It was several hundred of Manchester against three of Sheffield. The noise grew to an uproar as the first bell sounded, the crowd urging Brodie to victory on a wave of noise. Naseem circled for a few seconds before moving into range. As he did so, Brodie adjusted his headguard, mandatory protection for amateurs. It was a habit of Brodie's.
Some boxers hitch up their trunks, others bang their gloves together, or bite on their gumshield.
Brodie liked to adjust his headguard with his gloves, so that it felt just right. As he did so, Naseem struck twice, left, right, straight through the middle. Brodie pitched forward on to his hands and knees. Brodie stayed kneeling, shaking his head slowly in disbelief. He began to get up, but too late.