Chapter 46: Javier vs Wells II
The bell clanged through the venue like salvation. Wells walked calmly to his corner, barely breathing hard, acknowledging his supporters with a slight nod. Javier trudged back on unsteady legs, his face flushed with effort and embarrassment.
Javier dropped onto his stool heavily, his legs feeling like rubber. His breathing came in sharp, ragged gasps despite only two minutes of action. Sweat poured down his face, stinging his eyes and mixing with the petroleum jelly Miguel had applied.
Miguel didn’t panic or show disappointment. He spoke steadily while checking Javier’s face methodically for cuts or swelling. "You’re trying too hard to force everything. Relax and let your boxing happen naturally. Stop chasing him around - make him come to you."
Javier could barely speak between desperate gulps of water. "He’s too good, Miguel. I can’t touch him clean. Every time I throw, he’s already gone." His voice carried defeat that hadn’t been there before the fight started.
"You caught him clean with that hook to the ribs. He felt it - I saw his face. You belong in this ring - just box smarter, not harder." Miguel applied fresh petroleum jelly to Javier’s face.
"Two more minutes. Give me two minutes of intelligent boxing."
The Marcus Garvey section looked genuinely worried now. Dr. Vasquez clutched her hands together, knuckles white with tension. Kevin and David waved their signs less enthusiastically, uncertainty creeping into their young faces.
Across the ring, Wells sat relaxed on his stool, receiving minimal instruction from his corner. His breathing was completely controlled, his confidence obvious in every movement. He glanced over at Javier with professional assessment, not malice - just sizing up a problem he’d already solved.
Tommy pressed against the barrier, his voice hoarse from shouting. "You got this, Javi! One round at a time! Box like we practiced!" His recent victory gave his words extra weight.
The ten-second warning buzzer sounded through the venue. Miguel pulled the stool away and gripped Javier’s shoulders firmly, looking directly into his eyes. "Trust everything we’ve worked on. Box smart, not hard. You’ve got the skills - just use them."
[ENDURANCE: 0/100 → 3/100]
[READY FOR ROUND 2]