The hospital room was dimly lit by the fading afternoon sun, casting long shadows across the floor. Lucas lay there, staring at the ceiling, his mind buzzing with thoughts. The offer from Carolina and José replayed in his head like a broken record. **Two months to get ready**. It felt like a ticking clock, louder with each passing minute.
His body still ached. Every breath reminded him of the ribs Rodrigão had cracked. The bruises on his face were fading, but the deeper wounds—those on his spirit—were still fresh. He had won the fight, but the thought of stepping into the ring again so soon brought a wave of anxiety.
Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, the door creaked open, and in walked **Leandro**, Lucas' childhood friend. Tall, wiry, and full of energy, Leandro had been there since the beginning. They had grown up together in the same favela, training in the same dingy gym, dreaming of a way out.
— **"What's up, champ?"** — Leandro grinned, pulling up a chair next to Lucas' bed.
Lucas smiled weakly, though the effort made his ribs throb.
— **"Same old,"** — Lucas replied, shifting uncomfortably on the bed. — **"Trying to figure out if I'm crazy enough to fight in two months."**
Leandro's grin faded as he leaned forward, concern creasing his brow.
— **"Two months? You serious?"**
Lucas nodded. — **"Some big promoter came by. They want me in this elite tournament. Said it's my shot to make it, but I don't know, man. I'm still hurting from Rodrigão. Two months isn't enough time."**
Leandro leaned back, running a hand through his short hair. He knew how much this meant to Lucas. He also knew the risks. They had seen too many boxers pushed too hard, too fast—broken bodies, shattered dreams. But he also understood the brutal reality of their world.
— **"Look, bro, I get it. You don't want to rush. But let me ask you something: When's the last time an opportunity like this came knocking? You know how it is. If you wait, who knows when you'll get another shot like this? Maybe never."**
Lucas sighed. That was the crux of it. The fear of missing out. The fear that this might be his one and only chance to rise above his circumstances, to escape the endless grind of survival in the favela.
— **"Yeah, I know. But what if I'm not ready? What if I get in there and they tear me apart? I'm not going to lie, Leandro, Rodrigão almost killed me. I was this close to getting knocked out."** Lucas held up his fingers, barely an inch apart.
Leandro frowned. — **"That was Rodrigão, bro. You already proved you could beat him. The rest? They're just names. They're not invincible. You've been training for this your whole life. You've got the heart, the skill. What you need now is belief."**
Lucas stared at the ceiling, the words bouncing around in his head. Belief. It was easier said than done. His heart was heavy with doubts, but he knew Leandro was right in some ways. Every boxer needed that moment, that leap of faith.
— **"What about your mom?"** Leandro asked softly, changing the tone of the conversation. — **"She's always been your reason to fight, right? Getting her out of that place, giving her a better life. That's still the plan, isn't it?"**
Lucas closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the familiar knot of emotion tighten in his chest. **Dona Maria**. His mother had sacrificed everything for him and his siblings. She worked endless shifts cleaning houses, barely scraping by. She had never asked for anything, but Lucas had promised himself that one day, he would be the one to take care of her. This was supposed to be his ticket out.
— **"Yeah,"** — Lucas murmured. — **"I can't let her down."**
Leandro nodded, standing up. — **"Then don't."** He slapped Lucas' arm playfully. — **"You're going to think about this too much and drive yourself crazy. Take the shot. Train like hell for the next two months and show them what you're made of. It's all or nothing, bro. That's how it's always been."**
Lucas watched as Leandro left, the door closing softly behind him. His words echoed in the silence. **All or nothing**.
---
The next morning, Lucas sat up in bed, feeling slightly better but still moving cautiously. As he gingerly touched his bandaged ribs, the door opened again. This time, it wasn't a friend. It was Carolina Martins, back earlier than expected, with José following closely behind. She carried the same confident air, her every movement deliberate.
— **"Lucas, I know we gave you some time to think,"** — she began, her voice smooth and persuasive. — **"But we need an answer soon. This isn't just about the tournament. This is about your future. Sponsors are interested. We're talking about real money, real opportunities for you and your family. You can't afford to hesitate."**
Her words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of expectation. Lucas glanced at her, feeling a rush of anxiety mix with the excitement.
— **"I'm still recovering,"** — he said cautiously. — **"Two months isn't a lot of time, and I don't want to go in there if I'm not at my best."**
Carolina smiled, almost as if she had been waiting for that response. — **"And that's exactly why we're offering you everything you need to be ready. You'll have access to the best trainers, medical care, recovery specialists. We're investing in you, Lucas. This isn't just about getting into the ring. It's about making sure you're stronger than ever."**
José stepped forward, nodding in agreement. — **"They believe in you, Lucas. The question is, do you believe in yourself?"**
Lucas looked between the two of them, feeling the pressure mounting. It wasn't just about the fight anymore. It was about everything that came with it—the money, the fame, the chance to change his life forever. But it also came with risks, the kind that could break him if he wasn't ready.
Carolina's voice softened, as if sensing his hesitation. — **"Lucas, I know what you're thinking. But sometimes, opportunities like this only come once. And when they do, you either take the leap, or you watch someone else grab it. You've got what it takes. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe that."**
Lucas exhaled slowly, his heart pounding. Two months to train, two months to heal, two months to prepare for the biggest moment of his life. The decision loomed over him, but deep down, he knew that Leandro was right. If he didn't take this chance, he might never get another.
He looked up at Carolina and José, his voice steady but resolute.
— **"Alright. I'm in."**
Carolina's smile widened, the deal sealed. — **"Good choice, Lucas. You won't regret this."**
As they left the room, Lucas felt a mixture of excitement and fear settle in his chest. The next two months would be the hardest of his life. But if he could survive them, if he could fight through the pain and doubts, then maybe—just maybe—he could prove to the world, and to himself, that he truly was **Punho de Ferro**.
---
This chapter delves deeper into Lucas' internal struggle and decision-making process, highlighting the weight of his choices and the pressure of the opportunity in front of him. It also builds anticipation for what's to come as he prepares for the next big step in his journey.