EXCERPT

All four of the men were familiar with a training room, some more than others. Probably the least so, is the trainer Rob. However, it wasnt evident by the way he handled things. If a problem arose, he had an abundance of very capable help. No doubt Lucky had been in this same room with contenders on other occasions.

Hank, in his boxing trunks, was on the table getting a rub down from Rob, when Al came in. Al, the equipment manager, brought the gloves, tape and other necessary items. He informed Lucky that the six-round prelim, before the Sawyer-Wilson bout, had just begun. At most, it will be thirty minutes before fight time, or less in case of a knockout.

With that bit of info, Rob taped Hanks hands and put on his gloves so he could shadow box to loosen up. In what seemed like only a few minutes, Al popped his head in the door and said, The bell for the sixth round just sounded. Be ready to go in five minutes.

Suddenly, it was crunch time. Hank had a determined look on his face when Rob asked, Are you ready? Hank replied, Lets go. As they opened the door to leave, the winner of the six-round prelim was announced over the loudspeaker. They walked down the aisle toward the ring, surrounded by silence, to find Sawyer and his handlers already there.

Sawyer, a big man, with a thick chest, appears too heavy around the middle and extremely hairy. He sports a three or four day growth of heavy beard meant to make him look like a formidable adversary. If his attempt is to frighten this opponent, he will have to look elsewhere. This bout could have serious consequences for him. If he wins, it will probably mean a big step up in the rankings. Although Hank has been sidelined for two years, his record speaks for itself. Any died-in-the-wool fight fan is not only familiar with the name Hank Wilson, but they also know his record.

As Hank climbs through the ropes, Sawyer returned to his corner, turned his back and looked out over the crowd. The entire Wilson camp saw that as a maneuver of arrogance but no one mentioned it. Ironhead, who didnt miss a trick, thought, That little move Mr. Sawyer, is going to cost you plenty.

The fighters bounced in their corners when the announcer stepped to the middle of the ring, signaled for the bell and introduced them.

In the red corner, at two hundred thirty-nine and a half pounds, we have Rocky Sawyer with a record of ten wins, all by knockouts, and one loss. And in the blue corner, we have Hank Wilson at two hundred twenty-eight pounds with a record of twenty-four wins, twenty by knockouts, and no losses.

A mild round of applause went up for each fighter as the referee called them to the center of the ring. The fighters glared at each other, touched gloves and returned to their respective corners. Rob put Hanks mouthpiece in place. Hank turned toward Sawyers corner, and touched his gloves together several times as the bell for round one sounded.

Sawyer rushed to the center of the ring and threw two quick jabs. Both missed their mark. Hank circled to his right as he flicked a left jab that grazed Sawyers forehead. Sawyer, with a noticeable disadvantage in reach, tried repeatedly to get inside but was unable to penetrate Hanks defense. In a change from what the films had shown, Sawyer was fighting both as a southpaw and right handed, apparently trying to confuse Hank.

Satisfied to get a look at Sawyers style in the first round, Hank noted that so far, Sawyer hadnt dropped his guard as he had on the film. The round was uneventful, with neither man inflicting harm on the other. On his way back to his corner, Hank glanced past the ring and noticed JoAnn in the fourth row, jumping up and down to get his attention. Sitting next to her was Phyllis and her mother.

The second round was more heated with Sawyer constantly switching stances, and trying to get inside, still without success. Hank landed several combinations with no apparent damage. Both fighters appeared loose but were perspiring profusely when the bell rang ending the round. Thus far, the match appeared even with Sawyer being more aggressive and Hank landing the more effective blows. In the Wilson corner, Ironhead applied salve to Hanks facial area while Rob reminded Hank to keep his left high to protect his eye.

When the bell rang for round three, Sawyer once again rushed to the center of the ring and assumed his southpaw stance. He circled Hank, tried to come inside then threw a jab and lowered his guard. Almost too fast to see, Hank went over his dropped guard with a left hook that sent Sawyer sprawling on his back. Hank went to his corner as the referee finished the ten count. When he went down, it was evident Sawyer would not get up.

The sudden ending left the Sawyer corner in complete shock. Sawyer had never been put down in any of his previous fights. His handlers helped him to his feet and returned him to his corner, while the Wilson corner celebrated the win in subdued fashion.

The ring doctor examined Sawyer and declared him okay. Ironhead turned to Lucky, I told you Hank could take him out with either hand.

You were right, Ironhead, a jubilant Lucky replied.

Sawyer was on his feet when the referee announced, The winner, in fifteen seconds of the third round by a knockout, Hank Wilson.

It was apparent many fans remembered Hank from before. Amid scattered applause, he took a bow, then turned toward the fourth row and bowed again. On his walk back to the training room, Hank thought, Tonight's fight is win number twenty-five, but as far as Im concerned its only number one. Theres still a long way to go.