Post by Icon Kellar on Oct 27, 2016 10:43:11 GMT -6
Kellar coughed, spluttered, and spat out another puddle of blood. There was no doubt about it, he had been in a war.
He looked up and around the arena, the crowd were on their feet applauding the effort he had just put in as the referee held his wrist. He looked across at his opponent, a pretty boy who less than an hour ago had looked about half Kellar's age. Now he wasn't so pretty.
Announcer: Judge Yokohama scores the fight 48-47 for... KELLAR!
Kellar raised his free arm. Half the crowd cheered, the other did not. He looked over at Sean, stood a few feet away, and saw that he had the look of a constipated bulldog. It was clear that Sean had everything crossed; Kellar's bouts had never gone to a decision before.
And to call this fight even would have been to do it a disservice. Sean looked back at his blood-covered client and friend, and nodded.
Announcer: Judge Nakashi scores the fight 48-47 for... NASH!!!!
Kellar sighed and looked across at the artist formerly known as "pretty-boy", who was lapping up the positive parts of an equally mixed reaction. Sean visibly clenched, and the crowd died down to an almost complete silence.
Announcer: And Judge Mito scores the fight 48-47 for...
Kellar's mind fell silent. All he could hear was the echo of his heartbeat, and the loud and fast breaths that he took. The pause seemed to last forever.
Announcer: KELLAR!!!
With a sharp breath, Kellar let out an audible roar of "YES!" as the referee held his hand aloft.
Announcer: Therefore your winner of this bout... and still undefeated after 14 professional bouts... "The Human Dynamite" Jon Kellar!!!
Nash, meanwhile, fell to his knees and buried his head in is hands. Sean rushed forward and grabbed Jon around the chest, embracing him in celebration and (literal) support.
Sean: Don't you ever scare me like that again Johnny Boy...
Kellar slumped over his friend and embraced him back and then, with help, made his way over to Nash. He helped him to his feet and the two of them shook hands and hugged. Both men knew how close it had been.
A few minutes later, Kellar winced as the ringside doctor began stitching the cut above his eye. In the corner, Sean was looking over the score cards.
Sean: I reckon it was that final punch you know...
Kellar: What?
Sean: That final punch, right at the end of the fifth. You hit the boy so hard he must have seen galaxies.
Kellar: He hit me pretty hard too.
Sean: Yeah... all three Judges ruled against you in Round 1. Frankly I don't blame them...
Kellar: Thank you for your words of support and encouragement Mr O'Riley...
Sean: Hey, it's what I'm here for.
The Doctor finished his work, and Kellar sat up. He winced again.
Kellar: Ugh... remind me why I do this for a living?
Sean: Because your bank balance just extended by an extra zero. You know... you should really reconsider pushing for a title shot.
Kellar: Nah... I came to MMA too late, no one would give me that chance.
Sean smiled.
Sean: You sure about that?
Kellar looked up at him.
Kellar: You've got an offer?
Sean: I've got an offer...
Kellar grinned
Kellar: Go on.
Sean: Nippon MMA Junior Heavyweight Intercontinental Championship...
Kellar: What's the purse?
Sean: $1.5m split 70/30.
Kellar: Nice!
Sean: It'll cover your investment in Underground Zero, plus a chunk of the refurbishment, and a little left over for Melissa's university fees.
Kellar: Speaking of...
Sean: Tickets are already booked, Sophia sends her congratulations and is looking forward to seeing you at the weekend.
Kellar: Great.
Sean: And so is Joshua...
Kellar smiled.
Kellar: Any idea who he's picked?
Sean: None whatsoever, though given what happened with Sophia and your history with Alex Cross the smart money is probably on Champa.
Kellar sighed
Kellar: Really? Champa?
Sean: Like I said, it's the smart money.
Kellar: And obvious. Then again, Samson wouldn't know original if it sat on his face.
Sean: Who knows, maybe he'll surprise us all?
Kellar got up from the bench and grabbed his kit bag from the corner.
Kellar: Well, we'll see on Saturday, won't we?