The place was the KCI Expo Center in Kansas City Missouri. The date was August 9th 2008. The match was between 4 time Ringside silver medalist and Canadian
heavyweight Terry Witzu vs the Masters new comer and Kansas City resident Mike Rains. On paper it looked like an easy win for the more experience Canadian fighter but Mike Rains was no push over.
The crowd was electric as they cheered on their local favorite Ageing Bull. “I had butterflies in my stomach. My friends where there, my old coaches where there, my wife was there. I remember standing in the ring and thinking about a book by Joe Frazier. He said when you’re in the ring you’re going to feel fear. You’re not afraid of getting hit or getting hurt, you’re afraid of looking like a fool. I thought that was the truest thing anyone had ever said. I felt like if this guy stretches me out I’m just going to sneak out” said Mike laughingly. Once the fight got started all the fear and nerves went out the window. This heavyweight title bout erupted in to an all out war that dazzled the crowd till the last bell rang.
Terry was the aggressor throwing punches with bad intentions and an occasional haymaker as Mike looked for openings to counter punch. Though Terry was the more experienced fighter it was Mikes crisp counter punching that stood out in the first
round. Terry seemed a bit off balance at times and Mike was quick to take advantage. The second round began with a scream from the crowd “hit him Mike, you can do it, he’s nothing”.
The excited crowd looked on as Terry began to settle down and started to land some of his combinations. Not fazed, Mike kept to his game plan looking for quick counters and at one point both men stood their ground trading bombs in the middle of the ring. There was no slowing down from either fighter as the second round ended.
You could see the determination in Mikes face as he received instructions from his corner man. This was it, the last round. Mike sucked in some air, patted his gloves
together and out he went to trade punches with the Canadian Heavyweight.
They touched gloves in the middle of the ring and began to exchange combinations. Terry kept coming forward landing some hard left hooks to the body and head while Mike took a step back and countered punch
for punch. The action was none stop as the crowd stood up for the final 30 seconds. When the bell rang it was evident that both men had given it all they had and embraced in the middle of the ring as a sign of respect. The crowd gave both fighters a standing ovation in appreciation for their efforts. It was now up to the judges. “The winner of the 2008 masters 55-65 heavyweight division. In the red corner,
Terry Witzu”.
Though Mike lost the match there would be no sneaking out. He put on a performance to be proud of. “It was a learning experience for me. The guy outgeneraled me, he just had a better sense of the ring.” Terry Witzu’s after the fight said, “He was a lot tougher fighter than I expected. He really gave me a hard time in there. I have a
lot of respect for him, he is a warrior”. Though disappointed in his title loss, Mike is grateful for the opportunity to compete and looks forward to the 2009 Ringside World Championships. |
