"Eddie Walsh. The local favorite steps up against Big Roy Harper. What do you think, Oli?"

  "I think it’s about time Eddie finally wins, John. Eddie’s likable and Brantley’s darling, but he hasn’t had a win in nineteen fights. That’s a shameful stat."

  "In his shoes, I’d never step into the ring again, Oli."

  "Me neither. But Eddie’s a tough guy. And Roy Harper… What do we have on him, John?"

  "Roy was a junior champion once and… that’s it. He’s got two more wins than Eddie, but half as many fights. He’s 1.90 meters tall and massive, really. I wouldn’t say he’s particularly quick, but if his punch lands, it could knock out even Gary Maltz."

  "Now you’re exaggerating." Oli and John laugh together and wait for the two boxers to enter the ring.

  Eddie steps up first.

  "Eddie’s got this. I’m telling you, Oli."

  "I’m not so sure. But if you are, place a bet."

  "We can’t encourage people to bet. But if I could, I would."

  More laughter follows, the kind only they understand.

  "How many people did we get today, Oli? The hall looks almost full."

  "Two hundred and fifty tickets sold, John. Fifty more, and it’d really be packed. But counting the staff seats, we’ll probably hit three hundred."

  "A perfect night for some boxing, huh?"

  "You sound clichéd, just like the big-time commentators."

  Oli and John broadcast only for Brantley’s radio, which, according to the latest ratings, reaches no more than a hundred people a day. The folks sitting around them can hear too. They also stream on their YouTube channel, but they’ve never gotten more than five live viewers. Nobody cares about local boxing. And those who do are already in the hall.

  "Eddie starts first. He always plays aggressive."

  "I told you, John. Roy’s only got one big punch. If he doesn’t use it right, he’s done."

  "An Eddie win would be the talk of the town tomorrow."

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  "Sure would. But as we know, news fades fast. So Eddie’s just fighting to make his night good."

  "And to grab a better paycheck."

  John and Oli have chemistry, but their jokes are mostly for themselves. The YouTube live has swelled to a whopping three viewers. They’ve stopped tracking it. It’s just habit to keep it running. And all it streams is them—the commentators. They’re banned from broadcasting the ring itself.

  "They’re cautious at the start…"

  "Or at least it looks that way… Ooooh, what a swing from Roy Harper."

  "Calm down, Oli. Roy missed."

  "Only the judges can say that."

  "If he’d landed it…"

  "I know, John. Eddie would be on the ground."

  "Exactly. But he’s alive and kicking. More alive than usual, even."

  "I think the crowd’s gonna start booing soon, Oli. They’re doing too little for two minutes in the ring."

  The match is the second-to-last before the big event, and the locals are watching with interest.

  "Second round’s starting. Who took the first, Oli?"

  "Roy, hands down."

  "Because of the punch?"

  "Exactly. One solid swing. Eddie’s just hopping around."

  "And he’s testing…"

  "He hasn’t tested anything. Roosters. That’s what I call them, John. But look how the second starts." Both fall silent. In the ring, Eddie unleashes punch after punch.

  "Welcome to the fight, Eddie!" Oli nearly shouts. "Better late than never."

  "What a tsunami of punches, huh?"

  "The problem is Roy’s big with a thick skull, Oli. He barely feels a thing."

  "You’re looking in the wrong place, John. Check Eddie’s punches. Not one to the head."

  "Exactly."

  "They’re all to the liver. And Roy’s too slow to guard it. I’m telling you, John, this fight’s ending soon."

  Both go quiet. Roy swings twice, but Eddie dodges. He pauses, and it’s Eddie’s turn.

  But the referee steps between them.

  Roy’s got his hand up. The fight’s over. Big, black Roy Harper is on the ground.

  "What? Did we just witness…"

  "Eddie Walsh’s first win, Oli. His first win."

  The crowd drowns them out, and YouTube viewers jump to six. Meanwhile, Brantley radio listeners hit a peak that day that hasn’t been topped since.

  "Eddie. The local star. I told you, Oli. The most loved guy here today."

  "One win and nineteen losses. Something tells me this’ll be the peak of Eddie’s career, John…"