Midtown Boxing Club, Tuesday 4:42 PM
"Pop the jab!"
Ashan's new coach barked across the ring.
He was an older guy named Melvin who Tony introduced him to, ex-pro boxer and olympic bronze medalist, scar over his left eyebrow, smelled like menthol and tiger balm.
Ashan fired the jab. Twice.
Melvin smacked it down with a pad.
"You're aiming with your eyes. Stop lookin' for permission. Punch like you got somethin' to say."
Ashan reset, breathing through his nose, sweat running down his jaw.
The gym was humid and half-lit, filled with the sounds of leather, rope slaps, and Drake on an old Bluetooth speaker.
He wasn't sparring yet.
Just drilling.
Melvin said, "We'll see if you're worth sparring by Friday."
---
Home, 10:19 PM
Ashan sat at the dinner table.
He pulled up his phone and opened the Hudson Golden Gloves portal.
Checked the Lightweight bracket again.
Opponent: Caleb "The Hammer" Monroe
Age: 18
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 135 lbs
Amateur Record: 80 wins - 5 losses
"What the hell"
Ashan dropped his spoon. The rice clinked in the bowl.
He tapped on the name.
An old YouTube link popped up.
"Caleb Monroe Highlights - Fastest Hands in New York"
The thumbnail showed a lanky kid with sharp shoulders and quick footwork, knocking someone down with a flurry.
Ashan clicked play.
---
10:26 PM
"Boom! Monroe with a double jab into the chin!"
"That's knockout number thirty-three, folks!"
Ashan sat there, phone lighting his face in the dark.
Video after video.
Caleb didn't fight like some meathead.
He was technical. Clean. Angles. Flow.
He reminded Ashan of Gaolang, just more raw. Still amateur, but with real polish.
By 10:50, Ashan sat in silence, staring at the screen.
"80 and 5…"
He looked down at his hands.
Knuckles still sore from mitt work.
Wrist wrapped too tight because he messed it up two weeks ago.
"I'm gonna get wrecked."
The thought hit like a punch in the gut.
---
Project Dragon, Day 264
"Opponent: Caleb Monroe. 80-5." "Saw the videos. He's fast. Experienced. Comfortable in the ring." "Me? One month of prep. 0-0." "So why do I still want this?"