Fighting For More

Two rivals

Chapter Ten

Sandra arrived at the gym earlier than usual, determined to make the most of her training. The championship was approaching, and she knew she couldn't afford to repeat the mistakes that had cost her two victories against Kiara Bennett.

She dropped her bag beside the bench, tied her hair back, and began stretching.

This time, I'll be ready, she promised herself.

"Thinking about your favourite rival again?"

Sandra turned and saw Daniel standing behind her with a grin.

"Do you ever get tired of talking?"

"Not when I'm entertaining myself."

Sandra laughed despite herself. "Go and train, Daniel."

"Yes, ma'am!"

He walked away, still laughing.

A few minutes later, Kiara entered the gym with two other boxers. She looked confident, as usual. When she noticed Sandra, she approached with a knowing smile.

"You're here early. Trying to find a way to beat me?"

Sandra continued wrapping her hands.

"No. I'm here to improve. You should try it sometime."

Daniel, who was nearby, laughed.

Kiara's smile faded.

"Enjoy your confidence while it lasts."

She walked away, leaving Sandra tempted to respond. But she remembered Best's advice: reacting to every insult only gave Kiara control over her emotions.

Sandra took a deep breath and returned to her warm-up.

She had a fight to prepare for, not an argument to win.

Coach Michael arrived shortly afterward and gathered everyone around the ring.

"The championship is getting closer," he announced. "I expect discipline from every boxer here. Talent can open doors, but preparation determines how well you perform when those doors open."

He looked around the room before continuing.

"And remember, your opponents are athletes, not enemies. Respect them, study them, and learn from every fight."

Sandra listened carefully. Those words reminded her that she had spent too much time treating Kiara as someone she needed to hate rather than someone she needed to understand.

After the announcement, Sandra approached Coach Michael.

"Coach, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"I want to spar with Kiara today."

Kiara, who was drinking water nearby, turned around.

"Excuse me?"

Sandra met her eyes. "I want to understand your fighting style better. We've fought twice, and I don't want to make the same mistakes again."

Kiara laughed. "You're asking for another opportunity to lose?"

"No," Sandra replied calmly. "I'm asking for an opportunity to learn."

Coach Michael studied her expression.

"Why do you want this?"

"Because watching recordings isn't enough. I need to practise against your movements and learn how to respond without panicking."

Coach nodded.

"That's a sensible reason. I'll supervise the session, and you'll both keep it controlled. This isn't the championship."

Kiara shrugged. "Fine by me."

"Good," Sandra answered.

Coach pointed toward the ring. "Get ready."

While Kiara prepared, Sandra sat on a bench and reviewed recordings of their previous fights on her phone.

Best had encouraged her to study her losses instead of pretending they never happened. Even though their friendship remained strained after their argument, his advice continued to help her.

As the first recording played, Sandra noticed something she had overlooked.

Whenever Kiara attacked, Sandra rushed forward, determined to respond immediately. She became so focused on landing a punch that she neglected her defense.

Kiara had learned to predict her reactions.

Sandra paused the recording.

"That's my problem," she whispered.

She had been trying so hard to prove she could fight that she had forgotten boxing required patience and intelligence.

She didn't need to become Kiara. She needed to become a better version of herself.

After reviewing the remaining footage, Sandra stood and approached the ring.

Kiara was already waiting.

"Finished studying my greatness?" she asked.

Sandra smiled. "Finished studying your mistakes."

Kiara raised an eyebrow.

"We'll see."

Coach checked their gloves and reminded them to remain focused on technique. Then he signalled for them to begin.

Kiara moved first, stepping forward quickly and testing Sandra's defense.

Sandra blocked and moved away instead of attacking immediately. When Kiara followed, Sandra changed direction, keeping her balance and watching her opponent's movements.

For once, she wasn't thinking about how badly she wanted to defeat Kiara.

She was thinking about what Kiara might do next.

Kiara attempted another combination, but Sandra moved out of range and responded with a controlled counter.

"Good movement!" Coach called. "Stay focused."

Kiara looked surprised. She increased the pressure, trying to force Sandra toward the ropes.

Sandra recognised the pattern from their previous fights. Instead of panicking, she moved sideways before becoming trapped.

The session continued, and Sandra made mistakes. Once, she moved too close and struggled to regain her balance. Another time, she reacted too slowly and allowed Kiara to score a clean touch.

But Sandra didn't become frustrated. She adjusted her movements and remembered her training.

Stay calm. Watch carefully. Choose the right moment.

Eventually, Coach stopped the session.

"That's enough."

Both girls stepped back, breathing heavily.

Coach looked at Sandra.

"You've improved. You're protecting yourself better, and you're no longer rushing every time Kiara attacks."

Sandra smiled.

"But don't become overconfident," he added. "One good session doesn't guarantee victory. You still have work to do."

"I understand, Coach."

He turned toward Kiara.

"And you should remember that an opponent who learns from defeat can become much harder to beat."

Kiara nodded reluctantly.

As Sandra climbed out of the ring, Kiara approached her.

"You're getting better," she admitted.

Sandra looked surprised. "Was that a compliment?"

"Don't make me regret saying it."

Sandra laughed.

"Don't worry. I'll try to control myself."

Kiara shook her head, but a small smile appeared on her face.

For a moment, the tension between them eased. They were still rivals, but Sandra was beginning to understand that rivalry didn't have to mean hatred.

Sometimes, another person's strength could reveal what she needed to improve in herself.

Later, Sandra sat on the bench, drinking water and reviewing the session in her mind.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from Best appeared.

Best: Daniel told me you sparred with Kiara today. How did it go?

Sandra: Better than expected. I didn't rush as much as I used to.

Best: That's progress.

Sandra: Coach said I've improved, but I still made mistakes.

Best: Of course you made mistakes. You're learning. The important thing is whether you understand them and work on them.

Sandra smiled faintly.

She missed having Best beside her during training. His advice mattered to her, and the distance between them still hurt.

However, she knew she couldn't expect everything to return to normal immediately. She had questioned his loyalty, and rebuilding their trust would take time.

Sandra: Thanks for the advice.

Best: You don't have to thank me. Keep working. You've got this, Sandra.

She read the message twice before putting her phone away.

Perhaps their friendship wasn't completely broken after all.

Sandra stood, collected her belongings, and looked toward the ring one last time.

The championship was approaching. Kiara remained a difficult opponent, and Sandra still had plenty to learn.

But she was changing. She was becoming more patient, disciplined, and confident in her own abilities.

Most importantly, she was learning that her previous defeats did not determine her future.

She couldn't change the fights she had already lost, but she could decide how she approached the next one.

This time, she intended to enter the ring prepared—not just to fight Kiara, but to prove to herself how far she had come.

To be continued in Chapter Eleven: The Injury.