[kenyan_cheena]

(continuation of post #309)

Main Event

Having already seen two of their countrymen fall to defeat, the Mexican members of the crowd gave Javier Aguirre a deafening welcome as he made his way to the ring, those chants of "Aguirre!" and "Mexico!" that had been silenced for most of the evening making a thunderous return. There were a bunch of Mexican flags throughout the arena and they were being waved vigorously. The 21 year-old wore a robe of white with red and green trim, the Mexican flag displayed proudly across the back. He was accompanied by his corner crew and two young boys walking out in front of him, who were later confirmed to be his brothers. His opponent Terry Norris was already in the ring and he glared long and hard at Aguirre after he'd stepped between the ropes. Sporting a high top fade, Norris was decked out in trunks of shiny, knee-length black, white tassles running up and down each leg.

Aguirre had been voted Mexico's most liked and admired fighter in a poll conducted on the ESPN Deportes website last month, something which he found at the same time humbling and scary. Speaking of it during the week he had said that he was feeling some pressure going into his debut, worried that he would let down his fellow countrymen.

"It's a huge thing for me," Aguirre had said. "I'll be representing my nation every time I step in the ring and that's quite a weight to carry on your shoulders. But I don't think my preparation could have been any better, so I'm confident that I can be victorious on Wednesday night."

Norris had not been shy about talking up his own chances, proclaiming that he'd be too quick for the rugged Mexican.

"He ain't gonna be able to handle me," said the Texas-born 20 year-old. "Yeah, he's tough and fit and all that, but that won't do the guy any good if he can't avoid my punches. Just watch, y'all. I'm gonna turn his face into a punching bag."

By the time the two were brought together for the final instructions the volume from the audience had reached fever pitch, sweat bubbling on both men's brows. Norris brought his gloves down hard on Aguirre's before returning to his corner in the moments preceeding the opening bell...

ROUND ONE

Norris is shaken up early by a hard right hand, Aguirre dropping it flush on his jaw. The Californian replies with a nice left hook, Aguirre shaking it off and continuing to stalk him. Despite his boasts Norris is showing caution, Aguirre clearly more aggressive. He pierces a straight right through Norris' gloves, Norris initiating a clinch and Aguirre shaking his head in disgust when he does it again only twenty seconds later. They exchange jabs for the next minute and as the round draws to a close Aguirre has his man trapped in a neutral croner. He finishes the round by connecting with another hard right, bringing a burst of applause from the audience.

ROUND TWO

After his corner crew tell him in no uncertain terms to pick up the pace Norris comes out stronger in the 2nd, catching Aguirre with a crunching uppercut thirty seconds in. Little else happens through until they go toe-to-toe for an extended period near the two minute mark, Aguirre getting the best of the exchange. Norris is able to score with some body shots and a left hook, accentuating his good work from earlier in the frame.

ROUND THREE

Norris maintains his momentum, not only finding the mark with some blinding flurries but making Aguirre miss a number of times. Aguirre lands a hard left hook late, the shot being the lone highlight of his work in the round. Norris responds by going back to work with the jab. He triples up on it, on target each time. The Mexicans in the crowd are imporing Aguirre to return to his round one form but he'll have to wait until the 4th for that as the bell sounds.

ROUND FOUR

Knowing that the fight is getting away from him Aguirre produces a fantastic 4th, tagging Norris with a series of left-right salvos and single scoring punches. His renewed aggression puts the Californian on the backfoot and Norris is back to the uncertainty of round one. It's clear that he's eager to avoid those Aguirre hurting bombs and with the Mexican throwing so often Norris can barely get a punch in. Aguirre puts an exclamation point on his efforts with a flush right hook, Norris wrapping him up desperately, bringing howls of disapproval from the audience. Heading into the 5th it looks like this fight is all tied up.

ROUND FIVE

Aguirre continues to dominate through the first minute of round five, catching Norris with a stiff jab and then a smashing left hook, Norris smiling at him in acknowledgement. He snakes a jab through Aguirre's defense and then unloads a crippling right cross, Aguirre backing off and then initiating a clinch as Norris moves in for the kill. They move apart and as Norris comes in the Mexican lands a flush uppercut, snapping Norris' head back. Norris is looking tired now, hitching up his trunks and moving back out of range. Aguirre closes the distance quickly and drops a big left hook on him! This crowd is going crazy! Norris is shaken and when Aguirre lands another left the Californian looks ready to go. What a round this has been from Aguirre. Norris wraps his man up and when they seperate he's able to find the mark with a jab, but there's little pop behind it. The crowd applaudes loudly as the combatants return to their corners. Aguirre looks to be in complete control now.

ROUND SIX

The fighters touch gloves to start the final round, the crowd on their feet cheering. Despite taking some fierce punishment in the 5th Norris works hard through the first minute, landing a trio of jabs and getting the best of a spirited exchange. He bangs a left hook off Aguirre's temple and then lands a flush straight right, the shot catching the Mexican on the nose. Aguirre is hurt! Norris tracks him down and now they're going at it toe-to-toe once more, Norris once again coming out of it the better. Aguirre wraps Norris up and both men take a breather, the pace through the opening half of the round fantastic. Now in centre ring, Norris steps in and- OH!!! Norris is down! Norris is down! A smashing Aguirre uppercut has dropped him on the seat of his pants! The Californian scrambles to his feet at three but he's shaking his head, upset. The crowd has erupted here, Aguirre's fans chanting his name, jumping up and down and waving their flags. There's one minute left in the fight now and Aguirre tries to finish his man off, but Norris locks him up. Norris is backpedalling, trying to stay out of trouble, all thought of finishing the round strongly out the window. Aguirre unloads with the left and the right and misses, Norris wearing a defeated countnenance. The final bell sounds and the two men embrace, the crowd coming to their feet in applause.

(to be continued)