Looking up to the heavens, I open my arms wide and thank God for being here tonight.
Even He knows I need this.
The referee calls us to the center of the ring.
I hold out my hand to my opponent and lean in, telling him, “Let’s show them a good fight.”
He laughs, thinking this will be an easy knockout—and he’s right.
We pat each other on the back before we fight, then break and return to our respective corners as we prepare ourselves mentally for the fight ahead.
The instant the bell rings, we both walk to the center and briefly touch hands as a sign of respect, and then our fists go up.
Right out of the gate, he throws a solid left jab at my face. I smile when I feel the familiar explosion of pain.
It revs me up.
When he goes in for another, I easily deflect it.
I start to move around the ring, bobbing and weaving as the two of us size each other up. This is where my gift as a Dom comes in. I am adept at quickly reading people, and I use it to my advantage.
It’s the reason I can knock out my opponents so fast.
This kid is undefeated. He thinks it’s his strength, but I know it is his weakness.
Confident in his victory, he believes he has already won the fight and is not paying close enough attention.
Taking advantage of his self-confidence, I tease him—like a cat playing with a mouse.
Too eager and sure of himself, I purposely put down my arms for a moment, luring my opponent in.
He takes the bait, too hyped up to resist it.
Instead of keeping his defensive stance, he gets ready for a swing that will knock me out. That’s when I slam his cheek with a solid left hook and, as his head snaps right, I follow through with a powerful right cross. His head pitches back the other direction and his mouthpiece goes flying as he drops to the mat.
Cheers rise from the crowd.
The Silencer is back!
Disoriented, he attempts to get back up, but he is clearly struggling.
The Barbarian’s overconfidence has cost him his victory—he just hasn’t realized it yet. I admire his determination as he staggers back to his feet as the referee begins counting down.
Rubbing his head in stunned disbelief, the kid stares at me. I know he’s wondering how a “suit” could take him down so easily.
Being undefeated, the concept of losing is foreign to him. I am happy to be the one to educate him tonight.
The referee looks closely at the kid, holds up two fingers, and asks, “How many?”
The kid answers two, then stumbles to his corner. After several seconds, he announces that he’s ready to continue.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” he states with confidence, meeting the ref’s gaze.
The kid glares at me, determined to teach me a lesson. He doesn’t understand yet that he’s the one who has just been schooled.
When the fight resumes, the kid and I briefly touch fists before we begin again.
I rub my jaw where he hit me and smile at him as a friendly taunt.
His eyes widen in rage and he throws a deadly punch, but I quickly duck and he misses. I immediately counter his attack with a swing, but he is ready for it and deflects it.
That minor victory builds his confidence to dangerous levels, making him vulnerable.
I duck down suddenly to confuse my opponent, and then immediately follow it up with two solid hits to the face with my left, a jab from my right, and then a hard hook with my left again.
He never saw it coming…
The kid immediately goes into defensive mode, blocking his face with his arms. No longer the aggressor, he’s become the mouse.
Even though the fight is over, the kid refuses to back down. I hit him with a punch meant to stun. His hands fall to his sides as he struggles to stay on his feet.
I look to the referee to call it.
When nothing happens, I give the kid the final mercy blow.
The kid stands there looking like a wet noodle before collapsing to the floor.
The referee finally calls the fight and I watch as the kid slowly crawls back to his side of the ring, not knowing what hit him.
I can tell I’ve shaken his world. Not by the blows he’s just received, but by the fact he just lost.
Once the kid finally gets back on his feet, the referee calls us to the center of the ring to announce the winner.
I stand proudly as he takes both of our wrists, and I glance over at Thane who shakes his head in disbelief.
In less than a minute, the previously undefeated Barbarian found himself on the floor—it is my gift to him.
The referee raises my arm. “The Silencer takes the win with a first-round knockout.”
I am humbled by the cheers and adulation. It has been a long time since I’ve heard it.
I look to my opponent, knowing what it feels like to lose.
Going over to him, I shake his hand in respect and pull him in for a hug. This fight isn’t personal—it is a competition of strength and will. “I wish good health to your family and close ones.”
He nods, handing back my cufflinks. “To yours, as well.”
Before I leave the ring, Grigor walks over to me, announcing to the crowd, “I’m a bit afraid to stand next to the guy.”
I laugh as I look up at the giant. The truth is, I could take him down if I wanted to, and we both know it.
“You showed us all a technical and disciplined fight. You were collected and accurate.” He puts his large hand on my sweaty back. “Tell us your thoughts right now.”
“First, I want to thank my opponent. He is a talented fighter.”
I look over at the kid with respect. I know that after tonight, he will become a much stronger fighter. Learning humility is the first step toward dominance in the ring.
I call out to him. “Respect to you and your team.”
Turning back to Grigor, I say, “Thank you for letting me fight tonight.”
Grigor breaks out in a huge grin. “We are pleased you came to fight. It has been far too long.” Slapping me on the back with his large paw, he tells me, “It’s good to have you back. Your skill has always been impressive to watch. It was a great fight. Respect.”
I smile as I grab the giant in a hug.
“The Silencer, ladies and gentlemen!” Grigor calls out. “Truly, one of a kind!”
“It is good to be back!” I shout to the crowd, and they cheer in answer.
Leaving the ring, I slap the hands of the people holding their arms out, then head over to Thane, who is still holding my jacket.
I’m riding the endorphin high of a fair fight.
“Impressive,” Thane states when I reach him.
I wipe the sweat from my brow. “What can I say? I learned a lot by watching the greats who fought here when I was young.”
He looks at me with respect. “You completely owned the ring and everyone here tonight.”
I glance around, seeing many familiar and welcoming faces in the crowd. Where before they glared at me in hostility and distrust, I see only acceptance and admiration.
“It feels good, brother.”
Thane chuckles lightly. “I now have a better appreciation for how dangerous you are.”
I grin. “It is good to know I haven’t lost my fighting instincts.”
“No, they definitely remain intact.”
Thane is looking at me as if he’s seeing me for the first time.
I like that.