They knew both men were dangerous in different ways.
Derek was powerful.
Aggressive.
Unpredictable.
Marcus was different.
He was controlled.
That worried people more.
The two men stood across from each other.
Derek smiled.
"You ready, champion?"
Marcus looked at him.
"I hope you are."
Derek laughed.
"You still talk like that?"
Marcus answered:
"I talk like someone who doesn't need to prove anything."
That sentence irritated Derek immediately.
The signal started.
Derek rushed forward.
His first attack was powerful.
The kind of movement that had intimidated dozens of inmates.
Marcus moved.
Not away.
Around.
Derek missed.
The crowd reacted.
A few inmates exchanged looks.
Again.
Derek attacked.
Again.
Marcus avoided.
The same pattern.
The same frustration.
Derek was fighting with anger.
Marcus was fighting with patience.
After several exchanges, Derek finally landed a hit.
The crowd reacted.
Derek smiled.
"There you go."
Marcus touched his face.
Then nodded.
"Good."
Derek frowned.
"Good?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because now you believe you can win."