[A/N: I apologize for not putting any chapters out yesterday! Life happens. I hope you guys enjoy]
8:00 AM, Tournament Weigh Ins, Brooklyn Boxing Gym
The weigh-in room buzzed with low chatter, the smell of sweat and menthol lingering in the air.
Ashan Korr stepped through the door
His eyes locked on the clipboard.
"Name?"
"Ashan Korr. 135."
He stepped onto the scale.
"133.8. You're good."
He gave a nod, stepped off, and walked toward the benches.
A few fighters were already there. Stretching. Eating bananas. Joking.
Ashan ignored them, until one voice called out:
"Yo, that's Caleb. 80–5."
He glanced over.
Caleb Monroe. Compact. Calm. Laced up in beat-up wrestling shoes.
The same kid from the video.
And in person?
Ashan blinked.
"Wait… I'm bigger than him?"
His eyes narrowed slightly.
His delts sat wider. His frame more filled out. His arms leaned but defined. Caleb had a thick neck and strong legs, but Ashan looked more cut, more athletic.
"We weigh the same... but I look like I lift."
It wasn't ego. Just… surprise.
A year ago, Ashan couldn't do a single push-up without shaking.
Now?
He looked like a fighter.
But he quickly zipped his hoodie back up.
"Doesn't mean anything. He's still 80–5."
---
Warm-up Area
Ashan shadowboxed in silence.
His gloves tapped softly through the air.
Jab. Cross. Pendulum back. Jab again.
One of the coaches on the other side pointed at him.
"That kid's got a snappy 1–2."
Ashan didn't notice.
His eyes were closed between movements.
Focusing on his breathing.
Clearing his mind.
---
"Match 6: Ashan Korr versus Caleb Monroe!"
The voice echoed over the intercom.
Ashan tied his gloves tight, stood up, and walked to the tunnel.
---