Tuesday, February 27, 2018

The Champ

PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll

The young boy looked at the snow outside.  He smiled as this meant school closure.  Surely Joe would keep the gym open today, he thought, as he sparred with his mirrored image.

His thoughts went back to summer when he rode his shiny new bicycle to the fair at Columbia Gym.  When it finished his bicycle was missing.  In tears he went to Policeman Joe Martin.

"If I find the kid who stole my bike," he sobbed, "I'll whup him."


“Cassius you better learn to box first before looking for a fight. Come join the boxing classes I run here.”

**

Written for Friday Fictioneers Word Count : 100.

Inspired by Rochelle, I too have attempted historical fiction this week.  The young boy was indeed the Greatest and this is supposed to be how it all started.
Update: I didn't want to name the boy and let the reader find out.  But i am taking Rochelle's suggestion on board and putting the boy's name at the end.



This is my first entry of the week.  To read the second one click here - Rocky Salt


To read the other writers this week click here  

I'd love read what you think about this post...

19 comments :

  1. Dear Subroto,

    I remember the night Cassius Clay took the title from Sonny Liston. My dad had the fight on the radio. I still remember young Cassius yelling, "I am the greatest...!"
    Suggestion...so the reader has an aha moment and your story stands alone, perhaps the policeman could call him Cassius. Well written and I enjoyed the video walk down Memory Lane.

    Shalom,

    Rochelle

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    1. I wasn't around when that happened but he was still boxing when I was a school boy growing up. Thanks for your comments Rochelle, I have taken your suggestion and have made that change.

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    2. That's exactly what I was talking about. Perhaps not everyone would know the name Cassius but a lot of us would. Good job!

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  2. A good re-telling of the story. Muhammad Ali was a great man.

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    1. He was more than just a fighter. Thanks for your comments Penny, I am glad you liked it.

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  3. Imagine what would have happened if this little scene hadn't happened. An icon.

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    1. Ouch! But I think talent will out, he would still have been a champ. Thanks for your comments Iain.

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  4. Is Ali's daughter still boxing? I've never followed the sport--don't enjoy watching two strong men beating up on each other :)

    Good story here, with a benevolent policeman giving good direction to the young boy.

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    1. Thanks Linda, I am glad you liked it. Ali's daughter, Laila Ali, actually retired undefeated in her boxing career with a 24 -0 record.

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  5. Well done, young Paduan! You were right in taking Rochelle's suggestion. It is great to have that. "ooooohhh" moment at the end!

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    1. Thanks Dale. I had to rejig two sentence so as not to exceed the word limit but I am glad it worked.

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  6. Good story. I do suspect that there are many readers who don't know who Classius Clay was until you give his other name.

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    1. I guess the younger generation knows the Kardashians more ;-)
      But hopefully they will put two and two together by watching the video and the links. Thanks for your comments Sasha.

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  7. I do love how you revealed the name of the champion to be in the end... kept the tension up.

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    1. Thanks Björn. In my first version I did not name him but then I revised it on Rochelle's advice. I am glad it worked.

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  8. Anonymous6:55 am

    Reminds me of his biopic. Great read.

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    1. Thank you YS, I am glad you liked it.

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