Chapter 8 - The Challenge of your Life.

1st November 2011.

It's been 3 days since Harry's birthday and Daniel has completed the last of his training with the team within The Dire-Wolves gym which has been in restoration and its time for fight night. Daniel Taylor Vs Raymond Pierce, as everyone makes their way towards the Fight Club to cheer and support Daniel, Harry and the rest of The Dire-Wolves Team since they have been putting in a ton of effort in order to prepare for this bout.

It's fight night here tonight as everyone arrives at the Fight Club. Daniel arrives with Harry, Chris, Andy, Freddy and Richard including Elizabeth and Rose, even Victoria is here since they are all here to watch Daniel fight and to support him and The Dire-Wolves Team as they have all gathered here tonight for the fight against Raymond Pierce. Daniel and The Dire-Wolves Team are within the locker room as they prepare for the challenge which awaits them here tonight since this is Daniel's first professional fight and Harry's fight bout as a manager.

Andy and Freddy assists Daniel with his boxing equipment as they help him out while Harry, Chris and Richard are talking about the bout tonight and what strategy they are going to use. Elizabeth and Rose are present within the locker room as well, since they are here to show their support to Daniel and The Dire-Wolves. Elizabeth stands beside Rose as the two of them have become great friends ever since they first met each other more than a year ago. Rose tells Elizabeth, "Hey, Liz. Why don't we head to our seat and leave the locker room. I'm sure the guys have everything sorted out" Elizabeth responds, "Okay, Rose. We can leave soon just let me say my goodbyes to Harold and wish everyone well then we can be on our way".

Elizabeth makes her over to where Harold is standing with Chris and Richard. She tells him, "Harold, I'll be heading out to the ring with Rose. I wish you and everyone else all of the best out there tonight" Harold responds, "Thanks, Beth. Everyone here appreciates your support and I'll see you out there soon". Elizabeth and Harold shares a kiss before she heads to the arena with Rose just Richard informs Elizabeth, "Vicky's out there as well. She's sitting ringside tonight and you guys are welcome to sit beside her because Victoria doesn't have much friends, so I would appreciate it if you could sit by her".

Elizabeth says, "That's not a problem, Richard. Rose and I shall sit with Victoria" even though Elizabeth nor Rose likes her much they are willing to show compassion towards her. Elizabeth and Rose says their goodbyes as they head towards the arena to sit beside Victoria at ringside while Harry and the rest of the team are currently busy with the final preparations for tonight's fight. Once Daniel's hands are wrapped, he is ready for the fight. Harry approaches him and hands him a box. He tells Daniel, "Here, this is for you, Dan. I got it for you to use out there tonight. I hope you like it" Daniel says, "Thank you, sir". Daniel opens the box and sees that its a rather old boxing shorts, a bright yet faded red shorts with a black stripe running down each side.

Daniel asks Harry, "What's this?" Harry informs him, "That was my old short. The exact one which I used when I began my professional career and now I would like it if you use it as it's my gift to you, Danny". Daniel looks at Harry and the rest of the team. He tells them, "Thank you for this. Thanks for everything you guys have done for me, I really appreciate it just let me get into this pair of shorts then let's get going since it's time for the fight and I know that I am ready for it" to which Daniel stands up, walks off as he goes to put the shorts on which Harry gave him and once he has it on, Harry and Daniel has a word together. He tells Daniel, "Let's go, Dan" while Daniel responds, "It's now or never, so let's get going, sir".

Daniel, Harry and The Dire-Wolves Team prepares to walk to the ring, as they are standing by the entrance, Harry asks Daniel, "Are you ready?" Daniel nodes his head, yes and throws a few punches in the air to show Harry and the team that he's ready for tonight. Harry sees that everyone else is ready to make their way towards the ring and for the fight tonight as they make their way to the ring while Harry and Daniel leads the way. During the walk to the ring, Harry tells Daniel, "These people are all here for you, so make use of it, Danny. They are here to cheer your name and give you support". Daniel just nodes his head as they get to the ring.

Harry assists Daniel by getting into the ring while the rest of the team just stands near the corner while Daniel walks around the ring and waves to the crowd. Harry sees Elizabeth, she waves to him and says, "I'm so proud of you, Harold" as she blows a kiss to him. Harold waves back to her and pretends to catch said kiss and puts it to his mouth and on his heart. He then says to her, "Thank you, Beth". Daniel stands beside Harry and the rest of his team while everyone sees that Raymond is on his way to the ring with his team, as Raymond and his team gets to the ring and enters it while the announcer begins by saying, "Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to all of the boxing fans here tonight. Welcome to the Fight Club for this bout between these two Light Heavyweight fighters as each of them are participating in their first professional fight tonight".

The announcer continues, "Introducing first, in the red corner, age 18, weighing 171 pounds, standing at 5 feet 11, with an amateur record of 26 fight, 24 wins, 0 losses, 2 draws with 15 knock outs, wearing black with gold and fighting out of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Raymond 'The Sharp-Shooter' Pierce". The crowd claps for Raymond in order to make him feel welcome and show that they are supporting him in his first professional fight tonight as they cheer his name and claps for him too. The announcer continues, "And in the blue corner, age 18, weighing 175 pounds, standing at 5 feet 10, with an amateur record of 24 fights, 23 wins, 1 loss, 0 draws with 18 knock outs, wearing red with black and fighting out of London, England, Daniel 'The Golden Boy' Taylor". The crowd too shows their love and support towards Daniel as they clap and cheer his name and wishes him well as they wish Raymond well too.

Referee George Logan calls them to the centre of the ring and informs them, "You know the rules and since you are fighting in the Fight Club, there are no three down knock outs as that rule doesn't apply here nor does being saved by the bell either and in case of a knock down, I'll ask you to head to your corner and you're only to come out once I've cleared the other fighter and allow the bout to continue and if I see any foul play, I'll call for the break and see to things. Are there any questions from the two of you?". They answer, no while the ref says, "All right, since there are no questions, head to your corners and wait for the bell to ring". While Daniel stands in his corner, Andy assists him by placing his mouth guard in then leaves the ring himself.

Harry approaches Daniel and says to him, "Danny, remember your training and what we spoke about back in the gym and the locker room. Don't trade too much punches with Raymond, keep it plain and simple, stick and move, that's the key and go for the body more than the head but don't waste your energy, save it since we have but only eight rounds in this bout, so every shot, make it count. Okay, Dan?" Daniel acknowledges this. He tells Harry, "I got it, sir because that's the plan, I'll go through with it". The bell rings and it's the start of the first bout and the beginning of the first round.