The referee waved off the fight, his arms crossed. José Alvarez backed away, breathing heavy, sweat pouring down his face as he raised his gloves in victory.
Theo Brunner sat slumped against the fence, his corner rushing in to check on him, holding a towel to his brow while a medic crouched beside him.
His chest rose and fell hard, the fight still written across his body, but his eyes were clear enough to show he was still present.
The referee called José to the center. He gestured for Theo too, and with some help from his corner, Theo got to his feet.
His jaw was swollen, his eyes glassy, but he still walked forward, stubborn pride refusing to let him stay down.
Both fighters stood in the middle, wrists caught by the ref's grip. Sweat dripped onto the canvas between them.
The announcer stepped up behind them, microphone in hand, his voice cutting sharp through the quiet arena.
