Natalia wiped the sweat from her face with a towel, frowning as she glanced toward the gym's entrance from her spot on the bench. There was still no sign of movement.
Today was the day of Jason and Mathew's rematch sparring session.
Ever since she had challenged Mathew to fight Jason to earn her help, he had stopped coming to the gym. At first, she thought he might have run away from boxing altogether.
"Well... it would be a bit weird if we trained in the same gym, right?" Mathew had said when she asked why he hadn't shown up.
Although she found his reasoning childish, she could understand his hesitation. It would indeed be awkward for two boxers who were set to fight each other to train in the same facility leading up to their match.
"Isn't today the day of our spar? Where's the kid?" Jason asked as he approached Natalia, his body glistening with sweat and his gloves slung over his shoulders. His confidence was palpable, adding a layer of tension to the air. "How disappointing. I was looking forward to a good warm-up."
"He'll come," Natalia replied, trying to sound reassuring.
"Still, it's not like you to make deals like this. Why did you tell him you'd help him if he beats me? While the kid has potential, he's not ready for the world of professional boxing." Jason sat down beside her and wiped some sweat off his neck. Natalia frowned and avoided eye contact.
"That's exactly why. After he loses to you, I'm sure he'll move past this ridiculous phase," Natalia replied, clenching her fists. "Thank you again for agreeing to this. I know you're busy preparing for your next fight, and you didn't have to take this on, so I really appreciate it."
"Don't worry about it. I'm happy to help set the kid straight."
"I wouldn't count Mathew out just yet," Harrison said as he walked over to the ring. His back to the two. "He may just surprise us all."
Natalia was about to ask what he meant, but the gym's front door swung open to reveal Mathew. His green eyes scanned the gym before falling on the trio. With a smile on his face, he made his way to them. "Sorry, I'm late. The traffic was terrible."
Jason grinned and stood up. "Don't worry about it, kid. Now then, get your hands wrapped up, and we'll get to it."
Mathew nodded and walked into the gym's locker room to change. Stepping out, he sat down next to Natalia and started wrapping his hands. "I hope you didn't forget our deal, Nat." He said with a smile.
"I didn't. And don't call me that." Natalia huffed with annoyance, but her eyes were examining Mathew's body.
He's different. His muscles have gotten stronger. She thought before staring at Mathew's thicker neck. What kind of training have you been doing all this time?
Once he was finished, Mathew stood up and looked down at Natalia with a relaxed grin. "Wish me luck."
"No way." Natalia rose as well and flicked Mathew's forehead. "A real boxer relies on his skills. Not luck."
Chuckling, Mathew nodded and climbed into the ring. Once inside, he saw Cory standing between him and Jason to act as the ref. From outside the ring, Harrison examined Mathew's body with a calculating gaze. Finding something no one else had, the retired legend smiled.
"Given the stakes of this spar, we're going to set it up differently from last time. This match will consist of three three-minute rounds. The first person to fall three times will automatically lose. Cory will be your referee for this spar. Is that clear?" Harrison asked, crossing his arms.
Mathew and Jason nodded in agreement. After touching gloves, the two fighters returned to their corners to wait. A few members of the gym gathered around the ring to watch while the others continued with their training.
From beside her grandfather, Natalia sighed and focused on the ring. Her eyes locked on Mathew's relaxed stance. No matter how much training you've done, it won't be enough to beat Jason. Hopefully, once this is over, you'll drop this idea of entering the tournament.
Jason sighed and raised his guard, his eyes staring lazily at Mathew.
Let's get this over with already-
His mind came to a halt as Mathew lifted his guard, the subtle crackle of tension filling the space between them.
Yet, unlike their initial spar, a palpable shift had unfolded. Beneath the confines of his headgear, Mathew's once-vibrant green eyes had transformed into dark, cold pools of viridescent intensity, reflecting an unsettling intent.
The very atmosphere felt charged, dense with anticipation, causing Jason and even Cory to tighten their stances instinctively.
Being the legend he was, Harrison immediately picked up this change without standing in the ring.
"Box!" Harrison said as he rang a small bell.
Jason had anticipated Mathew to rush in and attack like before, but to his surprise, Mathew began to move around the ring slowly and carefully. The two soon began to circle around one another, their eyes locked on each other's form.
Stepping, Jason sent out two quick jabs at Mathew's head.
I can see it. Mathew thought and moved his head left and right. Avoiding the jabs within a hair's breadth of one another and surprising those watching at his precise movements. I knew it. My new observational skills are helping me predict his movements.
Despite being momentarily surprised at his opponent's reaction, Jason moved in closer and unleashed a one-two combo.
Mathew stepped into a new angle and parried Jason's strikes. With a twist of his hipe, Mathew launched a right-straight at Jason's head. Slipping to the left, Jason avoided the punch and retaliated with a hook.
Darting back, Mathew watched Jason's hook strike the air with a calm expression.
"No way... how is he moving like that?" Natalia muttered as she watched both fighters stare at one another, debating their next move. "It's as if he's a completely different fighter."
He's changed. I expected him to rush me like before, but he's moving with caution. Jason thought while he and his opponent circled one another. I may have been wrong about you, kid. Let's kick things up a notch.
Bursting forward, Jason unleashed blow after blow at Mathew's head. Each punch is backed with fierce power.
But to Jason's surprise, Mathew was able to weave, slip, block, and parry all his blows. His green eyes trace every move and subtly shift of his body. Grunting in annoyance, Jason swung his left fist at the side of Mathew's head.
Slipping the punch, Mathew landed a counter on Jason's head. Jolting the 23-year-old fighter's head back.
Seeing Jason's guard down, Mathew rushed in to land a devastating hook.
What? Mathew thought as his vision blurred after Jason's right fist busted itself into his cheek. I didn't expect him to recover so quickly!
You may have gotten better, but you still lack experience. Jason rushed in to deliver four consecutive jabs to Mathew's head. Twisting his hips, Jason's right fist crashed into Mathew's face. Knocking him down.
"Down! Get to your neutral corner!" Cory stepped in between the two.
Damn it. He's good. My head feels like it's spinning. Mathew blinked the stars out of his vision as Cory began the ten count. With a grunt, he pushed himself up and raised his guard. I can't take him on head-to-head. My attacks aren't strong enough yet. I need to focus on dodging and countering!
"Box!" Cory said and backed away.
As soon as Cory was out of the way, Jason dashed in and rained punch after punch at Mathew. Due to not being ready for the onslaught, he was pushed back all the way to the ropes, where Jason continued his long string of punches.
Using his tight guard, Mathew could do nothing but defend his head from Jason's unwavering punches.
It was only due to Mathew's strong muscles that he was able to absorb each new blow.
"Geh! Get out of there!" Natalia growled out. "Get off the ropes!"
Heading her advice, Mathew tried to slip away, but Jason blocked his path of escape each time. Leaving Mathew in a dire situation.
A loud bell rang, and Cory stepped in between both fighters. "Stop! The first round is over! To your corners!"