"It will cost you five dollars to enter the ring. If you win you leave with ten. That's easy money gentleman. Where else in the city can you double your money that fast, and get a chance to grope a girl?"
The attentive crowd agreed that he made a good point, but they were skeptical.
"Give it a shot. Like I said, I’m not sure I believe her either."
The excited crowd laughed then broke into chatter. Some pointed at the girl. Some stared with lewd smiles. Others acted out the things they would prefer to do to her.
After some goading from his friends one man accepted the challenge. They called him the Meat Hook. His friends patted him on the back as he entered the ring. Betty recognized him from her last visit to Murdock's gym. He stepped up to Anvil and paid him. Then he waltzed to his corner and made a spectacle out of removing his shirt. He stood in a sleeveless white undershirt and pants. His arms were perfectly sculpted, and he was attractive. He had no fear about losing and smiled about his impending victory. He looked at her and winked.
The hunchback produced a stool for Betty to sit on. Her heart was racing.
He looked at her adversary and said to Betty in a low voice. "Ok. This guy is a little hot head. If you start winning, he'll get mad. From what I hear from his wife, he don't mind taking a swing at a woman every now and then, either."
Anvil approached her too. He knelt down in front of her. The hunchback handed him something. Then Anvil fitted Betty with small leather training mittens. They weren't much bigger than her hands.
He coached her as he laced the gloves. "Remember everything the Chinaman taught you. If it gets to be too much out there, let me know and I’ll step in and put a stop to it. If one of these bums goes too far, don't you worry. I’ll step in and stop it."
She assured him, "I'll be fine. I want this to be real."
"Oh, it's gonna’ get real alright." He said. "Here we go."
He stood back up with a groan and returned to the center of the ring and spoke some more.
"Call it boxing, call it wresting, call it fighting, call it whatever you want, but there are only a few rules; one, no biting, two, no scratching, three, no hitting below the belt, if you know what I mean?”
The crowd roared.
“Those rules are for you toots." He laughed.
Betty didn’t think it was funny.
Before she knew it, the bell rang, the round began and the Meat Hook was skipping over to her. He took a few jabs at her to establish his presence and scare her. Neither connected. He danced around her. She kept her feet firm, and pivoted to keep him in front of her. He was taller than her, and circled around with smug smile. Occasionally he would make gestures like he was going to swing to see her cringe. He was playing to the crowd. Then he tried to kiss her, as his gym mates egged him on.
He didn't take Betty seriously. To him this was just a game. That mistake was about to cost him. Betty was playing for keeps. Finally, the Meat Hook stopped dancing. He closed his eyes, pointed to his chin and leaned into Betty. She would not refuse the gift. Isamu's wisdom echoed in her ears. "It's not a matter of strength, it's a matter of focus."
She planted herself firmly on the ground. She crafted a punch with a force that followed a straight line from her ankle, up her leg, through her hips and torso, into her shoulder and arm, then into a moving fist.
Wham!
A lightning bolt struck him under the chin. His feet came up off the ground. He looked weightless for a moment. Then he went down and was out.
The crowd was stunned. The room went silent, except for Anvil's laughter.
She struck at the pride of the entire club and the crowd let her know it. They were not happy. One guy cried foul. Some hurled insults at Betty. Others described what they would do to her if they got their hands on her. The Anvil chuckled and continued to provoke them. "Put your money where you mouth is, guys. Who’s next?"
Her heart raced. She was excited with anticipation, not fear.
Her second opponent was more cautious. He just wanted to get in there, beat her and get out. He was faster than Betty anticipated, but her blocks were too swift to let his blows connect. Betty controlled the fight. She led her opponent around the ring. She decided when the attacks would come. She set up the conditions for each strike, both his and hers.
She saw an opening and lunged at him. She was well within his reach. She planted herself like a wedge and drove the heels of her palms into his solar plexus. The force struck him like a speeding freight train. His lungs emptied and his knees went weak. He staggered for a moment. Betty followed up with an open handed blow to his neck. He saw stars and melted to the canvas.
After that the men took Betty seriously.