Page 37 of Falling for the Forbidden Fighter
Louis’s eye is shut.
He’s bleeding all over the mat.
And, of course, he’s smiling.
We rush the ring when the count ends. The arena is electric. I feel every cheer in my bones, matching my elation.
Ricky and I get ourselves under Louis’s arms, letting him finally feel the exhaustion he’s been fighting back for months.
My dad is holding up Louis’s fist. Ricky is laughing like a wild man. I’m cursing Louis for taking so much punishment to his face. Everyone is in a state of shock.
Everyone except Louis. I swear, by that calm look on his face, you’d think he always knew, without a shadow of doubt, that he’d win this fight.
That’s my man.
The announcer loves it, playing up the underdog, already mythologizing the newcomer who upset a title prospect.
Louis looks at me, only me. He speaks through the roar of the crowd. “I love you. More than anything.”
I don’t get a chance to say it back. They shove a microphone in front of his swollen face.
That’s all right. I’ve got my whole life to tell him how deeply I’ve fallen…
The announcer peppers him with praise. Everything my dad said about offers and fame and money is dangling right in front of Louis. This is his chance to take it, to secure a rich future and a legendary career.
Louis shrugs and speaks calmly into the microphone, “I’d like to thank Hector Ruiz for an amazing fight. He’s incredible, and I’m sure he’ll hold a belt someday. I’d like to thank my coaches, both of them, and my cutman… who I’m going to marry someday.”
Laughter crashes over the arena.
I blush and give them a wave.
Everyone wants to know more about this guy—the kid from Philly trained out of Don Winter’s gym in New Mexico.
Louis looks down at me, smiles, and gives his final words to the world of boxing.
“And I’d like to officially announce my retirement.”
I’ve never heard so many people be disappointed at once.
People are screaming, booing, and a few even throw things toward the ring. The announcer is so confused that he doesn’t know how to continue the interview.
Louis hugs Hector Ruiz, says a few words to him that no one else can hear, and returns to my side.
“Let’s get out of here,” he says, eye swollen shut. “I remember you saying something about rocking my world…”
“I told you you’d fight better.”
“Yeah. Yeah,” he laughs. “Now that I’m not a fighter, you’ve got no reason to withhold.”
“Good,” I say, guiding him to the ropes. “It wastorturefor me.”
I don’t know what Louis will do now.
He’s upset the boxing world, got his money, and earned the respect of my family.
All I know is that I’ll never have to watch him get hurt like this again. He could decide to dig ditches for the rest of his life, and I’d be happy coming home to his cheesesteaks, his smile, and late nights spent tracing his scars.
But I know he’ll push himself into something new. That defensiveness that clouded him is gone. He’s got people in his corner now, and I think he’s finally realizing that there’s nothing he can’t do. I’ll support him no matter what he chooses, knowing that he’s the type of man to give whatever he does his all.
