"Handicap spot's open."

"Oh, my bad," Mario replied, driving down the lot.

Luigi noticed Mario suddenly gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. Best not to push him too much. He checked his watch. 6:30 P.M.

He had insisted on going earlier than Mario intended. All he had to do was say Mac should get as much time as he could with Doc before the fight. He probably didn't even have to say that. Just ask to leave early. Mario wasn't in the mood to bicker. Getting crippled has its perks. Who'da thought?

"Alright." Mario parked the car and unbuckled his seatbelt. "Mac, come help me with Luigi's wheelchair."

"Hold on." Luigi placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "We got some time,"

"What are you trying to do? Mac needs to get in there."

"He'll get in there. I just need a minute, okay? It's been a long day. Can we just sit here and talk a little?"

"About what?"

"Let's just talk man. I just got out of the hospital. We really ain't said much to each other while I was in there."

Mario turned his head to the backseat. "Mac, head inside."

Mac looked out of the window. A long line was slowly going through the front entrance. WVBA security was standing around the doors while a few vendors peddled WVBA T-Shirts and other merchandise. One of the security guards squinted at the car, turned to a partner, and pointed. The other one nodded and said something on the radio.

"I'm good," Mac quickly buckled himself back in his seat.

"So, how's the plumbing business going? How's the apartment?" Luigi asked. "You haven't talked about it at all lately. I mean I saw you put boxes inside your room the other day, but-"

"It's over. It's gone. Super Mario Bros. Plumbing is finished. Anything that's not upstairs went to Goodwill. I've put this whole fiasco behind us. Can you please stop talking about it?!" Mario snapped. "It was a mistake, and I've dealt with it. Don't talk about it like it's something to celebrate."

"Look, I know how bad you feel, but I dont blame you for anything," Luigi replied. "I dont regret starting this plumbing business with you. Hundreds of businesses go out every year. We didn't. We made it. We kept afloat. And we got Mac, and we got Hiro and Kiyo. This has been a wild ride, but if I had to do all over again, I still would have said yes to leaving the pizza shop behind. It wasn't any of our faults. Life's just a bitch sometimes you know? But it was good while it lasted. I'm glad we took our shot."

"That makes one of us." Mario opened the car and got out.

"Mario-"

Mario opened up the car door, grabbing ahold of Luigi's wheelchair. "This is about Mac. His fight is gonna start soon. Let's go. Mac, come help me with this."

Taking a couple of minutes to load Luigi onto the wheelchair, Mario pushed his brother to the front entrance.

"Mario, over here!"

His parents were calling him over. Doc was with them, along with some elderly lady.

"Mac! How you doing child?" Mama Louis gave the boy a hug.

"Hi Granny Louis, I..." Behind her back, he several TV cameras being set up around the ring. More and more WVBA security was looking at him, talking into radios.

"Alright Mama, we gotta get going." Doc grabbed Mac's shoulder. "Mac, let me talk to you real quick." Doc quickly pushed the too away.

"Are we going to the locker room?" Mac asked.

"No way in hell. Donnie probably got that place bugged down. I'm taking you to the-" Doc's eyes darted around the area. "He's got at least 5 people on us. Have you been noticed we been followed?"

Mac gulped. "Yeah. Do you wanna go outside?"

"That would just make it worse. We ain't getting away from these guys. Going outside with just them knowing where we are is a bad idea. Shit." Doc looked around. "Wait a minute, the restroom was one of the individual one toilet ones. Make a left kid that's where we going."

A finger tapped Mario's shoulder. "Guess who?"

"Pauline!" He exclaimed. Her outfit was a stunning red dress and black pumps, way too high class for an amateur boxing gym. "What are you doing here? And why are you so dolled up?"

"Ugh." She rolled her eyes. "My dad set me up for a date with one of his friend's son. Total stuck-up prick. Bailed as soon as he went to go piss. I remember Mac's fight was tonight so I swung out here to see it."

"Damn. Giovanni ain't gonna like that."

"He'll get over it. I'll just say that I came to talk to Donnie King about selling him another estate. He and Dad go way back."

"Hey, Pauline, it's been a minute," Luigi gave a wave and a cheeky smile.

"Luigi!" She gave him a hug so hard it almost knocked the wheelchair over. "It's so great to see you! I'm so sorry I couldn't come see you more. I'm so glad your back. Listen, when all the money runs out, come back to me in like a month or two and I'll try to give you a little more. It might be better if I find you, though. "I wish I could do more. I'm really sorry for what happened to you. I wish I could so more."

"You've done enough," Lou said. "Thank you for thinking about us. I mean it. We appreciate every dollar."

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats as the show will begin momentarily." The loudspeaker announced.

"Guess we better get to our seats then," Mario said. "We got front row."

