THE BET V - THE DEFEAT.

It can't be, this can't be happening, it's impossible, Julio thought while he was lying on the canvas, totally immobilized, with one of Carlos's knees pressing into his back and a foot crushing his face.

Surrender, bastard, surrender.... Accept your defeat.... Carlos shouted, exultant with happiness because after several years, he had finally managed to beat him.

The fights of the remaining members of both teams had been evenly matched. Half and half. Victory or defeat centered on this one, in which both captains were facing each other, and it was clear that for the moment, Carlos was about to defeat him.

From the ground he looked at his teammates' faces of desolation. Come on, captain, come on, find some strength, you can do it.... they shouted at him, and around him the spectators yelled fervently as if they were in the Roman circus.

Something truly appropriate, since both Carlos and he were dressed like true gladiators.

Carlos with a short leather skirt that barely covered a black lycra brief, speedo-style, and he, with his usual swagger, with a loincloth over a mesh thong in front, and a G-string in back.

I said surrender, faggot...... Come on, say it out loud and admit defeat. There's no possible escape for you. You won't be able to break out of this hold, bastard.... Carlos kept shouting at him with his mouth pressed to his ear.....

Nooooo..... fuck, I'm not surrendering. By my balls I'm not surrendering.... Julio shouted back, drawing a cry of admiration from the crowd and from his teammates.

But in the end reality prevailed and he had no choice but to accept it like the alpha male he was.

I surrender, fuck..... I surrender..... he said, letting his arms fall and relaxing his exhausted body onto the ring canvas.

A murmur ran through the stands. Some applauded and others could not believe what they were seeing.

For the first time Julio's team, and Julio himself, was losing a fight. And they were doing so against his eternal rival, the gym on the Avenue, and Carlos's team.

All the members of the winning team had climbed into the ring, cheering and hugging their captain, while insulting and mocking Julio's team, who looked at them with faces of desolation and disbelief.

Raúl approached the ring intending to climb up to help Julio get to his feet and recover his composure, but they stopped him.

Back off, man, now your captain belongs to us for a month, and we'll be the ones taking care of him.

And so it was. Led by Carlos, they approached the defeated fighter, who, showing his proverbial strength, had already recovered and was getting up.

Easy, Raúl, Carlos said in the midst of the silence that had fallen. And he continued. It was a clean fight and I was defeated, so I have no choice but to comply with what was wagered and with my word as a man.

After these words he turned toward Carlos and,...