On The Line (Pre Match Rituals)

The final preliminary match up had now ended; and the crowd was red hot! They all knew in just a matter of moments, history would be made! Every man and woman in the arena had a prediction. Some were obviously right. The rest were, obviously, wrong---but that night, the crowd was split 50/50, in hopes that their choice in contender would be the one to take the fight! The mere thought of James Tovar getting his just revenge; destroying his enemy in the ring, had many women cringing, stirring in their seats; while others got a little hot and bothered with the thought of Richard Cuevas humiliating the champion for a second time, only now taking what should have been his to begin with! To say their own boyfriends or husbands were growing ever jealous, would be an understatement! The jealously would go down a little, though, when realizing just how easy it was going to be to take advantage of them that night...

Arena staff came out to clean the ring canvas; as blood had been spilt in the last contest; and to do whatever other duties they could, to ensure a safe and fair fighting environment. Neither boxer, nor committee wanted any excuses. There was going to be a clear winner that night. Soon the referee made her way to ringside. At Richard's request, the traditional, older gentleman zebra was now replaced with an exotic, younger and sexy lioness. Her skin was tanned and unflawed; her hair was long and untamed; her lips, perfect with pout. She would have to, eventually, count one of these men out; and if that man had been lucky enough to still see, at least gazing at her undeniable beauty was the reward for losing. Their wasn't one hint of silence throughout the building. Only cheers. Only hollers. Only screams. Only one man didn't hear it though...

The World Heavyweight Champion, James "Picture Perfect" Tovar, cut out all the noise and racket from his space; from his mind. The sometimes humble champion, even to the end, had been preparing, training and working his body and spirit to the limit. He knew that even though his opponent was arrogant and cocky in the ring, he could back it up. He would be no easy victory. To win this match, James Tovar had to be at his all time best! And so, without needing any more reason, he continued to lift his weights; lifting them high into the air, as if they weighed nothing. Suddenly, a knock at the door came; along with annoyance of now being interrupted. Surely, the press could wait for an interview! But alas, it wasn't the press or media, but lovely Izel instead. With relief, and a bit of suspicion, he would let her in...

The champion went straight back to his bench and resumed his weight lifting; not seeming to care that his arch enemy's lover was now standing in his private dressing room; crossing into enemy territory. And nor did she. She spoke:

"Are you sure you want to go through with this?", she asked.

James, politely ignored her for a second, before answering, "Did Richie put you up to this? Is this some kind of mind game? It's not going to work. I'll tell you that right now..."

She bent down, to stop him from thrusting another weight into the air and offered, "No. No, he didn't. In fact, he doesn't know I'm here. I kind of snuck out. I promise. I wouldn't lie to you. In fact, I've tried to talk my baby out of this whole silly mess, but his ego is just too big sometimes. You know how he is..."

James smiled to those words; he, indeed, knew how Richard was and was hoping, in this case, he'd die by the sword he lived by. Izel continued:

"Anyways, you're my best friend and I know you're not so hot tempered; you're a pretty mellow guy, you know? I just wanted to see if I could talk you out of this...but at the looks of things, I don't think I am going to be able to, huh Jimmy Boy?"

Jimmy Boy got up from his bench; leaving his weights behind; and began to spar with an old, bruised up bag. Every hit connected, every hit that would be meant for Richard; stopping only to say:

"Listen, Zelly, I know what I'm doing...and I have to do this. Your boyfriend is running his mouth; being nothing but sizzle and no steak! If I back down...if I let him get away with this...then I wouldn't deserve to have claim to this belt! So tonight, I'm going to lace up my boots; tighten my gloves and put him in his place once and for all!"

Izel could see the determination; the passion in his brown eyes and the calm, confidence in his husky voice, as he returned to beating on a defenseless bag. He really had no fear whatsoever. And maybe, she thought, would also be his demise. But her mind had now taken another turn; and with her face growing again with shades of curious red, she reminded her best friend of another promise:

"Well, I was also thinking...um...what if you win?"

"Picture Perfect" was now perfectly confused, as he jabbed away.

"Well, then I win. Still the champ! It's not that difficult to grasp Zelly."

Izel, now getting aroused at the mere thought of finishing her question; or rather, explaining further, without time to react, grabbed James' arm and kept him from finishing off the poor bag...

"I meant about what you said at the conference...about taking me home..."

The champion then, stopped dead in his tracks; accepting her touch on his biceps; contemplating what might happen at that moment. True, he naturally did have feelings for this amazing woman, who had been his best friend, for now over three years; but could he be as low as Richard turned out to be? He thought as fast as he could and offered:

"Oh, that? I just got caught up in the moment. I just wanted to hurt him real bad, you know? I didn't mean to disrespect you or put you in the middle of things. Don't worry, I wouldn't disrespect you like that. You are not some prize to me...like you are to Richard..."

Izel pressed her body up against James'; her large breasts smashed against his chiseled chest; her fingers playfully dancing up and down his frame; to his neck, to his chest and to his stomach. She slowly kissed his lips and admitted:

"Maybe I want to be your prize..."

She had kissed his lips again; this time with a little more force; a little more passion. Letting James know she was serious; showing him how willing she would be, to be all his...and he wanted so badly for that to be so. His conscience called foul though...

"Izel, that was the kiss of my lifetime. I've always wanted your kiss so bad...but not like this. And maybe you're right: The real prize tonight, isn't the title...it's you...so if I have to earn and fight for your love; for your loyalty and for your body tonight, then that's what I'm going to do! I'm going to take you from him tonight, and if I can't, if I lose...then I don't deserve you..."

The World Heavyweight Champion then stormed out of the room; now more than ever, eager to start this fight and have the girl of his dreams at his side after it. But would he fulfill his destiny? Would he be stopped? Was Izel telling the truth? Or had she been working with Richard the entire time?