"Same." Pauline smirked. "Last minute, too."

"I wouldn't step too close to that toilet kid," Doc said. From inside the bathroom, the two could hear a bell ring at the center of the gym.

"Is that for me?! Am I supposed to go out there?!" Mac said. "I don't even have my gloves on! Doc we gotta get outta here, I'm gonna miss it!"

"That ain't you." Doc waved him off. "They're gonna have a couple of preliminary fights so the gym can show off some of its other guys. Make the audience feel like they're getting their money's worth. You're the main event. You get extra time to prepare. You got time. Calm down."

"Are you sure."

"Positive, kid."

"Well, when are we gonna get out of here?"

"When you calm down and listen to what I'm trying to tell you."

Mac leaned against the bathroom door. Body swaying back and forth.

"I don't know what the locker room is gonna be like, so this is my last chance to really tell you what I feel. Listen, there is a very good chance you don't win tonight. You're gonna have to knock him out to do it. But don't get knocked out chasing him. This whole thing is a trap. Don't forget that. Fight at the pace you're comfortable at. Remember, physically, it's your against someone else. Mentally, it's you against yourself. "

"But I have to get that FIC contract Doc. With Luigi in a wheelchair, Mario and everyone else need it more than ever. I-I-I have to win. I just..I don't know if I really can. Do you... do you really think I'm gonna lose, Doc?"

"I'm saying be prepared to lose."

Mac stared down at the floor.

The ring bell went off again.

Mac jumped up again. "Is that-"

"End of a round, kid."

"Oh."

Mac stared down at the floor again.

The fuck was I thinking? Doc thought. Making this kid's first fight be for a FIC contract. I haven't even trained him for a full year. Donnie baited me and now Mac's gonna pay for it.

"Look, as long as you have a strong showing, it won't be too hard getting you into other, small promotions. This ain't the end of the world."

He grabbed Mac's shoulder. "Do you understand how proud of you I am? You've come so far in eight months. I'm honored to call you my student. I couldn't have asked for a better one. You gave it everything you had, every single practice, even when you could barely throw a punch. You were such a good student I even let you meet my mama. You're phenomenal, Mac."

Mac looked up at him. "You really mean that?"

"I wouldn't be saying it to you if I didn't. Now, just because it's not likely that your gonna win doesn't mean you shouldn't be giving it your all. I don't want you getting knocked out there. Give 'em all you got. Leave it all in the ring kid. You remember the plan right? He uses his left hand on his higher punches, and he used his right hand on lower body punches."

"Yeah. Watch his left hook. Don't step left too much." Mac looked down at the floor again. "Feign the uppercut if I'm in trouble."

"Good. Now, if you really wanna win, there is something else you can do." Doc cut his eyes away. "Actually, I don't know if you can handle it."

"Tell me. Tell me!" Mac said.

"Well, if you wanna win, you gotta taunt him. Get inside his head. If you do that, you can control him. Predict him. Make him do unforced errors. Then punish him for it."

"How do I do that?"

"Showboat a little. Hit him with a little 'Come on!' action! When it's safe. When it's safe. When it's safe."

"When is it gonna be safe?! I'm gonna be gettin' punched in the head, Doc!"

"Now, they're gonna have y'all wear helmets 'cause you're kids, so your chin is gonna be covered, as well as the sides of your head. This is Donnie King we talking about, so don't expect whatever you get to be helpful."

"Are you sure Donnie's that bad, Doc?"

Doc gave him a hard look. "Trust me. He is. With that being said, once you get this Cam guy off balance, if you really wanna knock him out, go for his liver. Remember when we sparred and you hit me in the liver? That punch with put anyone down. You hit him in his liver one good time, he's done." Doc tapped Mac's right side. "Right there. Right around the back of your ribs. You're gonna have to catch him when he leads with his right. Don't force it tho. Keep your hands up. If he exposes it, go for it. But don't seek it out. That'll only get you in trouble. Got that?"

Mac nodded. "Got it."

A heavy pounding rang from the door. "Security! What the fuck going on in there? Open up!"

Doc sighed. "Guess we better get a move on kid. Let's get you into your gear."

"Come on..." Mario shook his head as two more boxers left the ring. "I ain't here for this, when are we gonna see Mac?"

"You like boxing, don't you?" Luigi asked. "We've had four matches so far, that's like 4 Fun In 1 to you, right?"

"Man, I ain't come for no bootleg boxers, I want the real thing. I came for Mac!"

"The WVBA would again like to wish everybody here a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year. And with that, let's get to our main event!"

DING! DING! DING!

"Finally." Mario leaned forward, rubbing his hands together. "Show we what you got Mac, you can do it."

"Is it bad that I'm nervous for Mac, and I'm just watching instead of being in the ring?" Luigi asked.

"Nah, it's fine," Mario replied. "I am too."

