Alex smiled, shook his hand, and waved goodbye. The next day, Alex returned to the gym and began his usual training. But something felt… off.
People were looking at him—faces tense, eyes worried. Even the gym atmosphere seemed heavier than usual.
Then the coach approached him.
"Hey, young man. Do you think you're ready for this moment?"
Alex paused, confused.
"What moment?"
The coach's voice turned serious.
"Your next opponent is no joke. He's an elite boxer—he can take someone down with a single punch, sometimes in under a second. When you're in the ring with him, it'll feel like death is waiting just outside the ropes."
Alex swallowed hard.
"Yeah… I'm ready. Who is he?"
The coach showed him a tablet screen.
"Joe Black. An elite fighter. Famous for his knockout power and aggressive, no-mercy style."
Alex stared at the photo. Joe's eyes were cold. Focused. Dangerous.
"So… I'm fighting this guy tomorrow? That's… intense."
"Don't worry," the coach said, "I've got some techniques to help you. You'll need to be sharp and tactical. I'm going to teach you the peek-a-boo style and a shifting technique. That's how you beat a monster like Joe Black."
They entered the ring. At first, Alex struggled with the new moves—the peek-a-boo guard, the quick head slips, the rhythmic footwork—but after an hour of repetition, he was doing it fluidly.
The coach clapped.
"Impressive. You're a fast learner! How did you manage that so quickly? It's a tough technique."
Alex shrugged, smiling.
"I don't know… I just focused on doing it with purpose."
Match Day
Alex stood in the locker room, staring at his gloves. His heart was pounding. This was different. Joe Black wasn't just a boxer—he was a force.
The announcer's voice rang out through the arena:
"ON MY LEFT—JOE BLACK FROM BLAZE GYM! AND ON MY RIGHT—ALEX FROM XANDER GYM!"
The crowd erupted.
In the center of the ring, the referee brought them together. Joe stared at Alex—stone-cold and unblinking. Alex froze. His hands shook. His breath felt tight.
Then he heard his coach shout from the corner:
"Hey! Ignore the stare! Focus on the fight. Don't let him control your mind. Remember the style—do it like in training!"
Alex snapped out of it. He stepped forward and shook Joe's hand.
Ding! The bell rang. Round 1.
Joe moved instantly—faster than Alex expected. Boom! A clean hit to the face. Blood poured from Alex's nose.
But he didn't stop. Pain didn't matter. He began weaving—left, right, bobbing, slipping—the peek-a-boo style Mike Tyson made famous. Joe kept charging, but Alex dodged and rolled. Then he saw an opening.
Alex launched a hook toward Joe's head—but Joe slipped it. Fast. Too fast.
He's experienced. He's been training since he was 18…
But Alex didn't care. He just focused on one thing: Find the punch. Land it.
Joe continued to dodge and retreat, avoiding Alex's offense until the bell ended the round.
Back at the corner, Alex slumped onto the stool.
"Stop chasing him!" his coach shouted.
"Let him come to you. Use your reflexes—slip, roll, and counter. Trust your instincts!"
"Okay," Alex replied, nodding, breathing hard.
Round 2
The bell rang.
Alex stayed still, waiting.
Joe waited too.
Then suddenly—Joe attacked. A lightning-fast jab.
Alex reacted. His body moved on its own—slip, roll—and just like in training, he countered with a vicious uppercut to Joe's ribs, followed immediately by a hook to the face.
The punch landed.
Hard.
Joe's eyes rolled. He dropped.
The referee began the count.
"1… 2… 3… 4…"
Joe didn't get up.
"KNOCKOUT! HE'S OUT!"
The crowd erupted. The medics rushed in. Joe was carried out on a stretcher.
The announcer was shouting:
"What an incredible match! Brutal! Alex just beat an ELITE boxer! Sent him home in two rounds!"
"Unbelievable!" the co-announcer added.
"He's just a kid, and he's already taking down monsters. This guy… he could beat anyone!"
After the match, Alex did what he always did. He went to the medic room to check on his opponent.
Joe was sitting up, a bruise forming on his cheek, an ice pack on his ribs.
"Hey, Joe…" Alex said. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit that hard. I think I took it too personal."
Joe smiled.
"It's okay. This? This is just a little scar. Nothing serious." He extended a hand.
"Congrats, champ. You did great. I can see a good future in your eyes."