In what was a shock to almost everyone, Jerome offered his gloves to bump fists. Hank almost didn’t see it as he was already turning away. However, he did see it just in time to shoot out a glove and tap Jerome's outstretched glove. Sevs wasn’t expecting that it seems there might be less animosity than he had thought.

Both fighters went to their corners to wait for the bell. Not everyone held their breath. Lily asked Sevs, “I wonder what their opening moves will be?”

“I would bet that Hank will come out quickly to make a statement before backing off and feeling it out,” Sevs responded.

They didn’t have much more time as the bell sounded and the first round began. Jerome shuffled out, keeping his hands high. Hank walked casually until he was just out of range. Suddenly Hank’s stance changed. His back foot shifted forward a little. Sevs knew what was going to happen right as he did it. It was one of Hank's favorite moves, and now he didn’t even have to try and hide it.

As his back foot slid a little forward, it let Hank lift his left leg off the ground and then bring it across with immense force. Jerome, who had his guard high, was unable to react. Hank’s shin smacking against the unguarded side sounded like a baseball bat hitting a side of beef. As the slap echoed throughout the room, the crowd went wild.

Hank, however, was not done. Jerome had hunched into the blow, clearly surprised by the power and pain. He got no relief as Hank didn’t even let his foot touch the ground before bringing it with almost as much force against the back of Jerome’s calf. This buckled Jerome’s lead leg as his calf went dead. Sevs winced as he knew one more piece of the combo was left. As Jerome stumbled, his hands were way out of position. Hank put his foot down, pivoted slightly, and came with an overhand right directly into Jerome’s exposed jaw.

Jackson whispered, under his breath, “Holy... I wish I had listened to you two.”

“I’m just impressed that Jerome is still standing.” Lily put in. “That combo only works on people not prepared for it. But I have seen Hank put people to sleep with it, and they had way more experience.”

“That’s true, everyone. It's not over yet. As long as Jerome is still standing, he can keep going. Remember, if he is knocked out, that’s the fight. If Hank submits him, then just the round is over.” Sevs added.

“That is not normally how it goes, no?” Jackson asked.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“No, it's not, but it seems to be the best way to settle things in this unique case tonight.”

As the commentary team discussed things, the fight had not stopped. Hank stepped back to admire his work. Jerome was still on his feet, if only because he had backed up to the ropes. He shook his head and tested putting weight on his back leg. Hank just stood there watching him with his hands by his side. As Jerome took a cautious step forward, Hank began to trash talk.

He started pointing out what Jerome was doing wrong. “Bend your knees more.”

Bam, “you are leaving your body open.”

Hank shifted levels and drove his fist into Jerome’s gut knocking the wind out of him. “Move your head. You are like a duck.”

Sevs and Lily knew what was happening. Hank wasn’t really fighting anymore. No, after that first combo put the fear of God into Jerome, he backed off and started to coach. It seemed like trash talk to the audience, which got them going. However, Sevs knew. This is what Hank would do for many of the beginners at the gym. He would spar slowly, tell them what they are doing wrong and show them why it was wrong. The only difference is he wouldn’t hit as hard as he was now.

The commentary was quiet for a few moments as the crowd listened to the trash talk. Eventually, Jackson commented. “Okay, I am pretty worried Jerome hasn’t even swung, let alone landed a shot. I don’t think I have ever seen a more one-sided fight. He had better do something soon, or the ref might have to call it.”

“I’m surprised. I expected Jerome to come out swinging.” Lily said. “I suppose that first few hits he took really disabused him of any notion of winning.”

“Sevs, what are your thoughts?”

“Ego doesn’t last long when you start training. It’s hard to get that inflated ego when it is obvious that people are better than you. Learning how to fight is the most humbling experience of my life. I think we can see Jerome going through that right now.”

After a couple minutes, it seemed like Jerome had enough of listening to Hank. He stepped out and threw a few wild punches that it took Hank no effort to avoid. He just leaned back slightly. He sneered a bit. “Sloppy,” as he kicked Jerome’s leg again.

This continued for a while. Now Hank was on the defensive, and Jerome was swinging. Unlike when the roles were reversed, no shots were landing. Hank never shut up.

“That was a beautiful slip right there. Some master class defensive boxing.” Sevs commented.

“It does look like he is almost dancing. Though it seems he is leaving opportunities on the table.” Jacksons responded.

Lily stepped in. “Of course he is. Right there, see. He rolled under that hook. When he is bent down like that and Jerome is past him, he can load up for a huge uppercut. See, right there. I imagine we will see some of that later once he is ready.”

With about a minute left in the round, Jerome still had not landed a hit, but you could see several welts along his legs and side from where Hank had been tagging him. Frustrated, Jerome swung a haymaker for Hank's head. Hank ducked, but instead of backing away like he usually did, he dipped under the blow and timed a takedown. Before he blinked, Jerome was on his back. Hank wasted no time in grabbing an arm and bending until Jerome tapped.