Bell to Bell: A Boxing Story

CHAPTER NINE

"Ladies and gentlemen! I can tell that you are still hungry for some action, so I have put together a special treat for you. We have a surprise match tonight. A grudge match between two fighters that have participated in this tournament. This is a match between first round opponents Michael Brown and, finalist, Gabe Calloway!! Let's get this match underway!!"

"Don't think this win will be as easy as your last match, Gabe."

"It better not be, or else I'll show why I made it this far!"

"And the fight starts with Brown throwing a heavy left that surprises Gabe!  Gabe recovers, but is instantly driven back with a vicious body assault! Brown is dominating this round early on. Gabe cannot get his hands up fast enough to defend himself! Brown throws a heavy right. Gabe manages to slip out of harm's way. Gabe is now on the attack! Heavy blows from Calloway, driving Brown into the corner. Brown is getting a taste of his own medicine as Calloway destroys him with body shots. Calloway backs up, allowing Brown to get out of the corner. Brown throws a left! A surprise counter-uppercut sends Brown to the mat as the round comes to an end!"

"What a hard hitting round to start off this grudge match! These two fighters are showing why they deserved to participate in this prestigious tournament. Let's find out what round two holds for these two fighter right now!"

"Gabe starts out this round with a light combo, driving Brown back little by little. Brown's on the ropes, getting hammered by Gabe's combinations. Brown cannot seem to dodge Calloway's punches. Calloway backs away once more, allowing Brown to catch his breath. Calloway charges again, this time with more force. Vicious strikes by Calloway! Brown cannot get a hit in at all. Calloway is dominating this round, but Brown is not giving up. A heavy right by Calloway knocks Brown down. 1! 2! 3! 4! Brown recovers, but is knocked down once more as this round comes to an end!"

"Round three gets off to a start with Brown throwing a frenzy of strikes! Calloway is swaying between the blows with ease! A heavy liver shot by Calloway stuns Brown! Calloway is not taking advantage of his stunned opponent as he normally would. Brown is back in the fight! Brown throws a strike that is significantly slower than normal. Gabe dodges the swing easily. Brown throws another flurry of strikes, but none of them hit their target. Gabe counters a slow right with a heavy left and a follow-up uppercut! Brown is down on one knee! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! Brown is barely standing up, but he recovers just in time! Calloway begins to pummel Brown with light punches. Brown counters! A punch by Brown connects to Calloway's throat! Calloway is stunned and a right send him to the mat! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! Gabe is saved by the bell as the third round comes to an end!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, it seems that Calloway has suffered a severe injury to his throat. Medical staff members have informed me that he suffered a crush larynx during that last round. The staff has advised Calloway to withdraw from this match, but, ultimately, it is his decision. I just received word that Calloway has decided to continue this match. Ladies and gentlemen, I can't help but worry about the young fighter's health as the final round begins."

"Brown rushes Gabe, who is doing all he can to defend his throat from further damage! Brown is pummeling Calloway, who is defenseless at the moment. Brown pushes Calloway into the corner and begins to work on his body. A heavy kidney shot causes Calloway to drop his guard! Another throat punch by Brown causes Calloway to spit blood as he drops to the mat! 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! Calloway manages to get back up before the ten count ends! Brown rushes Calloway once more! Brown pummels Calloway into the corner. Calloway cannot defend himself as he endures this vicious onslaught of attacks. A surprise shot by Calloway surprises Brown, but Calloway is too hurt to capitalize! Calloway seems to be having trouble catching his breath! A fact evidently obvious to Brown as he starts to pummel Calloway once more! Brown is looking to finish this fight as he throws a viciously heavy right hand, but Calloway counters! Calloway is coming back with a quick, but heavy combination. Uppercut! Right! Left! Another uppercut! Right! Right! Uppercut! Left! Brown goes down. 1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9! 10!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, what a fight between these two fighters! Calloway comes from behind with an amazing victory, but one can't help but to think about the damage that he has received to his throat during this fight. Hopefully, Calloway can make a full recovery before the finals in three weeks! There we will see Gabe Calloway take on John Sloane for the chance to obtain, not only the Golden Eagle Tournament Winner trophy, but the Pro-Am World Boxing Championship is also up for grabs!"

As the announcer hyped up the crowd, Gabe was backstage with the doctors.

"Well, Gabe. It seems that you have suffered a great deal of damage to your throat. Your larynx is crushed and your windpipe is bruised. Now. luckily, you won't need any surgery, but as far as I can tell, your throat won't be completely healed in time for the finals. All I can say is take it easy, eat only soft foods, and protect your throat from getting damaged further. You'll notice that you'll have a hard time speaking, but that will go away in just a few days. Now keep in mind, you will be hoarse, so keep your talking to a minimum so you don't risk damaging your throat anymore. I'll see you a week before your final match and decide if you're healed enough to participate."

As the doctor left, the warnings that the doctor gave him ran through his head.

"I feel stupid. I should've withdrawn instead of continuing to fight. I just couldn't stand to suffer a defeat this close to the finals! My pride is what got me hurt like this! This tournament is what will decide what I do with my life, and I risked it all in a rematch that had nothing to do with the tournament! I was reckless, and now look at what that got me! An injured throat and a chance of me not being able to compete in the finals!"

"Gabe, are you okay?!?!?" Michelle asked, running into the locker rooms.

"I don't know." He said hoarsely." The doctor said that he doesn't think that my throat will be healed enough in time for the finals. I don't know what to do."

"We have three weeks until the finals. I don't think you should fight, but I know how much this means to you, so for the next three weeks, I'll help take care of you and help you feel better. Let's go."