The fight that lost it all, but hey I still got bronze :D

“Next Two Fighters!”

I walk out, my opponent is at least two foot taller then me. What’s worse is I recognize him. He’s the same tall guy that beat me in a tournament in Birmingham almost a year and a half ago. I clench my fists, and perform the customary bow.

“Shane be up for it!”

“You can do this!”

“Come on Shane”

Adrenaline enters my blood stream and every noise fades away to a false silence interrupted only by the sound of the referee saying “Fight.”

I launch, as does he. We slam into each other before pulling back to take potshots with our kicks. He tries to catch my foot, cheeky git. I side step his punches and then out of nowhere, CRACK! He lands a blow right against my ribs I stumble back.

His point.

“Come on Shane, Don’t let him take it away!”

“Fight”

I launch again. More kicks. All aimed at his head. None connect substantially enough.  I drop my foot. Like a cobra he strikes with a punch. I catch his arm and give him a punch of my own.

My Point

“That’s it Shane, More like that!”

“Fight”

We’re both more hesitant now. Light blows and dancing around each other. Nothing serious, testing the air, assessing weaknesses. Then he strikes more forcefully, a chase. I try to counter, my hands slip. I try to kick and my footpad is ripped from my foot by his guard. Before I can recover he strikes me right in the head with a kick.

Three points to him.

“Fuck”

“Shane double your kicks, don’t let him through!”

“Fight”

I’m a flurry of kicks, I need to even it out. He backs away. I keep chasing. He’s waiting for an opening and I know it. My foot drops. Smash. Vision falters and I see stars for a second. Such a punch to the head, completely unnecessary.

His point.

“Shane, Don’t let him win it!”

“Fight”

I’m gunning for revenge now. I chase with my kicks, and then just when he thinks more kicks are coming I smash his chest with a punch of my own. His ribs heave against my glove. He falls back to the floor in pain.

No score, too rough.

“Time”

I lose 4-1. Still at least I got bronze.