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Show 53 Jacob climbs into his comer and waits. He jumps around, looking a little lethargic. The ref asks if he's ready.' He says yes. Two minutes later, the announcer yells: "In the blue comer, fighting out of Salt Lake City, Utah: Jacob 'The Bruiser' Pelton!" I didn't know that was Jacob's fighting name and made a fast vow to help him find a new one if he lived. The audience is still mobile and noncommittal as the announcer suggests they take their seats. It's the first fight of the night and, besides the cash, the winner is awarded only the potential right to be an injury replacement in the later tournament fights. After hitting sportsmanship fists with Gomez in the center, Jacob rums around, looks back at us, and grins. It is a surprising thing to see, and belies the nervousness I feel for him-a freaky crocodile smile from a mouth that hadn't expressed much of anything all day. "You ready?" his trainer asks, pinching his mouthpiece. "Yeah," Jacob says, and he looks like he is containing laughter. The fight is organized to go for three rounds and, if there is no TKO along the way, the winner would be determined by judge's decision. Only three? I'd asked Dan earlier. Someone gets knocked out before three almost every time, he said. As the bell rings, Jacob starts out defensive, mostly knocking down Gomez's midsection kicks. Gomez's legs are thicker than the young poplar trees in my mom's yard, and every time his foot connects with Dan's hand there is a sharp, exclamatory slapping sound. Kylie finds her way back, asks, How's he |