roy had never had an opponent so relentless in his whole fighting career. He was twenty nine and one with a large portion of knockouts to his credit. But this fighter, this lanky Brazilian, was making him look like a sissy. He growled and got to his feet as the rest period ended and with a grim determination went at Christian.

The round started off badly as Christian immediately snapped a hard kick to his thigh and Roy doubled over and fell to the mat. Christian was about to go on the assault when the ref stepped in and looked at the leg. He called in the doctor who examined the leg for a while. After a few minutes of examinations he was allowed to continue. Christian licked his chops as he saw the fight would go on and as soon as they reset he went right after Roy's leg. Roy saw it coming and launched a straight left that hit Christian in the face and rocked him backwards. Christian tripped over his feet and fell back ,but he kept alert enough to roll over to his feet and like a cat was back up and ready. As Roy came in the right cross sailed in and leveled Roy. Almost unconscious Roy fell back to the ground and as he did he saw Christian come right in. Out of sheer instinct he threw up his feet and Christian stopped. Tauntingly he snapped a kick to Roy's ass and jumped back. Roy felt the slap on the back of his leg and lower glutes and his rage overwhelmed him. He was nearly done for by the hit and the taunting slap made him snap to. The youngster was taunting him and as he got to his feet Christian slapped his head several times in a taunting manner.

The crowd was going berserk as the two went at it again. Christian scored another hard leg kick and as Roy staggered back he threw a kick to try and keep Christian back, but it went low and for the third time he hit Christian below the belt. Christian dropped as he had been charging in and got caught full on. The ref stopped the fight right away and went to the judges table as soon as the training staff entered the ring.

Marcus was the first to his son who was mewling on the floor. He was on his hands and knees with his head touching the mat trying to breathe. Marcus got to his side and Christian felt the hands of his mentor on his shoulders and suddenly heard his voice.

"Breathe! Just breathe slowly. Let it out. It's OK son it's over. Just slowly breathe!" Marcus ordered.

Marcus was rubbing his back and talking the whole time as Christian was trying to get it together. Looking across the ring Marcus saw Roy sitting on his stool and he looked disgusted with himself. Marcus shook his head and went back to his son who was starting to get it together. Christian got his breathing under control and was able to stand after a few seconds to which Marcus put his arm under Christian's arms to make sure he would be OK. The crowd cheered as Christian got to his feet and gave him a standing ovation.

"No shame kid! You got this. It's alright buddy!" he complimented his son and hugged his head.

The referee came back into the ring with the commissioner of the event and after a brief moment of conversation they were handed a score card. Going to the center of the ring the announcer came in and the hushed crowd listened as the announcement was made.

"Ladies and gentlemen we have a stop to the bout by the referee for illegal low blows. As per rules we are going to have a technical decision We now go to the score cards. The scores are unanimous and the results is we have a new light heavy weight champion! Christian Belgado!"

As the announcement was made Christian's eyes watered and he raised his hands to the applause of all in attendance. His eyes filled with tears as the commissioner put the belt around his waist and after he snapped it on Christian turned to Marcus and fell into his arms. Marcus lifted his son into the air and Christian sobbed loudly. He won, but inside he felt cheated somehow. He turned to his opponent who shook his hands and did something Christian didn't expect.

"Great fight man! You earned it dude!" Roy said sincerely.

Roy hugged him and raised his hand acknowledging defeat and the crowd applauded the gesture. Roy went back to the ring entrance and left. Christian did an interview and Marcus translated as his English wasn't too good when he was emotional like he currently was. The crowd applauded his efforts and as soon as they were done he took several pictures for the blog as well as for the papers. He and Marcus walked to the locker room and as they entered it Christian went to the table and flopped on it. His body ached and he felt like he was going to be sick.