In the Ring

That was a damn strange fight.

At least they went the ten rounds for it, but I wouldn’t have believed my own eyes if I did not sit at ringside and watch it all go down. Needed to have these notes as evidence for it, too.

Should we have televised this one? Not a title shot, but still, it would have been good to see some up-and-comers get their exposure all over the world. And I’ve made a little money, so, let’s take a look:

Round One:

Usual stuff about rabbit punches and anything below the waist before the bell. Rodriguez was hopping up more than West who was saving energy for the bell. Out of the corners, the first jab was Rodriguez (weak left that West pushed aside), and then they were at it. That first clinch before the round ended should have been the tipoff that this was different. The head gear and all that were up, but I swear that they were smiling by then.

Round Two:

Lots of damage to Rodriguez here, mostly in the ribs. West figured out how to stick and move more often. Only got a few love taps on the head for the trouble and this time there were no clinches at all. Just a weird feeling is all.

Round Three:

Crying? Rodriguez was actually getting the tears out; got stuck on the ropes, too (almost the whole two minutes of this with points taken off). It looked like West did not even want to keep going. I should have promoted this on the Internet.

Round Four:

Rodriguez got back to whatever it was the fight needed and began with some haymakers that did do their best. West seemed really surprised by all this. Probably the best round of the fight.

Round Five:

Like two kids in a schoolyard now. They just did not want to let the other one know how hurt they were. Right-hand leads never do the job, even at this level, but Rodriguez looked a little hurt. The corner man kept saying something about “this ain’t right; this ain’t right”. Yeah, it wasn’t all right. That’s why I’m doing this reading and scribbling.

Round Six:

Rodriguez got a good shot at West on the temple. Head gear or not, that gotta hurt. Down for a brief count but West would not stay on the canvas. And…Rodriguez wouldn’t let it go that way, anyway. I knew that something must have been going on when West winked and Rodriguez smiled.

Round Seven:

Like trading places, Rodriguez hit the mat for three and West got in the corner to wait. And then again, another wink (you had to be right by the ropes to see it and I was not going anywhere). My own theory about this one was becoming true: a set up!

Round Eight:

Nothing too dramatic, but I went over to West’s corner man and trainer to see what was what. They whispered it in my ears, and I felt like a damn dunce as the two of them kept the punches going, but really did not do much damage to the other one. Made me smile as I wondered why I had been so dumb about it.

Round Nine:

A lot of energy spent up there. Other corner man and trainer confirmed it and I went back to my seat to see Rodriguez cough up some blood this time and West backing away from it. Only hit the patron next to me, but I knew that this was real. That was a bad hit and Rodriguez got lucky the bell was there for that last punch.

Round Ten:

West clearly did not want to go on. Fatigue and empathy don’t work in the ring, and they really don’t work when the two fighters are friends. Friends? Better be clear about this.

Rodriguez did go down in a heap and West stood by the ropes, but there was no glory in the sweet science when they looked at each other and the final count came through.

DECISION: West

She could have celebrated, but with her girlfriend in a heap on a stool, it wouldn’t have been much of a party. The crowd was already out when West started to hug Rodriguez and then…kiss her. Kept rubbing that belly, too, like she was…

No, that wasn’t possible. They check on these things, right?

I think that I need to make a few calls.

*

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You can find more poems, stories, and articles by Kendall Defoe on my Vocal profile. I complain, argue, provoke and create...just like everybody else.

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