The two fighters stood in their corners, crouched low, eyes locked across the canvas.
Neither blinked. Neither moved more than a subtle bounce on their toes.
The on watchers had gone quieter than usual, sensing the tension between teammates about to turn into opponents.
The referee stepped between them, glancing left, then right. "Ready?" he called out, pointing at Ronny. Ronny gave a short nod, his mouthguard flashing briefly. The ref turned to Ayo. "Ready?" Ayo nodded as well, his jaw set.
A beat of silence passed.
"Fight!"
The word cut through the air, and the two men exploded forward out of their corners, the sound of their steps echoing off the canvas as the first round began.
The referee stepped back and signaled for the fight to begin.
Ronny moved first, light on his toes, bouncing side to side with his lead hand dangling low and his chin tilted just out of range.