The light's went out in the gym.

"What the-"

A single spotlight shone down in front of the locker room. The WVBA's theme music blasted through the gym as the doors opened. A team with WVBA gear emerged from the locker room, surrounding a boxer who Mario assumed to be Mac's opponent. He wore a yellow tank top with brown shorts and red gloves.

"From Manhattan, New York, weighing in a 5'10, 150 pounds, The Contender, Cam Titlle!"

"I thought the WVBA was supposed to be impartial," Pauline's expression quickly turned to a frown. "They didn't have guys come out for any of the other boxers."

"Yeah, you're right," Mario replied. "That was the gym's own staff that came out with the undercard guys."

"Well, this one is to see who joins the WVBA, right? Luigi asked. "I'm pretty sure Mac will get his own staff too."

As Cam got into the ring and posed for the crowd, Mario noticed someone excessively applauding on the other side of the ring.

"Wait, is that... that's Donnie King! He owns the WVBA!"

"He's here?" Pauline followed Mario's eyes. "Huh. I guess he is. He never shows up to these things."

"He doesn't?" Luigi turned to her. "How do you know that?"

"He told my dad at a WVBA show a few months back. He calls these things 'small-fry shit.' He didn't even show up for Tyson Michaels' FIC match, and Tyson was huge in Philly."

"Well Donnie King got the WVBA as the top boxing promotion with Doc," Luigi pointed out. "they're friends right?"

"No, they hate each other." Mario and Pauline said in unison.

The two shared a look, eyes going wide.

"Did one of you say something?" Lou asked, glancing at the three."

"Nah dad, it's fine." Mario swiftly dismissed it with a wave.

"Alright. Your mother and I are going to go get snacks really quick. You want anything?"

"We're fine." Luigi said.

"Come on Lou!" Yoko tugged on his arm. "I wanna be back in our seats before the match starts!" She yanked on his coat, ushering him away.

"Mario," Pauline said slowly. "I've met Donnie King. He's the kind of guy that would get someone fired for not calling him Sir one time out of ten."

"Doc has a book about him," Mario replied. "He seems like the kind of guy that would get someone fired for sneezing near him during allergy season."

"Even pettier. I like it."

"Okay so, what you two are trying to say is that Mac is screwed," Luigi's nerves were earing at him more than ever.

"Yeah..." Mario looked at the entrance. Mac, please get out of this in one piece.

The crowd came to life as All Along The Watchtower flowed through the speakers. The entrance song of Doc Louis for the second half of his career.

"I missed that vibraslap over a boxing ring," Mario said, bopping his head to the tune. "And I really hope Doc coached him right."

"And from The Bronx, Little Mac."

"What? That's it?" Luigi asked, mood souring even more.

Mario noticed King was snickering. "It's Mac Little-Martinet, you ass." He growled.

"Wow, there are a lot of people here," Mac stopped to gaze at the crowd as he walked out.

"Breathe kid. Breathe." Doc said. Just take a second. You can do this. You can do this..."

I can do this.

"Ready?"

"...I guess."

"Let's get moving then. Quick, do some uppercuts."

"What? Why?"

"Just do it."

Doc gave Mac a hearty pat on the back as the young fighter shadowboxed a few uppercuts making his way down to ringside."There we go, Mac! Remember, the uppercuts' your friend!" Doc said loudly as they reached their corner. "Let's go, baby, you got this! Ain't that your family right there?" He pointed them out. "Say hi, kid!"

"Go get him, Mac!" Lou raised his fist, trying not to spill his peanuts.

"Yeah, you got this!" Mario said.

"Go out there and win!" Luigi said.

"I believe in you! Good luck!" Yoko said.

"You'll win, no doubt about it!" Pauline said.

"Go on child. Get what you worth." Granny Louis nodded.

"They mean it, kid," Doc whispered into Mac's ear. "If you can't do it for yourself, do it for them."

"Hey Doc," Mac started, look on the other side of the ring. "There's this rat-looking guy in a suit staring right at us. He looks really pissed."

"You mean the Arthur the aardvark looking fuck? That's Donnie King. Don't worry about it you got bigger things to worry about. Focus on the fight. That guy was looking at you the whole time you came down, and he saw all of your uppercuts. Now he's definitely waiting on an uppercut that ain't coming." Doc whispered. "Use that to your advantage. He'll figure it out if you use it too often, but if you get in trouble in the onset, throw he uppercut feint. Now once that bell rings, they're gonna want you to move to the center of the ring, and you gotta step, you hear me? If he knows you're afraid, he'll use that. knowledge is power. You can't give him that power. So even if you're afraid, don't show it. Got it?"

Mac quickly nodded.

