The Return Of A Champion

Chapter 36 The Dark Side

18 September 1987

Following his ugly encounter with Lori, Our unpopular champion was jogging to the gym so he can get his preparation in order for his upcoming title defense against Number one contender and former champion Lincoln Loud who earned the right to face him after defeating a very long line of top contenders and now wants to regain the title from Martin in a very well promoted big money fight that will pay $50 million to both fighters but Bruno was not gonna let it happen, he didn't win this title from Mike Tyson just to hand it over to the guy both he and Tyson beat, he wants to hold on to it for a long time to come destroying challengers one by one and become an unstoppable dominant champion hopefully for the remaining 3 years of this iconic decade and into and throughout the 90s up until the year 2000 before retiring as Heavyweight champion of the world a very rich man and he decided to make this fight personal by bringing his estranged family in the Louds into this to throw him off his focus so he can make quick work of Loud in 1-4 rounds as he knows once he gets by Lincoln Loud again he will be in his rear view mirror for good this time as Lincoln's age means he likely has until late 1989 maybe even early up until mid 1990 to regain the title before his skills diminish and he becomes a shell of his former self and then from there for Martin the 90s will be smooth sailing on his way to a long unchallenged dominant reign as champ.

Which is something many Americans, current fighters, future fighters, fans, media and even the Louds don't want what they want is for Lincoln to regain the title and take it away from Bruno Martin.

Here's the updated version of the top 10 rankings of the heavyweight division in the winter months of 1987

Bruno Martin ( Champion)

1 Lincoln Loud
2 Mike Tyson
3 Tim Witherspoon
4 Carl Williams
5 Adilson Rodriguez
6 Tony Tucker
7 James Buster Douglas
8 Trevor Berbick
9 Frank Bruno
10 James Bonecrusher Smith

James Bonecrusher Smith's inactivity has got him a setback in the rankings as he fell to number 10 because of it so he decided to fight a faded Tony Tubbs as his first fight back which is happening on September 23rd

Tim Witherspoon beat Trevor Berbick by TKO in round 12 to ride to 3rd on the rankings for Berbick the loss dropped him to 8th not good for his hopes of fighting for the title again

Tony Tucker beat Ricky Parkey by Unanimous decision Tucker wanted desperately to get back in the title picture

Carl Williams has a fight against Pinklon Thomas after avenging his defeat from 3 years earlier by stopping a passed his prime Mike Weaver in the 8th round to keep pace with the leading top 3 contenders on fourth

Even though one would tell him to call it a day on his career at this point former heavyweight champion Greg Page has not given up and is continuing to fight in hopes of getting another title shot he beat Mitch Green by split decision before he lost to Frank Bruno by 3rd round knockout

Meanwhile With Lori she was with the rest of the family except for Lincoln and Christina as she told them what happened yesterday They were all shocked and angry at the same time that Martin put his hands on Lori but they are glad she fought back

Lori: If I could hit him again I wouldn't have hesitated stupid bastard!
Lola: Don't let that creep ge to
Lynn Jr: Don't let that million dollar body with the 1 cent brain get to you he will get his don't worry
Lori: I hope so that SOB should be in the coldest darkest cell in jail not fighting in a ring for dollars And harassing our sisters!
Leni: Don't worry about that french idiot he'll be knocked off of his perch either by Lincoln or whoever fights him next
Lynn Jr: No offense to Lincoln but I don't think he'll beat Martin...
Luan: Don't you dare start with your negative crap Lincoln will beat Bruno Martin hell he'll knock him out!