Damon and Cellan stood in the center of the cage, the referee gripping both of their wrists tightly.
Deuce Baffer stood nearby, immaculate in his suit, microphone in hand.
Next to him stood Ronan Black, holding the glistening middleweight championship belt, ready to wrap it around the waist of the winner.
The noise in the arena dropped as Deuce Baffer stepped forward.
He raised the mic to his mouth, voice booming across the building.
"Ladies and gentlemen..."
The crowd stirred, leaning in.
"Referee Marc Stevans has called a stop to this contest at four minutes, thirty-eight seconds of the very first round..."
Deuce turned slightly toward Damon's side, grinning wide.
"Declaring the winner by TKO."
He paused just a breath for tension.
"...and STILL!"
The arena erupted.
"THE UNDEFEATED, UNDISPUTED, MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD..."
He threw his arm toward Damon, voice lifting higher.
"DAAMMOONNN... 'THE RONIN' CROSS!"
The place exploded into cheers.