"The first thing that's gonna happen once y'all get close is that he's gonna throw a jab, so he can start figuring you out. Dodge that jab, and hit him. I mean it. Don't hesitate, hit him. With everything, you've got. So walk to the center, act like your gonna punch, but don't swing until he does. Let him have the first punch. Just be ready to throw the second. If he stands there, let him have it. If he moves back, don't chase him. I know it's gonna be scary walking to him, but you gotta listen to me. It's the only way you winning this fight."

"Fighters, ready!" The ref said.

The crowd was in a mitigated but steady murmur. They were ready to see what each boxing prospect was capable was.

"Showtime Mac," Doc got stepped down to ringside. "Trust the plan! Hit 'em, baby!"

Trust the plan. Trust the plan. Trust the plan.

DING! DING! DING!

"Protect yourselves at all times!" The ref said. "BOX!"

Mac moved towards the center. His head slightly tilted down even though Cam was taller. He didn't want to look Cam in the eye.

The hell is he doing? Doc thought. Mac was bowing his head against an opponent that was already bigger than him! He was gonna get caught! Before Doc could speak, Cam was already launching his left fist forward.

Mac swung his head back, then right. Cam's glove brushed against his helmet as he slipped outside of Cam's body- and the straight jab. He took a small step forward to the right. Threw his own left. Right into Cam's body.

Cam stepped back, taking a quick gasp for air.

I-I did it Mac looked at his gloves. I actually did it!

"That's what I'm talking about Mac!" Doc shouted. "Keep it up!"

Mac went for another jab. Cam sprang back. Easily out of reach. Using a few seconds to set himself to set himself, Cam smacked his gloves together before stepping forward back in. He threw a left jab at Mac's body. His right against his chest winding up, just itching for Mac to come in. Mac stepped back out of range to the side, stepping to the right. Cam stepped left. Another jab. Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab. Cam trying to keep Mac in front of him. Mac trying to stay out of the taller boy's range. The crowd grew quieter as no punches seemed to be landing.

"Mac ain't getting touched at all!" Luigi leaned in more with a growing grin on his face. "This is great!"

"Yeah..." Mario looked at Doc who was leaning on the ring apron. He seemed...terrified. Wait a minute. Mario thought. Is Mac getting closer to us?

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Doc drummed the apron with his fingers. Mac's out of range now, but he's backing up into the ropes! Mac's not gonna move in because of that right. Kid, I hope your paying attention to where you are!

Cam slid his right foot back in, closer to his left foot. He was moving linearly now. Mac stepped back to think. Why are you-

He felt his back hit the ropes.

Cam threw a power jab as he stepped in, getting much of his weight in the punch. Mac raised his right hand to block the incoming left. The impact had Mac's glove smack into his face. He shrank back into the ropes. Mac was practically blinded by his own glove. He felt something smash into his left elbow. Cam's right.

He tried to move right. Cam threw a jab to the left. It caught Mac as he lowered his right hand, hitting him right in the forehead.

Mac leaned back into the ropes, guarding himself. Cam threw punch after punch after punch in rapid succession. Trying to open Mac's guard. The crowd was getting hotter as the tension in the ring increased. Donnie King jumped out of his seat at the sight of Cam teeing off on Mac.

"Come on kid!" Doc said, Mac's feet right beside his head. "Breathe! Think! Get outta this! Don't let the pressure get to you! That's what he wants!"

BREATHE!

BREATHE?

BREATHE.

BR-Breathe.

Breathe...

Think.

Out of the side of his eye, Mac could see Cam's lower body. Completely exposed. He could also see when Cam's elbow retract and expand. That's when he's throwing his punches!"

Cam brought his left elbow back in. Mac surged forward, springing off the ropes for extra momentum. He threw a right fist into Cam's left side. Cam bent over as he recoiled from the impact. Mac threw a jab that landed right on the nose Cam's head snapped back. Feet already moving to regroup. The crowd popped for the punch, mystified that Mac had turned it around in an instant.

Mac chased him. He threw a jab to the right side of Cam's body. Cam held his right to his chest to cover up. Jab. Jab. Jab. Jab.

Cam threw a jab. Anything to keep Mac away.

Mac ducked under. He swung his body counterclockwise. His overhand right sailed in the air.

Cam's neck cranked to the side at the impact. He teetered over, his left leg over a foot off the ground.

He stayed upright, turning his side to Mac and stumbling away.

I can knock him out! Mac thought. His liver! Its... on the other side of his body? What do I do now?

Jesus, Mac's got him on the ropes already. "End this early Mac!" Doc shouted.

Mac stepped forward, pulling his right fist back. He pushed off of his back leg and jumped in the air.

"MAC!" Doc white-knuckled the ring. "WHAT IN THE FUCK-"

He swung as hard as he possibly could with his right hand, smashing it right into the side of Cam's head. Cam fell back of his helmet gave a nasty thwack as it smacked into the mat.

