Preamble at the showdown the fighters eye to eye Droning pulse of discourse from the referee is dry, Bouncing back to my corner the butterflies take charge For the other guy’s a monster, like a Doberman at large.
Bell resounds alarmingly, I shuffle forth to meet A combination thrown with steel…it whacks me off my feet. Seeing stars I resurrect to lurch about the ring To try to keep some distance from the monster’s punching sting.
Roaring crowd are baying now they call to take me out The Doberman is grinning for he reckons it’s a route, The flashing light confusing, the noise a steady din As the monster comes in quickly to achieve expected win.
Throwing jabs to keep him back, retreating to the rope I cover up with everything to give myself some hope He pounds with his salvos they hammer hard and fast His breathing rasping in my ears I pray to God I last.
Saved by the bell and cold water, such disgrace The crowd are loudly booing, I’ve not put leather on his face, A wash of resolution hotly surges from within So I **** the mouth guard back and rush on out to tackle him.
Defensive expectations had him open up his chin So I feinted with a left and launched a mighty right with spin, Boring in with fury and a combination score I hit him with an uppercut which traversed from the floor.
Miraculously the eyeballs rolled and disappeared from sight I threw another flurry…but had no one to fight Flat out on the deck he lay, the Doberman was out As I bounced around like Rocky to the punters frenzied shout.
Camera flashes blinded as the raving crowd went wild. It defied all expectations, I was the sacrificial child. Bets were laid that I would fall within a round or two The screaming din reflected that all bets were in the poo.
The countdown took forever and I swear I watched each stroke And kept one eye on the fallen, should he rise he’d go for broke, My amazement with two wobbly knees and heaving lungs of fire When my leaden glove was held aloft to victory entire.
Winners come and winners go but this I’ll not forget When fortune favoured sweetly…and I collected on the bet!
Marshalg My thanks to Shane Cameron…a real fighter. 14 April 2013 (Pukehana Paradise)