Read Online A Shot In The Night (John Harper Series Book 2) by Edward Holmes - Free Book Online Page B

of
honour.  If I wasn’t nervous as hell about the fight starting I could probably
have enjoyed the rhythmic music and the intricacies of his technique as Micky
performed an aggressive dance before me.  I knew it was over when he stomped
loudly in my direction then Fraser got in the ring and the sounds cut out.
    “Right
I want a clean fight; no low blows although they are allowed in Thai we’ll be
easy on you copper and no rabbit punches.  The will be three, three minute
rounds.  If there is a knockdown you go to a neutral corner.  All points of
contact are allowed that’s elbows, knees, shins, kicks and punches to you,
Harper.  Now touch gloves,” Fraser ordered and we did as told.  Throughout all
of the prefight ceremony and now in the ring I’d stared at Micky.  I was trying
to show no fear and intimidate him.  To be honest I don’t think it worked.
    Stood
in my corner I turned my back on Micky for the first time and crossed myself
and said a little prayer.  Looking down I saw Tony staring up at me, “Watch his
high kicks and the elbows.”
    “Thanks,”
I said as he rubbed petroleum jelly on my eyebrows.
    “I
just don’t want him smashing you up too badly, bloods a bugger to get out of
the canvas.”
    The
music began again before I could say anything and the bell rang.  Turning I
sighed and walked out as Micky stalked forward.  Now if you have never seen a
Muay Thai fight you may be surprised by the music that plays and the ferocity
of the action.  Micky seemed to move with the music his hands open more than my
own and he stood nearly square on to me.  My training had me in a fighting
stance side on to my attack and hands raised.  I soon realised why he was in a
different posture as he delivered a strong right kick to my back that pushed me
sideways and nearly off balance.
    The
strength of the man was outstanding and he kept kicking at my legs and shins
that soon ached and reddened.  I moved as quickly as I could out of reach and
tentatively kicked low back at him as I didn’t have the flexibility to reach
higher up.  That was probably a good thing considering the quickness of his
reflexes.  Micky kicked me away with a standing kick that guided me towards a
corner before unloading a flurry of punches at my body.  I blocked as many as
possible before I grabbed him in a bear hug-like clinch.  I was bigger than him
and was strong enough to throw his oiled and sweaty body into the corner. 
Unfortunately I wasn’t expecting him to begin hitting me with strong knees that
had me struggling for breath.
    My
ribs ached and I covered them as I moved away.  He followed that up with a high
kick which caught me on the left side of my face snapping my head to the side. 
Unsteady on my feet he moved in and delivered more punches to my ribcage with
quick uppercuts.  Getting in that close in boxing would be a brilliant idea in
a straight boxing match but I lashed out with a right elbow that caught Micky
on the side of his head cutting him on the eyebrow and forcing him away.  As he
fell to that side I delivered a right knee to his stomach.  That sort of attack
would normally double over a man but it just hit his sturdy muscles and moved
him away.  I was hoping to press my advantage but the bell rang and Fraser who
had been acting as the referee put a hand on my chest and pushed me away
towards my corner.
    Three
minutes might not sound like a lot but it is constant movement as well as
maintaining balance and breathing.  So by the time I sat down on the wooden
stool provided by Tony I was shattered and soaked in sweat.  It was demanding
to try and punch down on the smaller man and I was feeling it in my muscles. 
Through laboured breaths I took on water, “How’d I do?”
    “Remember
when I said you were a brave man?  Well I’m agreeing with Max now, you’re just
stupid.  Micky doesn’t like getting hit and you’ve gone and cut him.  The boy
is going to tear you apart