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A Punchers Chance: Part 1
By Couture_Fan_07
Devon Paulson stood as he stared down at his feet. Sweat oozed from every pore on his body, and His heart raced a thousand miles an hour. The mat was cool where he stood. He swayed back and forth as he rolled the mouth-piece in his mouth. He could hear the cheers from the audience, though it wasn’t much. But, suddenly, the crowd roared with enthusiasm.
“To my right, standing 5’11”, weighing in at 205 pounds, fighting out of Jupiter Florida, with an impressive record of 12-3, Devon “Dynamite” Paulson!” the referee announced.
“To my left, Standing 6’0”, weighing in at 205 pounds, fighting out of Sacramento, California, with an even more impressive record of 15-0, the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, Gary “The Assassin” Archer!”
Gary Archer was a monster of a man. He had defeated opponents with an unbridled fury. He dominated every fight, usually going to a win, via TKO or KO in the first or second round.
It was May 16, 2009, and the WEC Light Heavyweight title fight was set in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Devon had been fighting in WEC for almost two years now, racking up and undefeated record while competing in the organization. He qualified for a title shot after defeating Steve Cantwell in a first-round KO due to a head kick.
The lights beat down on the two fighters as they came to the center of the cage.
“I want a good, clean fight. Do I have any questions from the challenger?” the ref asked.
“No,” Devon said as he stared into Archer’s eyes.
“Do I have any questions from the Champion?”
“No,” Archer said with a deep and confident voice.
“Alright, get back to your corners,” the ref demanded as the two turned and approached their sides.
“Hey, Devon,” Mark Phillip, his long-time couch, said, “Remember, take him down. Punish him. You’ll never get another opportunity like this again.”
Devon nodded as he turned and faced Archer.
Archer had fury in his eyes. That was the first time Devon had ever seen anyone stare him down like that. He had never felt this nervous in all his life and in just a few seconds, he knew, could change his life forever. His blood raced through his veins, his sweat dripped down his face, and his legs were a bit wobbly.
The bell sounded. It was time.
Devon found himself facing Archer. They paced the mat for a few seconds, then, in a split second, Devon was hit with a barrage of quick uppercuts and over-hanging punches. Devon put his guard up and blocked many of them, but one seemed to find its mark. In an instant Devon found himself on his back on the mat.
Archer raced to Devon, right hand cocked back, ready to pound Devon’s head into the mat. Devon swung his body around and attempted to get up but was caught by a left jag and knocked against the cage. Archer then put him in a clinch. Devon struggled for a few seconds, after being pounded in the thighs and stomach by knee kicks. Devon finally broke himself free. He ran around the cage to his right, and gained some composure. He needed a plan, a strategy. Sure, you could have one before a fight, but when it really boils down to it, you create one in the midst of fighting. Devon remembered how Archer never took any of his opponents down, but he had an excellent sprawl. Devon stared Archer down as he crept in low, hands tight to the face, bobbing and weaving slightly. Archer had his hands up as well, building up energy for another quick flurry of punches. Then, without warning, Devon threw and over-hanging right and clipped Archer on his left temple, stunning him. And in just that split second, Archer found himself wrapped up by Devon around the waist.
Devon drove him into the cage. Archer pounded on Devon’s ribs. Then, at that moment, he could hear the crowd chanting his name. Devon had never felt so pumped in his life. At that very moment, he knew the outcome of the fight.
Devon, with all his strength, lifted Archer into the air, swung his body around and began making his way to the center of the cage. Archer had no control. Then, Devon slammed Archer onto the mat, and took Archer’s right side. With this, Devon took a few seconds to catch his breath. He began to jab elbows into Archer’s side. And then the bell had rung.
Devon got up and approached his corner. He hadn’t realized that there was a cut underneath his left eye. He sat himself down on the plastic stool Mark had sat in his corner. Devon heard nothing. Every word Mark screamed in his face, Devon didn’t acknowledge. He knew what he was saying, but it didn’t register. Devon was in his zone. He could only hear his heart race. And few seconds pass and he found himself standing.
The bell rang again, and the second round had begun. They came out just as before, Archer looked composed, and ready for anything. Devon studied Archer for a few seconds, and then, shot in at his legs. Archer sprawled and in a flash Archer had Devon’s back. He knew this was a very dangerous position. Archer kept trying to sneak in his arm around Devon’s neck to get the rear naked choke, but Devon fended off every attempt.
Devon began to squirm his way through Archer’s arms. And then suddenly, he found himself free of the grip and then had Archer wrapped up around the waist drove him into the cage. Archer snuck a punch in off his back, and Devon’s eye began to bleed again. Devon got on top and mounted Archer. Archer put up his guard as Devon landed many punches to his ears and nose. Devon’s adrenaline was racing. His heart was pumping. And the crowd was deafening. He knew it was it. Archer’s nose was broken and spilling blood onto the mat underneath him. Archer tried to block as much as he could but it was too late. Devon caught Archer one last time on the bridge of his nose before the referee came crashing into the two and waving his arms.
The crowd roared. Devon got to his feet. Blood ran down his face and onto his chest, and he found himself lifted into the air by Mark. His dream had come true. He defeated the undefeated. Against all odds, he dominated with a second round TKO. He was at a loss for words. He found himself then standing in the middle of the mat, with his right wrist gripped by the ref.
“With a win via TKO, the new Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, Devon “Dynamite” Paulson!”
With his hand raised in the air, he knew he had become somebody.
5/23/2007 12:05:31 AM
(Updated: 5/23/2007 12:10:32 AM)
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