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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description: Advances in nanotechnology have transformed the sport of boxing, making fighters stronger, faster, more enduring and quicker to heal. One up-and-coming contender learns, though, that they have not changed everything about the sport.

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Analog, 2001
Fictionwise Release Date: September 2002

16 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [86 KB], eReader (PDB) [35 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [22 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [20 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [71 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [92 KB], hiebook (KML) [79 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [52 KB], iSilo (PDB) [18 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [23 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [51 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [33 KB]
Words: 6182
Reading time: 17-24 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

"...the best work in this issue, because it looks at the impact of a plausible future technology (nanotech) on a narrow slice of our culture (boxing), and makes said impact believable, while also plausibly showing us the impact on one character's life. Luis Razon is a promising boxer, hoping for a title chance. But his nanotech company also sponsors the current champion, and they don't seem interested in having the two boxers meet. How can Luis maneuver his way out of his contract with one company without ruining his career? The setup is believable, and the solution logical and well-presented. A solid short story, and real science fiction to boot.--Rich Horton, Tangent Online (Learn more about Tangent Online, the Internet's leading SF&F short fiction review website)

Luis shadow-boxed in a corner of the locker room, waiting for his injections. The WEB Commission inspector was taking his time, as usual. His nerves stayed steady. He trusted Biodyne to know their business, the way they trusted him to know his.

The inspector had dip sensors in all of the vials, checking the concentration of nanomachines. He waved forked fluorescent scanners over the vials one by one, to catch anything in the solutions that didn't register chemically. Evasion had been common in the early years of enhanced boxing, and had almost ruined the sport before the Commission brought strong enforcement.

Leon Gordon watched, his face dark and very serious for his age. Some corner nanotechs might try to go over the four micrograms per kilo limit, then discard the overage if they got caught. He had more pride, and more confidence, than that.

The inspector consulted a palm reader, nodded to the corner team, and walked over to Luis. He got a quick urine sample, and while the dip-rod analyzed it, he ran test swabs over Luis's skin, especially on the fists and inside the mouth. They all stayed white, and the urine checked out.

"Turn around, please," said the inspector.

He produced a pressure hypo, put it at the back of Luis's head just below the cranium, and pushed the injector. Other nanos were custom-made by the sponsor corporations, but these were mandated by WEB rules, and handled by its officials. They would work to break down amyloids, dismantle neurofibrillary tangles, repair neurons sheared apart by the force of an opponent's fists. They were the reason boxing survived in the middle of the century.

He handed Luis his robe, already inspected. "Good luck, Mister Razon."

"Thank you." He didn't offer his hand. He had learned not to long ago.