The spotlight hits me when I near the end of the tunnel and the crowd erupts as I start the journey through the crowd.
When I reach the waiting referee, it feels like a lifetime has passed. Then I see her, sitting ring side. I know how much she hates violence, but she showed up to support me anyway, because she loves me.
I stand, trying to clear my mind enough to focus on the war about the go down over the next twenty-five minutes (less if I get my way). I close my eyes, breathe deeply and silence the chaos in my head before stripping down to my shorts, taking a sip of water and putting in my mouth guard.
As the referee checks the length of my fingernails, my groin protector and my mouthpiece before frisking me for any illegal weapons or sharp objects, I stare straight ahead at my opponent as he enters the arena.
I know Lucas Stone like the back of my hand. I've studied hours of fight footage and trained my arse off for this, knowing that he is the one person that stands between me and everything I have ever wanted.
Entering my familiar battleground, my senses are attacked by the smell of fresh sweat from the previous fight. Heat burns down on me from the lights mounted above, highlighting the blood-stained canvas beneath my feet. A stark reminder of the brutal nature of this sport.
I pace the length of the cage, stretching when I get back to my corner as I wait for my opponent to enter. A quick glance in the direction of the clock and I catch sight of the huge screens that have been set up. Even at my size, I look like an ant in the 30-foot enclosure.
Lucas finally enters and as the doors close behind him, the crowd goes wild. Sorry, old friend but today is not going to be your day.
“And now ladies and gentlemen. Live around the world, and we are ready to go with this. The main event of the evening! Five rounds of action is scheduled in the VFL light heavyweight division.” The announcer continues to introduce the fight as I zone out and glare at the man standing directly across the octagon from me. “And across the octagon fighting out of the blue corner, his opponent. Standing at 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighing in at two hundred and five pounds. His professional record nineteen victories and two defeats. Presenting the number one ranked contender from Manchester England, Ethan. The Sandman. Brooks!”
A roar escapes me as I bang on my chest, channelling Tarzan. I'm ready.
One last breath and I march to centre, my heart racing as I touch gloves with the enemy, a show of respect between fighters before they beat the shit out of each other.
The next ten seconds seem like an eternity.
My jaw is clenched, and my fists are tight as I wait impatiently for bell.
I've been in this position so many times before, but this time is different. This time it’s personal.
Also, it’s been two years since my last fight, so the ring rust is definitely a concern.
In all honesty, with all the chaos of last week, I almost cancelled the fight. I seriously considered just giving up and walking away because without her, it just didn't seem important, but I couldn't. Not after how hard everyone worked to get me here. I needed to see this dream through until the end. When this fight is over, I will have my belt and the woman I love.
The bell rings, shaking me from my thoughts and I rush toward my opponent. We dance around for the first twenty seconds, both of us trying to figure out our opponent by throwing feints. Then, I confidently land a powerful right hook to his body that gets his attention.
He retaliates, throwing a combo of strikes that are mainly targeting the air in front of me. He's rattled but as a former sparring partner, I am all too aware of the power he holds behind those fists.
I can't let my guard down now.
“Sorry Ethan, we really need to get you warmed up before the fight.” One of his team-mates pops his head around the door sheepishly as I pry myself away from him, taking a step back to put some distance between us. Hormones are raging and it’s taking all the will power I have not to rip his clothes off.
“It’s okay, I better go find Lexi anyway.” I bite my lip as he looks at me with desire in his eyes, “Bring that belt home.”
“I will.” He reaches for my hand, raises it to his lips and kisses it softly as a fire rushes through my body, “I’ll see you after the fight.”
I walk towards the door as his team spill into the room, turning to face him before I disappear in the corridor, “I love you.”
Not giving him chance to respond, I turn on my heels and glide towards the main arena. When I get to the tunnel, it is bustling with activity and I realise the next fight is due to start any minute, so I need to find another route to my seat.
After asking one of the burly security guards for directions, I’m pointed to a large set of double doors that he tells me leads into the main part of the arena.
“Just follow the aisle down to the middle of the arena and you can’t miss it, Ma’am.” Even with his voice raised, I can only just hear him as he points me in the direction I need to go.
Moments later, I walk through the door, shouldering my way through the heaving crowd as the smell of body odour and alcohol attacks my senses. The noise is deafening, and a colourful display of silhouettes surrounds me on all sides, for