"SUPERMAN PUNCH!" Mario shouted. "RIGHT ON THE TEMPLE!"

"Go to your corner!" The ref shouted at Mac before bending down to look at Cam. The crowd exploded, giving Mac a round of applause as he walked away. Donnie King's face was contorted in rage, veins popping out of his neck and face.

"Great punch Mac! Doc said as Mac reached the corner. He poured a half bottle of water into Mac's mouth. "Don't ever fucking do it again!"

"Why, what's wrong?"

"That is way too easy to counter on the professional level! No one ever uses it because of how risky it is! Do you know how exposed you are in the process of leaving your feet, being in the air, and then landing back on the mat? I thought for sure you were gonna get knocked out! I almost had a heart attack when I saw that!"

"Doc! Hey Doc!" Mario called out. "What's that in the refs' hands?"

Doc looked back into the ring. The ref was waving his hand in front of Cam's face. Doc could see a small flash of white in the ref's hand. A packet of some sort...

Smelling salts. Doc realized. "AYO, IS IT OVER?!" He shouted at the ref. "START THE COUNT! LET'S GO!"

"DON'T TELL ME HOW TO FUCKING DO MY JOB!" The ref stood back up, looking at Donnie King with a gloomy expression. Cam was pulling one leg off of the mat, but he was still laid out in the ring. Realizing everyone was looking at him in anticipation, the ref jumped a bit. "Ugh... 1!..."

"...2!..."

"...3!..."

"What's taking so long?" Yoko glanced at Lou. "The ref is never this slow counting, right?"

"Well, maybe it's because their kid is why he's taking longer. But this seems really funny..." Lou replied, eyeing the ring suspiciously.

"I could be a better ref than this jackass," Mario muttered.

Cam slowly turned on his stomach. His arms and legs shaking, barely able to keep moving. Getting on his hands and knees, he slowly got back to a vertical base.

"...8! He's up! He's up!" The ref held Cam's arms. "Can you continue?!"

Cam nodded.

"Alright then! Fighters, ready!"

"Finish it, Mac. Be aggressive." Doc instructed. "Hey, let your first punch be a high-feint jab. See what he does."

"BOX!"

Cam stood still. Mac stepped forward. The crowd came back to life as the match continued.

Be aggressive.

Reaching Cam, Mac extended his left arm a third of the way forward.

Cam weaved his head to the side, shooting out a jab.

Mac bobbed his head down, weaving right. He pulled his fist in and lunged forward, hitting Cam in the stomach. He followed it up with a right cross.

Cam staggered back, hitting the ropes. The crowd was in a frenzy. They could sense the end coming with any punch now.

Cam covered up. Mac put on the pressure. Jab. Hook. Cross. Overhead. Jab. Jab. Hook. Jab.

Mac realized the way Cam's arms were bent, his sides were exposed. He swung his right arm into Cam's body, smashing his left side. Cam's body rattle, leaning over on his left side.

His right's exposed! I can hit his liver!

Mac swung his left arm out, bring it back in to smash Cam's liv-

"No clinching!" The ref said, getting between the boxers. "That's enough! Separate! Separate!"

Mac pulled back, confusion over his face. "Wait, what"

"WHAT CLINCH?!" Mario almost jumped out of his chair. "Doc, did you see a-"

Doc stared silently across the ring. Mario followed his withering gaze. Right at Donnie King. Doc made a C with his thumb and finger. This close. He mouthed to King.

The ref made Mac walk all the way back to the center of the ring.

"BOX!"

"Cam's hands were down to his stomach. Mac moved in.

"End it, Mac!" Luigi shouted.

DING! DING! DING!

"That's enough! End of the round! Go to your corners!" The ref waved his hands.

Mac turned around and walked back over to his corner. Some in the audience gave one more bit of applause, while others had been simmered by the ref's call at the end of the round.

"What did I do wrong Doc?" He sat down on a stool. "How was I clinching?"

"You weren't." Doc quickly shook his head. "Anyways, great round kid, that was amazing. The fans already love you. You can win. Now, I don't know what kinda shape he's gonna be in, but we need to be prepared for anything. You haven't won this fight yet. Don't underestimate him. He's had a round to figure out you punches. He knows you're either gonna slip outside his jab, our your gonna move in behind his jab and punch. He might be more aggressive with his right so watch for that. You might have to use more pull counters. He might also wait for you to throw the first punch so keep your jabs at a good distance and use a few more feints."

"Fighters, ready!" The ref called out.

"Alright Mac, keep it going." Doc stepped off the apron.

DING! DING! DING!

"BOX!"

The two boxers approached the center of the ring. Cam was looking much more stable. He kept his hands close to his body. The crowd gave a quick pop of applause before quieting down again in anticipation.

