Page 70 of Krash & Bern

Dre Bricks was in his corner with his coach shouting in his face. I smirked at the young man. He had been talking a lot of trash on social media over the last few weeks leading up to tonight. The interviews from earlier this year had dropped, and he said he’d never take mentoring offers from a nigga like me. I chuckled at the thought. These young kids these days had no guidance and didn’t like to take heed from the old heads who paved the way for them. I wasn’t the type of nigga to beg someone to listen to me. He’d be humbled tonight and see the errors of his ways.

I took off my robe and placed my mouth guard in my mouth. I looked out at the VIP section in the front row to see Bernice, her parents, and my boys all in attendance. Her stomach had gotten rounder. She looked beautiful as hell in the dim lighting around the arena. I winked at her before I focused on Coach Larry.

“You’ve had a hell of a career, Krash. Tonight is no different than any other match you’ve had. I don’t tell you this enough, but you’ve made me proud over these years. Your determination to put your name up there with the greats has paid off. Tonight, don’t get comfortable. Give it your all.”

Because of the mouth guard in my mouth, I didn’t respond. Instead, I gave a confident head nod.

The referee called us both to the center of the ring. We went through the instructions of the fight. Once the first bell rang to start the first round, I was razor focused as I got into my defensive stance. The key to my strategy included me being light on my feet with my hands close to my face.

Dre Bricks jabbed me twice in the ribs, but I sensed he’d go for the body. Once he’d pulled out of the punch, I uppercut him in the face. He staggered back. After the first hit, I danced around the ring with sniper-like eyes. I needed to find my next opening. Dre Bricks wasn’t a bad opponent, but he moved wild. His actions were predictable.

If Dre had a good mentor, he would have known to watch film of my older fights. He would have had an idea of the kind of boxer I was. Instead, he grew frustrated with my footwork and speed.

Left. Right.

Right. Left.

Left. Boom!

My right hand swung out and jabbed him in the jaw. He staggered back. I didn’t wait to continue. A quick left and right to his nose had him laid out flat on the floor. The referee pushed me away from Dre as he began the ten second countdown.

“Down goes Bricks! Down goes Bricks!” the commentator shouted.

I moved over to the side and looked over at my family. They were all cheering wildly, hands swaying in the air, fists pumping with excitement, and mouths screaming with pride.

“Keep your head in the game. It’s not over until they declare it,” Coach Larry stated from the corner of the ring.

“Seven! Eight! Nine! Ten!”

The referee motioned the end of the game with his hands. The arena erupted as Dre was pulled out of the ring and taken to the back. A total knockout was terrifying—so I’d heard. The ref lifted my hand into the air and declared me the winner.

“The undefeated light heavyweight champion of the world! Krash Williams ends his almost ten-year career with no losses on his record.”

Cameras flashed, the ring was packed with reporters, and all I could think about was getting out of this ring to my future wife. This chapter of my life was over, and I was ready to turn the page on the next one.

“Champ! How does it feel to be undefeated your entire career?” one reporter asked.

I showed my teeth in a wide grin. “I feel blessed. I’m grateful for my team. Without training, guidance, and trusting these hands… I wouldn’t be the best. I tried to tell Dre Bricks and other young boxers to take the mentorship from old heads. We’ve fought for years. We know what it takes to get to this level. I tried to offer Dre the opportunity to learn from me, but instead, I’m going to extend my mentorship to any boxer—female or male—looking to be better than Dre and allow me the opportunity to pass down my greatness.”

“Congratulations tonight, Champ. How are you celebrating tonight?” another reported asked.

“With my family. Thank you.” I waved and posed with the title belt and made my way through the crowd.

The first face I saw was Bernice’s. I jogged over to her and lifted her into my arms. I spun her around and showered her with kisses.

“Krash!” she squealed.

I put her back on her feet and held her in my arms.

“First of all, congratulations, baby.” She kissed my lips.

“Thank you.”

“Second of all, don’t go spinning me around like that when you know your child doesn’t like all that movement.”

I laughed. “You’re right.”

“If you want to go out with the guys, you can. I know your match routine involves clubs and parties. I want you to celebrate with them and then come home and celebrate with me.” She smirked.

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