No Longer Unbeaten 2: The Rebuild *full series re-post*

“I don’t want it…it’s not mine…she’s the real Champion…I am no longer unbeaten…I lost that fight…I LOST THAT FIGHT”

     The words from six months ago still ring in my ears as I watch her stretch out in a dark corner of the gym. There is no denying my Champion’s amazing athletic ability as she begins lightly shadowboxing to loosen up. I watch her as she methodically and purposefully starts to wrap her wrists, snapping each strand of the elastic cloth down over her hands. I smile as I watch her get ready because this is the girl I know and love…THIS is my Champion! Her determination is unmatched by anyone I have ever known and her work ethic is in a class all its own. There is a fire in her eyes and an inferno in her heart that never dies.

      The minutes pass into hours in a moment. I watch her rattle off round after round of hard sparring, each partner she faces brings something new and a different, more difficult puzzle for her to solve. Round after round, partner after partner, however she solves them all. I can’t help but feel a sigh of relief engulf me as I think she’s Ok, my Champion is back! I reach in her mouth and yank down hard on her professionally-fitted mouth guard. She takes a proper drink of water after a back-and-forth three rounds with my Champion’s best friend.

      “Still think you lost that fight?” I whisper in her ear as I replace her mouth guard and re-tighten her boxing-style helmet. The look in her eyes provides the answer, the same look she has before every fight.

      Two more rounds and it’s time for her final match. I smile cheekily as I step in the ring. Excited, yet a little nervous, because I know this is when my Champion will let everything out. We touch gloves and hug in the middle of the ring. We get straight to work. Pushing each other to the limit, the rest of the gym gathering outside the ring to watch my Champion and I. Exchanging lightening quick shots with brilliant technique. The horn on the timer sounds and we touch gloves and hug once more, smiling at each other as we get help stripping off heavily padded Muay Thai shin guards, helmets, and boxing gloves.

      Nearly an hour passes before I see my Champion again. Waiting outside her car. Trying to hide her tears. I can’t figure out why she’s crying. She did an amazing job tonight. I pull her in close and ask what’s wrong as I dry her eyes. She’s quiet for a minute or two then looks at her feet. She can’t bring herself to meet my eyes. With a shaky voice she makes my mouth drop when she says

      “They gave her an immediate rematch, which I completely agree with…but I don’t know if I can take it…I don’t deserve to fight her…I’m scared of her…I’M SCARED OF HER!”