Guess he wants me to make the first move. Mac thought. He threw a low jab. The glove caught the bottom of Cam's elbows.

Cam kept his guard, shuffling in closer. Mac raised his hand to throw a punch at Cam's face. Cam reared his head back. Instead of a punch, Mac stepped back.

Cam moved in. Idly swaying back and forth.

Doc tapped the ring apron nervously. Cam's gonna wait for Mac to leave himself open. I didn't spend enough time with Mac on breaking a guard. But as long as Mac keeps his distance and minds the ropes, he should get through this.

Cam lowered his guard as he approached Mac, getting his arms back in punching motions. Mac kept his hands ready to throw a punch. Cam got closer. Mac realized stepping back would put him near the ropes again. He bounced in place. Cam got closer. Mac got ready to dodge.

Cam threw a jab. Mac slipped outside. Cam quickly pulled his hand back in, turning his body counterclockwise. His right glove snuck just under Mac's elbow. Smashing right into Mac's hip. Mac's body bent on its left side, his head bobbing up.

Cam took a step back, turning his body clockwise. Left hook rocketing right at Mac's face.

He's going for the knockout! Doc's eyes widened. "MAC! LOOK OUT!"

Mac reared his head back, right arm shooting up. He caught Cam's wrist and pushed it upwards. Cam's glove brushed against Mac's helmet.

Mac shot out a jab, hitting Cam square on top of the chest. As Cam pulled his left arm back in, Mac threw a cross. Cam's head snapped back as Mac's glove upended his chin. He sprang away, the back of his held folding in on his neck.

Mac moved in, just as he threw his jab, he saw Cam's right coming in. He pulled his arm back. Cam's glove smashed into his elbow, pushing it into Mac's side. Mac could feel his elbow pushing into his ribs. He quickly threw a right cross. Just to keep Cam from throwing another left. Cam moved his head back, taking the punch on the chest again. He threw the left hook. Mac shot his head down, tipping his right arm and shoulder up to stop the punch from going downwards. He stepped to the right and pulled back his left hand. Cam moved back and threw a short right hook at Mac's head. Mac's head was pushed to the side.

Mac's glove smashed into the right side of Cam's stomach. Cam doubled over instantly.

Big mistake kid. Doc grinned. Instead of throwing a punch at Mac's head, should've focused on stuffing Mac's left. Mac probably felt your hook, but you're definitely feeling his.

Mac popped up to see Cam hunched over. Cam had his back foot pointed away, hiding his right side. I can win! I just have to get past his left hand!

He moved in and threw a jab. Cam reached out to block it. Mac pulled his left back in and threw a right cross. Cam's glove flung back into his face. Mac shot his left arm out and shoved his glove right into Cam's cheek.

Cam stumbled back, practically falling into the ropes.

The crowd was at a fever pitch. The second round had been a slugfest. Both guys eating punches and giving it right back to each other. With a knockout moments away.

"END IT! END IT! END IT!" Mario shouted.

Mac punched where ever Cam's gloves weren't. He tried moving away but Mac was on him. Jab to the left body. Jab to the shoulder. Hook! To the chin! Cam pushed his head past the ropes to defend himself. Hook! To the shoulder! Jab to the chest! CROSS! TO THE LEFT STOMACH! JAB! CROSS! HOOK! To the left side of Cam's body. Cam jerked to the left, showing his right side. His liver! Mac turned his body for the pu-

"No clinching! Separate! Separate!"

"Oh not again!" Luigi cried out. "That's bullshit!"

The ref grabbed Mac's left arm and reached for his right. Mac tried to step back, but for some reason the ref was staying in place, anchorin-

Cam sprang up and hit the ref with a quick right. The ref dropped like a stone.

"Woah!" Mac looked down at the ref "Are-"

Cam's left hook hit Mac clean on the side of the chin. Mac's head nearly twisted sideways as his legs gave out. He hit the ground with a sickening thud.

The audience gasped, the entire gym going quiet in a split-second. Doc was frozen, mouth agape in horror.

The referee wiggled his legs.

Doc snapped out of it. What the-

The ref put his hands on the mat and then pushed himself up. Getting back to a vertical base, the ref barely reached for the ropes. He looked at Cam, then at Mac.

"1! 2! 3!"

"OH HELL NO!" Doc slid in under the bottom ropes. "THAT'S BULLSHIT!"

A team of WVBA security swarmed the ring.

"THAT'S AGAINST THE RUL-" An arm wrenched on his neck, followed up with a frenzy of hands bringing him to his knees. A knee pinned him to the floor.

The ref, waiting for Doc to be dogpiled, continued his count. "4! 5!"

"Hey, that's bullshit!" Someone in the audience yelled.

"Fuck you, ref!" Someone else shouted.

