The Unholy Patrons

By Mac Kelly Obison

From the slums of Cape Town, a hero is born. At the age of twenty-two, Warren Baunn was already a national boxing champion. After three successive years, he remained unbeaten in the ring. It was only but fitting that by the time Warren called it quits, his name must have been written in gold letters among the legends of the sport. But there was a dramatic twist in his career when Warren punched the living daylights out of an opponent in the ring, who unfortunately died two days later in the hospital. Traumatized and depressed from the ill-fated incident, Warren gave up the profession at the prime of his career and took to alcohol, prostitutes, and drugs as solace for his dejection.

Meanwhile, former champion Blake Kane, made his plans to retire from the sport public. Meaning, the highly anticipated Battle of Egos between Warren Baunn and Blake Kane would never happen. It is all but bad business to the Patrons of the sport, as Warren repeatedly turned down colossal offers to reverse his decision and take on Blake on what was expected to be the biggest boxing fight in the history of South Africa. Ultimately, someone was determined to make the fight happen and was willing to go to any length. Warrens mum went out for a stroll one evening and never returned, only for Warren to get a text from an anonymous number that read, Fight Blake Kane in another 27 days or you will never see your mum again. Go to the cops or tell anybody and you will find her corpse on your doorsteps the following morning.

In this thriller, Mac Kelly Obison ingeniously delivers mind-throbbing suspense, horrendous treachery, atrocious act of blackmail, and revenge all packed in an explosive saga.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: May 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504942454

Mac Kelly Obison

Mac Kelly Obison is the author of the award-winning novel “The Holy Pagan.” He has also authored three other masterpieces, which equally are getting massive attention across the globe.

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2015 Mac Kelly Obison. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/18/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-4244-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-4245-4 (e)

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About the Author

DEDICATION

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T o Joanne Kmaid and Angela Khalil, two angels walking on earth.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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G od gave us the grace to brave all odds. I acknowledge His benevolence.

My gratitude to Bonaventure Uzochi, for ingeniously editing this piece.

I will forever remain beholden to An’Tony Obison and the entire Obisons, for their love and moral energy.

Heaven smile on us all.

Mac Kelly Obison

Qatar, May 2015

CHAPTER ONE

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A ll the boys were hyped when Warren Baunn walked into the fitness hall, they were screaming at the top of their voices, The birthday boy is in the house. Warren smiled and dropped his little bag on the bench by the door and went hugging each of his pals as, they wished him happy birthday. It was his twenty second birthday but he didn’t let that stop him from attending his training session that morning. He stood, chit chatting with his buddies for a while before they were interrupted by a heavy voice, Get back to work boys, you will have all the time to talk about party and girls after the session.

Coach Rob Leni walked his gigantic frame up to the little crowd that has gathered around Warren. He was in his early fifties and an ex-professional boxer. He run a small boxing club, where he trained young and aspiring boxers and transformed them into professionals. He had a small group of about eighteen lads but obviously his most outstanding student was Warren. Coach Rob had discovered Warren when he was just seventeen years of age at a bus stop. A lady in her forties was robbed off her handbag by a big dude of about nine years older than Warren. Warren had chased on the dude as he ran down the street, caught him at the collar of his shirt and landed two swift punches on his face. The crook fell on the ground and tried to get back to his feet twice without success and he just collapse on the ground, relinquishing the handbag. Warren picked up the handbag and returned it to the lady, as the crowd watched on in utter bewilderment. Two cops walked up to the thief still lying on the ground helpless and cuffed him and the crowd went on cheering at Warren. Men gave him pats on his back and ladies planted numerous kissed on his cheeks. Coach Robert was leaning on a pole and silently watched the drama as it unfolded. When the frenzy had subsided, he walked up to Warren and extended his hand for a hand shake, at the same time saying, I am Coach Rob.

Warren Baunn, he said, as he grabbed the hand for a firm handshake.

Coach Roberts was stunned by the strength that characterized the handshake. He had never met a teenager with that kind of a grip in his entire life. The guy was just too energetic and brave for his age. Coach Robert recognized strength when he came across one and Warren was throwing out too much of it. How are you doing son? He demanded.

I am in great shape and you? warren replied smiling.

I am good, Coach Robert responded, rubbed his left eye with his hand and demanded, What do you do for a living?

I am a student, I just wrote the ordinary levels exams and I am waiting for my results, responded Warren with an air of curiosity.

Coach Robert nodded thoughtfully and said, A great job you did out there knocking off that crook.

Warren smiled and said, It’s my pleasure, the idiot had no compassion for the poor lady.

That was the swiftest successive punches I have seen in my whole life, Coach Robert said, looking serious.

He got what he deserved, Warren remarked and put his hands in his pockets. I have to be on my way, Warren continued, looking at a bus that just pulled over.

Not yet son, I run a boxing club at king’s way Boulevard, number 33. I would love you to call around tomorrow evening, Coach Rob said enticingly, staring at warren in the eyes.

