Page 89 of Spike

“This guy thinksyou’re gonna work the inside all night. He thinks you’ve already given him thebest you got. But you and me both know that isn’t true. You got more gas in thetank than that tub of Russian gravy, and you haven’t even begun to work fromthe outside.”

“Ya, that wasn’tstrategic, I just don’t wanna be anywhere near that guy’s striking range.”

“You’re gonna haveto be if you’re gonna make enough space to put your hips and legs into yourpunches. That’s the only way you’re gonna hurt this guy. But you’ve gotta besmart and pick your moments.”

I nodded. “You’reright about his cardio. He was already breathing pretty heavily by the end ofthe round.”

“That means he’sgonna be looking for a knockout early in this round, so stay sharp. Get to thecenter of the ring and be the first one to get off a shot.”

The bell rang, andthis time Arlovski had a bit more pep in his step than at the start of thefight. He beat me off the line and delivered a sharp straight right hand justas I made it to the center of the ring. My nose stung and my eyes filled withwater, making it nearly impossible for me to see. I didn’t even see the nextshot to my head coming, and it sent me straight to the canvas.

“Three…four…five…”I heard the referee counting. Scrambling to my feet as he continued.“Seven…eight.”

“I’m up,” Igrunted. “I’m up goddammit.”

The referee grabbedme by the wrists, checking my strength and balance. “Are you okay to continuethe fight?”

“Ishe?” Iasked, motioning to my opponent.

Kevin smiled andwaved me toward him.

“Alright, fight,”he called, and fight we did.

Arlovski threwanother straight right, which I easily slipped. I controlled my breathing andfocused on staying light on my feet. Another right hand thrown and slipped,followed by two missed jabs. This guy may have been bigger, but I was faster. Iwas still too close to throw a power punch but did my best to connect any timeI could, while continually avoiding his shots.

The crowd began togrumble, then boo at their champion.

“Knock his assout, Mangler!” a patron yelled out.

“What the fuck areyou waiting for?” cried another.

The hecklerspulled Arlovski’s focus for just a second, but that was all I needed. Themoment his head turned towards the crowd I took a step backwards. By the timehe turned back to me, I was already stepping forward with a right hand aimed athis jaw.

I connected,sending Arlovski backwards to the ropes, blood gushing from his mouth, hisbottom teeth having cut through his cheek. I looked down at my hand to seeteeth marks in my knuckles.

Some of thecrowd’s boos for Arlovski began to change into cheers for me, enraging myopponent.

“That’s the lastfree shot you get,” he said, wiping blood from his mouth as he moved toward me.

I covered up thebest I could, but he got in some brutal body shots, that were definitely gonnasee me pissing blood the next morning.

“Get the fuckoutta there!” I heard Clutch yell, and it was only then I realized Arlovski hadme trapped in a corner.

I turtled up thebest I could, but he hit me with a hard body shot that almost sent me to thecanvas for a second time.

“No!” I heard Trixiecry out above the roar of the crowd.

** *

Trixie

Clutch and Ropesyelled frantically for Spike to get out of the corner, but the giant man insidethe ring had other ideas. The Mangler rained down punches on a trapped Spike,who looked like he was struggling to stay covered up.

“Work out of thecorner!” Clutch yelled just as the Mangler punched Spike in the gut. Spikedoubled over, and for a split second, it looked like he might go down.

“No!” I screamed,pulling my sunglasses off, and throwing them to the ground.

I’d never beenmore terrified in my life.

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