Page 81 of A Fighter’s Love

Jenny rushed her attention back to the ring. Once again Jackson was in the corner. Grinder was ploughing into him. Blow after blow.

“No!” she gasped, clasping her hands over her mouth. “No! Dale.” She rushed forward, pushing through the crowd. She could stand it no more. She needed to be there, to get Dale to stop it.

As she shoved her way through the rows of people Jackson slumped double.

But when she reached the corner, he’d risen again. Seeming to pull in a deep breath, he rescued himself and dodged to the right.

Grinder followed. But Jackson was ready. He threw forward a punch that appeared to have all of his body weight behind it. It struck Grinder hard on the side of his face, covering his cheek, nose and temple.

Grinder’s arms dropped to his sides. His head fell backward, then, as if in slow motion, his body crumpled to the floor and he landed on his back. He bounced with the impact, his feet crossed and his arms went wide, in a crucifix. His eyes were closed.

The audience went crazy. Shouting and clapping and stomping their feet.

The referee rushed to Grinder. Started counting. He reached ten and stood, signaling to the judges.

“And that’s it. It’s a knockout,” Melanie shouted. “Jackson O’Brian is tonight’s champion. And so well deserved.”

Jenny reached the corner and gripped hold of the padding. Dale was staring into the ring, his attention on Grinder.

Panic whizzed through Jenny. She didn’t like the bloke, but still…

Grinder opened his eyes. They were glazed. He placed his gloved hand over his forehead and groaned.

“Is he okay?” Jenny asked.

“Yeah, babe, he’ll be fine,” Dale said, clasping her hand in his. “He’ll have a headache, but it’s what he signed up for.”

“Yes. Yes.” Michael whacked Dale on the back. “He did it. He only went and bloody did it. The guy’s a machine.”

“Yeah, he did, gov.” Dale grinned at Jackson who was pacing in the center of the ring.

Grinder’s team rushed to help him. He was unsteady but upright. McKillen stood between the two fighters. He clasped their wrists.

“And the winner is…” Melanie was shouting but her voice was completely drowned by cheering as Jackson’s arm was raised. “Jackson O’Brian!”

Jackson grinned, showing his mouth-guard.

Jenny thought her heart would burst with pride. He really had done it. The months of training had all been worth it. This was his dream. This was what he did.

Grinder slunk to his corner and sat.

Jackson raised his other arm in the air and did a circuit of the ring. The crowd was clearly very happy with their evening’s entertainment and the outcome.

He spat out his mouth-guard then looked toward Melanie. “Chuck me that, will you?”

Melanie smiled, fluttered her eyelashes, then passed the microphone down to the crowd. Within seconds Jackson was holding it, if a little awkwardly in his gloves.

“I’d like to start by thanking my opponent.” He gestured to Grinder. “It was never going to be easy, getting in a ring with him. And knowing that, knowing his impressive record, had me training harder, going that extra mile. And for that I’ll always be thankful.”He paused. “What can I say, mate, your reputation precedes you.”

Grinder held up a hand and kind of shrugged.

Jackson turned to the referee. “My gratitude to you, sir, along with the judges and the gym’s management.” He clapped, sort of, and the audience followed suit.

When the noise died down, he turned to his corner. “This guy, come on, Michael, get your arse in here.”

Michael chuckled and climbed into the ring.

“What’s a boxer without a trainer?” Jackson said. “A street fighter, that’s what. Something I never wanted to be, and this man, who loves this beautiful sport, is the reason I am where I am.” He wrapped his arm around Michael’s shoulder and gave him a rough hug.

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