What for? Warren demanded, looking skeptical.

Just be sure to be there and you will get to know all about it, Couch Robert encouraged.

Warren nodded and said, Ok see you then.

The next day at 4 pm, Warren Baunn walked into the boxing club, dressed in a faded black t-shirt and brown pants; he had an old pair of Nike sneakers on his feet. He stopped a few steps away from the door and looked around the hall; there was a boxing ring with four lads taking on each other. Close to the ring was about three punching bags hanging from the ceiling, two other guys were hitting hard on the bags and sweating profusely. The other part of the hall consisted of couple of bench presses and a handful of dumbbells of various weights, arranged on a rack. About ten skipping robes were hung on the wall. Ah, there you go, Coach Rob called out from the other end of the room when he saw Warren. He walked up to Warren.

Good afternoon, Warren said, as he extended his hand for a handshake.

Good afternoon, how are you doing son? Coach Rob said, as they shook hands.

I am very much ok, Warren responded cheerfully.

Coach Rob asked warren to come with him and he led him to the far corner of the hall and they sat on a bench. A piece of apple and a knife was on a plate close to the bench; Coach Rob took the knife and split the apple in two equal halves. He gave one half to Warren and started biting on the other half. Warren thanked him and went on eating his slice. How old are you son? Coach Rob demanded placing the knife on the plate.

Seventeen, Warren replied, still looking around the room.

What kind of sporting activities do you indulge in? Coach inquired with a blank expression on his face.

I play basketball a lot and tennis also, Warren replied, wearing a smile.

Have you ever considered having a career in any of those sports? Coach Rob demanded in a fatherly manner.

I have but I need to put in more effort in my studies so I can leave high school with excellent grades, in order to be eligible for the government scholarship. My mum doesn’t earn much in her job and life is pretty much a nightmare for us. My only hope of having a university education is by obtaining the scholarship, elaborated Warren.

Coach Rob sat quiet for a while reflecting. Finally he asked, Do you know you can be a great boxer?

Warren looked at his fingers, smiled and said, I don’t know.

You have the spirit of a fighter in you. I recognize talent when I set eyes on one. I saw the way you knocked out that thug at the bus station. It wasn’t only a display of strength but it takes courage and bravery to go after a thief of that size unarmed. You will make a fine boxer if you ever choose to commit yourself to the sport. Coach Rob was still handling the situation with a soapy touch.

It sure sounds enticing but I don’t know what it takes to be a boxer and how to go about it, Warren replied, a look of ambivalence clouding his face.

That is why I invited you here. I was a professional boxer until I retired seven years ago. I have been running this boxing club now for five years. Basically, I pick up talented boys like you from the streets who are willing to havea career as professional boxers and make their dreams come true. I have about eighteen registered boys; some participate in the amateur league and others in the light weight league and some are going into the professional championship. You can be a member of the team, if you are willing to take the chance. Don’t waste this talent boy, you got what it takes, Coach Rob urged emphatically.

Warren sat speechless for a while gently pulling on the lower lobe of his right ear. Coach Rob sensed his hesitance and said, I gonna provide you with the necessary training you require. Mentally and physically, just like the lads you see out here.

Warren looked at the lads training dedicatedly; their bodies glittered from sweat. He admired their enthusiasm and passion. I gonna think about it and get the opinion of my mom as well. I will get back to you in a couple of days, he finally said.

Cool, let me have your mobile phone number, Coach Rob said, taking out his mobile phone.

I am sorry, I don’t own one, Warren replied, looking a bit embarrassed. It was rare to see a seventeen- year old who doesn’t own a mobile phone. It was just a hint of the kind of life Warren was having.

It’s ok. Just drop me your home address, I don’t mind coming over to have a word with your mom in case she wouldn’t want to support you, Coach Rob said and got up, he walked through a door and disappeared down a corridor. He returned with a note book and a pen and gave it to Warren. Warren scribbled down his home address and gave it to Coach Rob. The coach in turn wrote down his number and gave it to Warren.

Two days later, Coach Rob got a call from Warren’s mom inviting him to their home. When Coach Rob got there, she asked him to elaborate precisely what plans he had for Warren. He elucidated to her just as he had done to Warren and encouraged her it would all be for the best for them all to support him. She told Coach Rob that Warren was interested in the initiative and she was going to support him, as long as it wouldn’t interfere with Warren’s studies. Coach Rob promised he would prioritize Warren’s study over his boxing training sessions. The following day, Warren began training at Coach Rob’s boxing club.

It was Warren’s birthday but he had a title match in another ten days and there wasn’t any chance of relenting any effort when it comes to his commitment to training. His opponent was Charles Rega, the current champion and a man who had a reputation of sending his opponents to the hospital. Warren had won his two previous matches to the build up to this match but his previous opponents couldn’t come anywhere close to Charles Rega when it comes to physical strength and tactics of the game and he was about eight years older than Warren. This was his first big fight