The Return Of A Champion

Chapter 27 Disaster Strikes

29 August 1987

After a month of training and preparation for the big title fight both fighters were in prime fighting condition as in just 22 days Lincoln Loud and Bruno Martin will meet in the Pontiac Silverdome for the undisputed WBC,WBA, IBF heavyweight championship of the world and both were really looking forward to this titanic clash but also the public and the press wanted this big time rematch and it seemed like the fight was destined to happen or so everyone thought it was. oh how life can be cruel even to our antagonist in the story

Speaking of the Undisputed leader of the heavyweight division, Bruno Martin was in the middle of a sparring session with sparring partner with young amateur fighter and the potential future of the heavyweight division Riddick Bowe who recently missed the 1987 Pan American Games due to an injury, he was now preparing for the Olympic trials against nemesis Robert Salters who beat him a year earlier by tko as well as their controversial split decision draw in their second meeting six months ago and now this third fight for the right to go to the summer Olympics next year ment the world to Bowe not only for a chance at redemption but also if he once again fails to achieve salvation it means he won't be going to the Olympics which for fighters is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Now back with Martin and Bowe the two were sparring for the 23rd round before Bowe landed a brutal left hook to Martin's nose which caused heavy swelling as well as some bleeding despite his protective padded sparring helmet which stopped the sparring match and got the trainers to step in and assess the damage to the champ's nose and the doctor confirmed their worst fears Bruno Martin suffered a broken nose and they knew he couldn't fight in this condition and the doctor estimated it would take a month for his nose to heal and the team decided to try to postpone the fight at least one month

Meanwhile with Lori she was at home cleaning the attic and then she found some of Lincoln's old toys and comics and old video games among them was his beloved stuffed rabbit Bun Bun and seeing him in particular brought back so many memories of her brother playing with this toy and although he was annoying with it was great seeing him smile with that rabbit of his. So she decided to keep the doll for now as she has some plans to get Lincoln's forgiveness

1 September 1987

Meanwhile with The Heavyweight division here was the slightly changed Top 10 Rankings of the heavyweight division

Bruno Martin ( Champion)

1 Lincoln Loud
2 Tim Witherspoon
3 Mike Tyson
4 James Bonecrusher Smith
5 Carl Williams
6 Adilson Rodriguez
7 James Buster Douglas
8 Tyrell Biggs
9 Michael Dokes
10 Mitch Green

Mitch Green beat Tony Tucker by Unanimous decision as well as took his spot in the rankings

Mitch Green beat Mike Weaver by Split decision

Tyrell Biggs beat Sammy Scaff by second round knockout before that win he lost to Michael Dokes by Unanimous decision

Michael Dokes got back to winning ways after beating Tony Tubbs by Majority Decision and also defeating Tyrell Biggs by a close unanimous decision

Mike Tyson fought Renaldo Snipes and knocked him out in the fifth round as he prepared for his big rematch against James Bonecrusher Smith

Tim Witherspoon knocked out Bernado Mercado and then he followed it up with a unanimous decision over Trevor Berbick in the seventh round to stay on his rise up the ranks

Meanwhile with Carl The Truth Williams he got back to winning ways with a Split decision win against James Buster Douglas and he was now done fighting for the year but he did set up his next fight as he will be battling Trevor Berbick early in 1988