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Becoming the CRITIC in THE BOXING RING OF LIFE

Published

11 years ago

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His name is spoken in whispers, as if referring to a ghost that could jump out of the corner and terrify you at any moment. Those who had watched his final appearance hated talking about it… 

The Critic wasn’t a fighter. He was a legend. An indestructible boxer who faced every imaginable opponent. His fights became fabled stories, told over campfires, dinner tables, schoolyards and boardrooms. Passed down from generation to generation. What eventually happened to him, no one really knows. Many believe he’s still alive, traveling the globe, watching people fight from a distance. Amidst all the stories, there are certain opponents, specific fights that stand out, deeply resonating with individuals, told as if they were happening right here, right now…

He seems so stoic, standing there, barely flinching as his body absorbs blow, after blow, after blow. He barely shows any bruises! Why isn’t he defending himself? Wait, did he just thank The Critic for the litany of hits he just received?
Is he really now bowing his head gracefully after such an epic loss? Is this man even human? The Absorber is a crowd pleaser, a charmer, an underdog that you can’t help but root for. He doesn’t say much, and doesn’t need to, thanks to his physical strength, enchanting good looks and seductive aura of mystery. He doesn’t win his fights through knockouts. No, instead, he patiently waits for his opponent to wear out, to punch themselves into a heap of exhaustion. His impenetrable, motionless approach intimidates opponents. What do you do with a physically imposing fighter who can take all the punches you’re capable of throwing at him? How do you fight Superman? How powerful the illusion The Absorber has created; the shroud of invisibility masking the truth of his humanity.

A truth that is only made apparent in the dark shadows of his locker room. There, he disintegrates into ashes of human misery. His limbs shaking uncontrollably, his stomach muscles violently cramping as he vomits up blood and bile. His crushed ribs piercing into his lungs. His heartbeat fading as his body succumbs to the onslaught of pain and trauma. His doctor had warned him; he likely wouldn’t survive enduring another fight. The internal injuries his body had sustained after all these years of absorbing brutal force, one blow at a time, were too severe. “Why do you take these hits so willingly? Why don’t you fight back? Why do you work so hard to mask your pain? Why are you putting yourself through all this torture?”

“Because I deserve every single blow that has come my way.”

“That’s not fair, I wasn’t ready! It’s my coach’s fault I wasn’t prepared, not mine. This is completely unfair, I know all of you have conspired against me!”

Ask any experienced fighter and they’ll all tell you the same exact thing: trying to win a fight with The Victim is utterly futile. In fact, unless you’re prepared to just let him win, don’t even bother stepping into that arena.

This response maybe very confusing because by all appearances The Victim seems like such a good sportsman. He’s gentle and perceivably humble, infatuating audiences all around with his unassuming, baby-faced persona. And he actually is a skilled fighter, worthy of facing any top-notch fighter. He’s quick on his feet, knows how to read and manipulate his opponent and definitely packs a powerful punch when the timing is right. But he’s also extremely unpredictable. He says he always tries to fight fair, and sometimes he truly does. However, when faced with the threat of a strong, talented, fast or merely intimidating opponent, all bets are off. Not only does The Victim forgo even trying to fight, he shifts into drama queen mode, declaring excuse after excuse of why he is unable to fight. “The weigh in wasn’t correct, you said he was 160 pounds but he clearly looks more like 180 pounds. No one gave me the rules, no one explained to me how this was going to happen, how was I supposed to know?”

Despite being warned, despite being aware of The Victim’s manipulative tactics, The Critic pushed forward. Convinced he wouldn’t be fooled by The Victim’s fake innocence, confident that he would be the one to force him into a fair test of skill, strength and endurance. Oh boy, was he wrong. Technically, it wasn’t even a fight. No punches were thrown, barely any movement took place in the ring. Instead The Victim stepped into the ring, glanced at The Critic, slipped his gloves off and walked to the referee to air his complaints.

Forty-five minutes later, in an empty, echoing arena, The Victim’s pitiful, strained voice could be heard repeating the same statements “Everything was plotted against me, there was no way I could fight, it wasn’t a fair match up, it’s not my fault, there was nothing I could do, I had no choice, why does this always happen to me…?”

His name is spoken in whispers, as if referring to a ghost that could jump out of the corner and terrify you at any moment. Those who had watched his final appearance hated talking about it. Too traumatic, some claimed, “I just want to forget I ever witnessed what I saw.” Sure, The Aggressor was long known for his vicious attacking style and his relentless, albeit frenetic, approach to taking down his opponents. But this time when stepping into the ring against The Critic, for what would become his grand finale, this time he went way too far.

According to local lore, The Aggressor clearly appeared agitated during the lead-up to the fight. He snapped at reporters, barked orders at his handlers and even cursed out his coach in public. So while there was certainly a level of nervous and turbulent energy in the air the night of the fight, nothing could have prepared the audience for the ensuing bloodbath.

