Chapter 44: Pressure and Victory
The bell rang for round three. Andre came out like a drowning man reaching for anything that might save him.
He abandoned everything his corner had taught him about boxing. No jab, no footwork, no defense. Just wild desperation thrown with knockout intentions. His coach’s voice echoed in his skull: "You need a knockout!"
Andre rushed forward throwing haymakers that whistled through the air very fast and powerful. Each punch carried everything he had left, but Tommy could see them all coming from miles away.
Tommy stayed calm despite the violence coming at him. Andre’s desperation made him predictable - he loaded up on every shot, predictable shots.
Tommy slipped a wild right hand that would have taken his head off. His counter left hook dug deep into Andre’s already tender ribs. Andre’s face twisted in agony, his mouth opening behind his mouthguard. The body shot doubled him over.
Andre tried grabbing Tommy to buy recovery time, but Tommy pushed him off clean and fired a double jab that snapped Andre’s head back twice. Sharp pops echoed through the venue like gunshots.
Andre’s legs were betraying him now. His footwork looked like he was walking on ice, uncertain and dangerous. Two rounds of punishment had drained something essential from his system.
Tommy sensed the finish approaching like a predator smelling wounded prey. He increased his pace methodically - not wildly, but with precision. Clean jab to set up distance. Hard cross to the body that made Andre grunt. Left hook upstairs that rattled his headgear.
Andre’s return fire became increasingly desperate. He threw a looping overhand right that Tommy ducked easily, the punch sailing harmlessly over his head.
Tommy came up with a picture-perfect uppercut that caught Andre flush on the chin.
Andre’s eyes rolled back. His legs gave out completely like someone had cut the strings holding him up. He dropped to one knee, his gloves touching the canvas for support. Not unconscious, but clearly hurt and struggling to remember where he was.
The referee didn’t hesitate. He jumped between them immediately, waving his arms without starting a count.