"FUCK YOU REF! FUCK YOU REF! FUCK YOU REF!" The gym chanted.

Mario and Pauline looked at each other. "If I can get to King, I can buy you a good 5 minutes. Whatever you got in mind Mario, make it quick."

"Thanks. I'll need it."

"What kinda shit is this?!" Pauline stood up.

"Mario, where are you going?" Yoko asked.

"Quick, stand up." Pauline to her. "You too Dad. And Luigi...you just stay right there."

"Don't worry, I'll watch him."

Seeing all those people get up out of their seats, the rest of the crowd leaped out of theirs.

"FUCK YOU REF! FUCK YOU REF! FUCK YOU REF!"

The ref, intimidated by the oncoming crowd, stopped his count again.

"Sit down!" Security barked. "Sit the fuck back down!" They got off of Doc to deal with the crowd.

"Don't you dare fucking touch me!" Pauline flashed her family crest on a diamond ring. "I'm a Ladee! My outfit costs more than your life fucko! Where the shit is King?"

The guards looked back at King, whose look of glee quickly turned to worry at the sight of Pauline.

"THERE YOU ARE!" Pauline made a beeline right for him.

"You're not cheating my kid out of his opportunity!" Yoko tried to follow Pauline, but security cut her off. Lou put himself in front of her. "Hey, hey hey! Don't you dare touch my wife you piece of garbage!"

Doc coughed. He had a splitting headache pulsating at the top of his head.

Mac. He looked up. Mac was still lying on the ground. Cam and the ref had been escorted out of the ring.

Shit. This is all my fault. Doc got on his hands and knees to get back up. He planted his right foot. It gave out instantly. He fell back to his knees. Damnit. Come on kid, get up. Get up...

Pauline got right into Donnie King's face. She almost regretted it. Her nose was killing her. His teeth weren't too stained, but she could smell the hundreds of cigarettes and beer bottles that had found their way into his mouth over the years. His dentist must be loaded. And overworked. Security had been able to push everyone else back. Lucky them.

"Listen here, King." She turned her head away and gave him a malicious glare. Half out of fury, half out of not wanted to look the ugly bastard in the face. "We both know you have friends on the inside of Wall Street, despite all the shit they been passing for years now. Get a new ref and a fair match. Or I'll have you spending Christmas in Riker's. I'm sure they'd have a good time stuffing your stocking. They'd pass your scrawny little ass around like a blunt. I'm not some dime a dozen city slicker Donnie. You don't wanna fuck with me."

Donnie scrunched his face up in fury. This primed and pampered bitch was pressing up on him? HIM? At his own show? Like her family wasn't doing their own shit. To make matters worse, he didn't have a second referee. His regular guy Earl had been sick, and this new guy Danny was a big a fuck up as one could imagine. Where was he gonna find a-

Out of the corner of his eye. A guy was standing in ref clothes, tie and all. Must be someone from this shithouse gym. Busting their asses to make sure this place gets its money. Sure as hell needed it.

"That guy. He's the new ref."

"The one with the red hat?" She pointed him out.

"Yeah. Happy now?"

She grabbed a mic from the announcer. "Say it so that everyone can hear you."

"The man in the red hat is the new referee for the rest of this fight!" His voice echoed through the gym.

"He better not try to fuck this match over." She stormed off after the ref.

"Bitch."

"You, what's your name?" Pauline snapped.

"Peter Cullen."

"You work for the WVBA, Peter?"

"No. I work for this gym. The..."

"Mighty Mike Gym." She whispered.

"Mighty Mike Gym."

"So you got an interest in Cam winning?"

"Look, Lady-"

"Ladee." Was the curt response.

"Ladee. Is that French or something? Anyways, this whole night has been a shitshow. After all this, let's just end it. So step back and let me do my job. Is that alright with you?"

She gave a sheepish look as Peter slid into the ring. "Everyone return to your seats!" She shouted. "The match will continue!"

"Doc...wha-what, happened..." Mac grabbed Doc to get back upright. Doc himself was leaning on the ropes. "Did I lose? Is it over?"

"Nah kid, it ain't over yet." A voice behind them said.

"M-Mario?" Mac jumped back in surprise. "What are you doing in the ring? And why are you dressed as a ref?"

"I don't know what you're talking about kid." Was the reply with a shrug. "I'm Peter Cullen. Boxing ref."

As the crowd took their seats, some of them were still skeptical about the new official. "Can we trust this guy?"

"Yeah, I know this guy!" Doc shouted. "This Peter! He worked the Supercade on Saturdays in Staten Island on Burbank Avenue! You can trust him!"

"Mario's a ref now?" Luigi looked on, running his hand through his hair. "How the hell did this happen?"

"Just let it happen," Lou said. "Don't out your brother.

