Step

Joe's time in the parlour was becoming more and more of a habit. But that morning, something was different. In Kimura's eyes, instead of the stoic look he was used to, there was something a little more meaningful. An anticipation. Something else was going to happen today. Kimura had decided to give him an opportunity to fight that he had never had before.

"You're making your debut today," Kimura said as he turned to Joe. "I'm about to give you a real challenge. Are you ready?"

Joe's heart suddenly began to race. That familiar nervousness rose in him, but at the same time there was something else. Excitement... to really see himself as a fighter, to be in the ring. This was not just a physical test, but a moment of identity. Boxing would be the final step that would change his whole life.

"I'm ready," Joe said, pushing his fears aside.

Kimura took a step towards him, nodding slightly. "This is just the beginning, Joe. It's a path that everyone who wants to prove themselves has travelled. But remember, boxing is not just about power, it's about strategy."

Joe's body tensed as he stepped into the ring. There were only a few people around him: former fighters, trainers and a few curious eyes. Everything was quiet, but a kind of tension hung in the air. Kimura, looking towards him, gave a final warning.

"Relax, remember. Fighting is not just body, it's mind. When you destroy someone, you destroy your own fears at the same time."

Joe took another step and stood in front of his opponent. His opponent was of average height and at first glance looked a little physically stronger than Joe. But in Joe's eyes, something had changed from the lonely man of old. He was determined to win this fight, no matter how hard it was.

When the referee set the two fighters up, Joe had only one thing in his eyes: Focus on the goal.

When the fight started, Joe's first move was fast and powerful. His opponent tried to parry and counter his punch, but Joe quickly shifted with his reflexes. His punch slowly disappeared in mid-air. He had found an opening on his opponent's left side. His eyes lit up for a moment and he took the opportunity to throw a right hook. But his opponent, defending his body, managed to avoid Joe's jab.

For a few seconds everything stopped in Joe's brain. For a moment, he wondered what to do. He took a quick step back, headed for the edge of the ring. He had to get his body together. He had to push aside the fear, the old timidity, and just focus on the fight.

Kimura's words echoed in his mind: Fighting is not just a physical thing, it's a mental game. Every step, every strike, he had to analyse his opponent. His opponent also knew his weaknesses and made moves accordingly. Joe had to use not only his strength but also his strategy to win this battle.

His opponent lunged again. Joe, throwing his left foot back, quickly swung his right hand. His opponent, unexpectedly breaking through the defence, parried and countered. As Joe felt the force of the punch, the pain in his back suddenly spread throughout his body. But he didn't back down. Combining anger and determination, he made another move towards his opponent.

This time, he realised that his opponent was unbalanced. He seized the opportunity that had arisen from a mistake a second before. Instead of a quick punch, he countered with a wrist flick that broke his opponent's defence. By distracting his opponent, he was able to throw a quick right hook that left him defenceless. His punch hit directly on his opponent's chin.

His opponent, thrown by the force of the right hand, took a step backwards, his knees shaking. The referee immediately stopped the fight. Joe was declared the winner.

Kimura smiled slightly as he watched Joe from ringside. "Nice move, Joe. Really good move. But remember, this is just the beginning."

Joe took a deep breath, his body still aching but filled with a sense of accomplishment. The emptiness was still there, but this first victory had given him something. He had regained his confidence. It wasn't just a fight, it was a moment of identity.

Leaving the lounge, Joe suddenly took a deep breath of the cold air outside. The sky was covered with clouds but, at that moment, it was a little brighter. He had made no promises to anyone as he walked outside, but the change in him was so palpable that he knew exactly what to do next.

And even though no one told him how strong he was, Joe felt the strength deeper inside himself. For the next fight, he would be stronger, more determined.