The Critic had barely slipped his gloves on when The Aggressor lunged at him, attacking like a rapid dog. He wasn’t just throwing punches either, he was kicking The Critic, using his elbows, gnawing his teeth when flesh was in close contact, using the sheer force of his ominous body to crush his opponent and literally tear him apart. At first the audience cheered loudly, transfixed by the intensity of the visceral action they were witnessing. But when the first crunch of a bone was heard the cheers morphed into gasps. When the maroon splotches scattering the mat turned into pools of red viscous liquid, you could hear screams of terror reverberating throughout the arena.

Finally, the bell rang. The Aggressor proudly raised his arms in victory anticipating thunderous adulation. Instead, he faced a now half empty arena, frozen in horror, deathly silent. And the mangled, almost lifeless body of The Critic, strewn across his blood splattered feet.

“Did The Critic die?” wide-eyed children asked their parents.

“No he survived, remember The Critic was the greatest fighter that ever lived, no one could destroy him.”

“So what happened to The Aggressor?”

“Well, he was shunned, everybody was too terrified to be anywhere near him. Rumor has it that he became an alcoholic and lived the rest of his solitary life in the woods.”

This was the fight you did not want to miss, the kind of fight people refer to as THE fight. Oh the action, the drama! Every blow counteracted by the other. Such a display of speed, elegance, power! The finest example of what a boxing match is all about. The thing about The Defender is that he can be a great opponent in the ring if you manage to break through his thick, defensive walls. Of course he is a master at protecting himself, thanks to a combination of fast, aggressive defense tactics, the deft ability to bob and weave, and a knack for knowing when and how to cover up. And not only is he strong enough to take powerful hits, he’s able to throw out his own too. But you have to catch him off guard, approach him from an unexpected angle, or confuse him with strategic moves.

Which is exactly what The Critic was able to do during THE fight. Initially, The Critic advanced aggressively, aiming to get The Defender comfortable in approaching the fight like he usually does – in full defensive mode. Then The Critic started to pull back, working slowly, landing an unexpected jab then retreating, an unexpected hook then weaving out of sight, another jab and then springing back.

At first, The Defender counteracted passively, waiting for the hits to arrive. Then he realized The Critic wasn’t trying to simply knock him out, he wanted to interact, he wanted to fight, he wanted to give the audience what they deserve – a true combat with two worthy opponents. So he relinquished, began to fight back and deliver as requested. And fight with all of his heart The Defender did do.

However, this fight wasn’t about The Defender delivering aggression, it was about The Critic delivering himself. Battling The Defender allowed the audience to finally see The Critic; this was a rare moment when the overwhelming depth of his talents, the sheer ingenuity of his techniques, and the brute power stored in his petite, yet muscular frame, was laid bare. Thanks to The Defender being open to engaging his opponent, having the courage and endurance to keep fighting, even when all his defenses were shattered, and he was left crawling on the mat, vulnerable, defeated, begging for mercy.

This was precisely what the audience came to see. A fighting, yet worthy man broken down, a victor who thoroughly earned his crown.

There is one final opponent The Critic faced, the one fighter The Critic sincerely admired and respected. Only he never actually faced this fighter in a match.

This opponent had multiple names, as no one was really sure how to label him. The Seeker, The Open One, The Listener, The Humble One, The Learner, The Self-Assured, The One at Peace. His name was irrelevant, his actions said it all.

The Critic sat with him, in the middle of the ring, in a serene, open arena. And for a magical moment in time, they traded fighting tactics, shared intimate details about their journeys’ getting to where they are, asked each other earnest questions, absorbing every word, lifting each other up, powered by the strength of their vulnerabilities, helping each other grow. And then the moment was over.

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Cover Story

Elizabeth Nzisa: The Firstborn Who Became a Mother Overnight

Published

4 weeks ago

on

March 19, 2026

By

While most teenagers spend their days focused on school, friendships, and dreams for the future, Elizabeth Nzisa, fondly known as Shiku, was forced to grow up much faster than she ever imagined. At only 17 years old, she found herself taking on the role of a mother to her three younger siblings after her family was hit by tragedy not once, but twice.

Her story, shared in an emotional interview, is a powerful reflection of strength, sacrifice and the deep bond between siblings. Elizabeth recalls the moment her life changed completely. Her mother died while giving birth to their youngest sibling, a baby boy. In the middle of that painful loss, their father walked away from the family, leaving Elizabeth alone with a newborn and two other young children to care for.

Mama yetu alipass 2024, Feb. Alipass akipata haka katoto kadogo. Dad naye akatuacha akaenda

 

Becoming a Mother Too Soon

She explains that she had no choice but to step up and become the parent in the house. She raised her youngest brother from the day he was born, and to this day he calls her mum, not knowing she is actually his big sister. That detail alone shows how much responsibility she carried at such a young age. She became the provider, the protector, the caregiver, and the emotional support for her siblings while she was still trying to understand life herself. With little help from relatives, Elizabeth had to find ways to survive, balancing school when she could, doing small jobs and making sure her siblings were fed, safe and loved.