"Who the hell is that guy?" Cam pointed at Peter. "I was supposed to win. Where's my contract?"

"What the hell Donnie?" The gym owner looked up at King. "We had a deal!"

"Wait, that's not one of you?" King's eyes went wide. That fucking high-class whore played him! "Just go win it already!" He shouted down at them.

"Boxers, to your corners!" Peter shouted. He looked over at Mac. The kid was still groggy. Doc himself looked disheveled to the say the least. He was sitting on a chair.

Whoop his ass, Mac. You can do it. Peter thought. I'll help you out as best I can.

"See what I'm talking about kid?" Doc gave Mac a bottle of water and down a bottle too. "Donnie King's a piece of shit. He would kill his own mother for a dollar."

"Yeah, I get it." Mac put his hand on his chin. It was still sore. "Ow..."

Not the time to rant about King. "Hey, hey, hey, listen to me kid. Do you know how special you are?"

"Wha-?"

"If this had been anyone else in the world, anyone else, this fight would be over. Because look at you. Look at the people around you. Take a look."

Mac watched as Pauline, Lou, and Yoko returned to their seats. Lou was holding his broken glasses. A line of blood was going down his face. Yoko wiped it away, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Granny Louis offered him a band-aid. Pauline was trying to calm Luigi down, who was furious at the site of his injured father.

"They all care so much about you they're willing to put themselves in harm's way for you. And then there's the one in the ring reffing the damn thing. They've given you a second chance Mac, now you gotta take it. And let me tell you something? Look at Donnie King, up in the seats. Look at him, all the money, all the power, all the fame, and yet he's here trying to stop you. You wanna know why?"

"Because he's petty?"

"Well yes, but also, he's afraid of you. You should've been won this fight. Here they are trying to pull every trick in the book to stop you. And you're still here. You are the future, and they are trying to take that away from you. They are trying to take that away from you. Are you gonna let them do that?"

"N-No."

"I need more energy than that Mac. Come on! This moment, right here! It's everything you've worked for. Look at me, Mac!" He grabbed his student's shoulders. "How much do you WANT it?! How much do you NEED it?! How much do you DEMAND to walk out of here with a FIC contract?! How bad you do want your future?! You want it, right?!"

"I-I want it."

"I need more than that Mac!"

"I want it."

"More than that!"

"I want it!"

"MORE THAN THAT!"

"I WANT IT!"

"THEN GO GET IT THEN!"

"Fighters, ready!" Peter called out.

"44 seconds left in round 2," Doc said. "Go after him. See what he does. We'll make a plan for round 3."

DING! DING! DING!

"BOX!"

Mac moved to the middle of the ring. The crowd was already back into the match.

There we go, Mac. Doc thought. Bring that fire. The crowd's on your side.

Mac paused, before turning his back to Cam and walking back to his corner.

What. Doc said, rubbing his eyes.

When Mac reached the turnbuckle in his corner, he turned back to came. "COME ON!" He shouted.

"What!" The crowd couldn't believe it. This kid was calling the other guy out!" They went absolutely ballistic. The place was threating to become unglued.

WHAT. Doc couldn't believe it. He knew what he'd said earlier, but he didn't think Mac would pull this now, especially after eating a left hook!

Cam, furious, came charging in. Mac had his arms and gloves covering his chest to ensure Cam would only aim for his face.

Cam shot out a left jab. Mac slipped his head under and moved right to the outside of Cam's arm. Cam shot out a right cross, but his left arm was in the way of Mac's rising head, so the punch hit Mac's gloves. Cam went for a low left hook. Mac pushed it away with his right glove. Cam went for a high cross at Mac's face. Mac reared his head back and moved left. Just out of the way.

Cam went for the left hook. Mac moved in and dropped down. He shot his right fist up.

Uppercut! Cam put his right elbow in front of him to protect himself.

Mac brought his right down and turned clockwise. His left gloved smashed into the side of Cam's body.

The impact had Cam stagger back before falling over, holding his side.

"LIVER SHOT! LIVER SHOT!" Doc yelled.

The gym exploded in an uproar. "THAT WAS THE MOST AMAZING THING I'VE EVER SEEN!" Luigi shouted.

"COUNT IT! COUNT IT!" Doc shouted at Peter.

Peter threw up his hands and raised a finger "1!"

"ONE!" The gym chanted. Mar-Peter jumped in surprise. That was loud. Eh, I can dig it.

"2!"

"TWO!"

"3!"

"THREE!"

"4!"

"FOUR!"

"5!"

"FIVE!"

"6!"

"SIX!"

"7!"

"SEVEN!"

"8!"

"EIGHT!"

"9!"

"NINE!"

Peter looked at Donnie King and made two fingers into a 0 with one hand and a 1 with his middle finger on the other hand. "10!"

"TEN!"

KNOCKOUT!