Iowa is the underdog boxer who is undersized and average in appearance. There is nothing flashy about him. When he shows up to the weigh in before the fight, he is unimpressive. Boring. He's not ranting raving, bragging, or flexing in false bravado. Unlike the champion, his next opponent. But when they stand eye to eye for the cameras, there is cold steel in his gaze. Even as the champion sneers and ridicules him, he never retreats. He knows these antics are just wasted energy. And so he simply accepts the weigh in spectacle for what it is. He's not interested in drawing this kind of attention to himself. But he does want the champion to leave here certain about one thing: this fight is going to be a brawl. As the fighters leave the weigh in, the champion is a bit unnerved. He knows fear. And despite the quietness of the underdog, there was a strange confidence behind his eyes that can't be faked.
And yet, why should the champion worry? The underdog has no left hand. Has not even tried to hide that fact. He is one-dimensional. Still... no one has been able to stop the underdog. He gets in the ring with guys much more talented than him. And by Round 7 or 8, their big talk has quieted. Yes, they've landed punches. Plenty, in fact. And they've stuck to the gameplan because their is no mystery with the underdog. But no matter how many punches they land, the underdog just keeps taking them. What they were told is true. There is no left hand. It's not difficult to land shots. But the underdog just keeps coming. He is relentless, ruthless. And soon, usually during Round 11, the stunning realization starts to creep in: this guy is a brawler here to take my heart. The last thing that goes through their minds as they fall to the canvass in Round 12: how on earth did I lose to this guy?
And yet, why should the champion worry? The underdog has no left hand. Has not even tried to hide that fact. He is one-dimensional. Still... no one has been able to stop the underdog. He gets in the ring with guys much more talented than him. And by Round 7 or 8, their big talk has quieted. Yes, they've landed punches. Plenty, in fact. And they've stuck to the gameplan because their is no mystery with the underdog. But no matter how many punches they land, the underdog just keeps taking them. What they were told is true. There is no left hand. It's not difficult to land shots. But the underdog just keeps coming. He is relentless, ruthless. And soon, usually during Round 11, the stunning realization starts to creep in: this guy is a brawler here to take my heart. The last thing that goes through their minds as they fall to the canvass in Round 12: how on earth did I lose to this guy?
