Six minutes. If Eric’s bout with Dan went the distance, it would last six minutes. That was just three two-minute rounds.
The ref called them to the center of the circle. There were no more bouts just then. This bout was the last in the bantamweight division. Whoever won would be the county champion.
The crowd screamed. Eric tried to block it out.
Sensei Chen gave him some last-minute advice. “Be first, Eric,” he whispered. “Don’t get caught up in this. It isn’t why you’re here. Dan isn’t here for this either.”
It was so loud. The volume rose as the ref spoke. He reviewed the rules. Eric and Dan stared at each other.
Everybody cheered for Dan. He smiled slightly. Eric smiled back.
Eric was so nervous. The nervous energy reminded him of his first kiss. It had been with Danielle. He found it odd how similar this felt. The energy of their secret history lit up the gym.
“Any questions?” the ref asked.
The boys shook their heads. They returned to their starting positions.
The cheering was deafening now.
Eric bounced on his heels. Dan did the same.
People probably wondered why they were smiling. So what? Eric didn’t care what people thought anymore. He just wanted to give it his all. Dan would do the same for sure.
The bell rang.
Eric moved out. Dan threw out some jabs. Was he tired from his last bout? It didn’t seem like it.
Eric rolled his shoulders. His punches hit Dan in the chest. Dan stumbled. Eric didn’t waste time. He shot in and grabbed him.
Dan was quick to sprawl. This neutralized Eric’s advance.
Eric started dirty boxing. Dan continued jabbing and moving. His punches bounced off Eric’s chest.
Eric threw more punches. They all missed. Then he attempted to shoot in. Again, Dan was too fast.
The crowd ate it up.
Eric managed to grab Dan. He tried to take him down. Dan put one arm in and started to choke him.
The crowd erupted!
It was a guillotine choke. Dan had almost completely out-boxed him. Now he was beating him with wrestling moves.
Eric quickly pivoted. He pulled himself out of the choke.
The bell sounded. More cheers.
Dan smiled. It wasn’t mean or coy. Dan had proved himself. He deserved to be in the finals. His skills were obvious.
Eric didn’t smile back. But he wasn’t angry. He knew Dan was in it to win. That was his goal too.
Let’s change things up, he thought. I have to take Dan to the ground. It’s my best chance.