Fighting For More

No more Anger

Chapter Four

Sandra had always believed anger made her stronger. Whenever someone doubted her, she trained harder. Whenever she lost, she pushed herself to do better.

But since she started training with Best, she was learning that anger could also become her greatest weakness.

"Keep your guard up!" Best called from across the ring.

"My guard is up!"

"Then why can I see your face?"

Sandra glared at him. "Do you ever get tired of talking?"

"Not when you give me so many reasons to."

She attacked again, but Best easily avoided her punches.

"You're rushing," he explained. "You want to win so badly that you forget to think."

Sandra lowered her gloves. "You don't understand. Kiara has beaten me twice. Everyone expects me to lose again."

Best became serious.

"Then stop fighting to prove everyone wrong. Start fighting because you believe in yourself."

Sandra looked away. His words hurt because they were true.

She had spent so much time thinking about Kiara that she had forgotten why she started boxing in the first place.

The next morning, Sandra arrived early for training.

This time, she listened carefully to Best's instructions. Instead of attacking immediately, she watched his movements and waited for the right opportunity.

After several attempts, she finally landed a clean punch on his shoulder.

Best stepped back, impressed.

"Now that's what I'm talking about!"

Sandra smiled proudly. "Admit it. I'm getting better."

"You're improving. Don't let it enter your head."

"You're impossible."

"And yet, you're still training with me."

She laughed, surprising herself.

For the first time in weeks, training felt enjoyable instead of exhausting.

Coach Michael watched them from outside the ring.

"Good work, Sandra. Remember, boxing isn't only about strength. Patience and discipline matter just as much."

Sandra nodded, determined to keep improving.

Later that afternoon, Sandra met Maya outside the gym.

"So, how's your favourite training partner?" Maya asked with a mischievous smile.

Sandra rolled her eyes. "He's helping me prepare for Kiara. That's all."

"Of course. And I'm the president of Nigeria."

Sandra laughed and pushed her playfully.

"You're so annoying!"

Maya grinned. "You two spend a lot of time together. I'm just observing."

Sandra ignored her, but she couldn't stop thinking about Best. He was different from what she had first imagined. Beneath his teasing attitude was someone who genuinely wanted to help her succeed.

She wasn't sure what that meant yet.

And she wasn't ready to find out.

On Friday, Kiara visited the gym with two teammates.

When she noticed Sandra training, she approached with a confident smile.

"Still working hard? I hope you know extra training won't change everything."

Sandra felt anger rising inside her.

She wanted to respond with something cruel, something that would wipe that smile off Kiara's face.

Instead, she took a breath.

"We'll find out at the championship."

Kiara raised an eyebrow, surprised by Sandra's calm response.

"See you in two weeks, then."

She walked away.

Best approached Sandra moments later.

"You handled that well."

Sandra shrugged. "I wanted to say something worse."

"But you didn't. That's progress."

Sandra smiled. "Don't get too excited."

He laughed. "There she is."

For once, Kiara hadn't managed to distract her.

And Sandra realized that controlling her emotions was another kind of victory.

That evening, Sandra and Best sat beside the empty ring after training.

"Can I ask you something?" Sandra said.

"Depends. Are you going to complain about my coaching again?"

She laughed. "Seriously, how do you stop caring about what people think?"

Best considered the question.

"You don't have to stop caring completely. Just remember that other people's opinions don't determine your worth."

Sandra looked down at her hands.

"I think I've been so focused on proving everyone wrong that I've forgotten why I started boxing."

"Then remember," Best replied. "You don't have to win every fight to prove you're strong."

His words stayed with her.

Sandra knew the championship wouldn't be easy. Kiara was talented, confident, and determined to win again.

But Sandra was changing.

She was learning to accept her mistakes, control her anger, and focus on becoming better instead of worrying about what everyone thought.

As she left the gym that evening, she felt more determined than ever.

She wasn't going to let anger control her anymore.

This time, she would fight with discipline, patience, and belief in herself.

To be continued in Chapter Five: The First Test.