The journey was not easy. She faced financial struggles, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure of trying to stay strong even when she felt overwhelmed. There were moments when she doubted herself and wondered if she was doing enough. Still, her story is not about defeat. It is about endurance. Elizabeth talks about finding strength through faith, support from the people around her, and the determination to keep her family together no matter how hard things became.

Over the years, she made sure her siblings stayed in school, had food on the table, and grew up feeling loved despite everything they had lost. What could have been a completely broken home became a family held together by her sacrifice and commitment.

Many viewers reacted emotionally, saying the story moved them to tears. Some described firstborn daughters as second mothers, while others said her life shows the kind of courage people rarely see but should never forget.

 

Click here to read our March issue 2026

Continue Reading

Cover Story

Elizabeth Nzisa: The Firstborn Who Became a Mother Overnight

Published

4 weeks ago

on

March 19, 2026

By

While most teenagers spend their days focused on school, friendships, and dreams for the future, Elizabeth Nzisa, fondly known as Shiku, was forced to grow up much faster than she ever imagined. At only 17 years old, she found herself taking on the role of a mother to her three younger siblings after her family was hit by tragedy not once, but twice.

Her story, shared in an emotional interview, is a powerful reflection of strength, sacrifice and the deep bond between siblings. Elizabeth recalls the moment her life changed completely. Her mother died while giving birth to their youngest sibling, a baby boy. In the middle of that painful loss, their father walked away from the family, leaving Elizabeth alone with a newborn and two other young children to care for.

Mama yetu alipass 2024, Feb. Alipass akipata haka katoto kadogo. Dad naye akatuacha akaenda

 

Becoming a Mother Too Soon

She explains that she had no choice but to step up and become the parent in the house. She raised her youngest brother from the day he was born, and to this day he calls her mum, not knowing she is actually his big sister. That detail alone shows how much responsibility she carried at such a young age. She became the provider, the protector, the caregiver, and the emotional support for her siblings while she was still trying to understand life herself. With little help from relatives, Elizabeth had to find ways to survive, balancing school when she could, doing small jobs and making sure her siblings were fed, safe and loved.

The journey was not easy. She faced financial struggles, emotional exhaustion, and the pressure of trying to stay strong even when she felt overwhelmed. There were moments when she doubted herself and wondered if she was doing enough. Still, her story is not about defeat. It is about endurance. Elizabeth talks about finding strength through faith, support from the people around her, and the determination to keep her family together no matter how hard things became.

Over the years, she made sure her siblings stayed in school, had food on the table, and grew up feeling loved despite everything they had lost. What could have been a completely broken home became a family held together by her sacrifice and commitment.

Many viewers reacted emotionally, saying the story moved them to tears. Some described firstborn daughters as second mothers, while others said her life shows the kind of courage people rarely see but should never forget.

 

Click here to read our March issue 2026

Continue Reading

Cover Story

Endometriosis and sex: How to make intimacy pain-free

Published

1 month ago

on

March 11, 2026

By

There is no doubt that endometriosis can affect a woman’s way of life. The condition slews a couple of conditions, painful sex being one of them. Penetration pulls and pushes any tissue growth behind the vagina and lower uterus.

Although symptoms may differ from woman to woman, here are some things you can do to lessen your pain and ensure you have some good time:

Take a dose of painkillers

Take an over the counter painkiller that sits well with your body before intercourse and incase pain persists, take another one as prescribed.

Track your cycle and try at certain times of the month

Most women with endometriosis experience excruciating pain during their period and ovulation. Keep track of your cycle so that you can know when you are ovulating. You can use apps like my calendar and flo period tracker to track your periods. This will help you know when best to engage in sexual intercourse.

READ ALSO: Crucial Facts About Endometriosis Everyone Should Know About

Use lube

Vaginal dryness is not something to be ashamed of and if you happen to have it, lube should be your best buddy. Make sure to use any silicon or water based lubricant anytime you feel like your vagina is dry. Ensure the application is of good amount to achieve a wet area.

Explore alternatives

Talk with your partner about things that turn you on and bring you pleasure. Just to mention a few; mutual masturbation, foreplay, kissing and mutual fondling. Sex does not have to mean intercourse.

Try different positions

Experimenting different positions can teach you and your partner which ones hurt and the ones that bring direct pleasure with no or less pain. Positions that are considered better vary from person to person so take the time to explore and learn yourself with your partner.

Find the right rhythm

Finding the right rhythm can help you experience less discomfort during sex. Quick thrusting or deep penetration can aggravate pain. Talk to your partner about that which you do not like and find ways that will satisfy the both of you like exchanging positions so that you can control the speed and rhythm.

Bottom line

Intimacy does not have to be boring, painful or make you hate the condition that you have. Talk openly about your feelings around sex and penetration and what would help to ease your concerns.

Our FREE  e-paper March Issue is here!
As we celebrate our women this month, we bring you the best stories and the most inspiring features to get you going.
Click HERE to read!

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