Cole didn't have much time to dwell on the shadowy figures before his next fight. The tournament was moving quickly, and his next opponent was even tougher than the last—a seasoned fighter with a reputation for knocking out his opponents in the first round.
As Cole stepped back into the ring, the weight of the tournament and the people watching him pressed down on his shoulders. But he couldn't afford to be distracted. This was his moment, his chance to prove himself on a bigger stage, and he wasn't going to let anyone or anything take that away from him.
The bell rang, and the fight began.
This time, his opponent came at him hard and fast, throwing powerful punches that forced Cole to stay on the defensive. But Cole kept his cool, dodging the hits and waiting for the right moment to strike.
The first round was intense, both fighters exchanging blows with brutal precision. But by the second round, Cole had found his rhythm. He moved like a predator, dodging his opponent's punches and countering with sharp, precise strikes.
His opponent was strong, but Cole's speed and technique were unmatched. By the third round, the fight was his. With one final uppercut, Cole sent his opponent crashing to the mat, securing his victory.
The crowd erupted in cheers, and for a moment, Cole allowed himself to bask in the glory of the win. But as he glanced toward the back of the arena, his eyes searching for the shadowy figures, they were nowhere to be seen.
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