Chapter 27Laszlo pushed me forward. We left the change room area with its littered towels and the smell of sweat. We moved down the aisle. The seats were full. A good crowd had turned out. I saw the Russian approaching from the other side. He looked over and gave me a cruel smile. I neither shirked nor shrugged away but kept looking back until finally the Russian turned to his coach and whispered something.
We stepped into the ring and removed our robes. We took some stretches against the ropes. The referee, a heavy-set Pole with a shaved head and thick moustaches brought us to the centre. As the referee talked, I stared at the Russian until I thought I saw a flicker in his eyes, a flash of puzzlement. As we put our gloves together, the Russian spoke, “Feel the pain, Jew.”
I didn't respo
