The sixth round ends as others have, with Barnes landing a punch after the bell. Singh swings back in anger, drawing boos from the Barnes camp and cheers from his own. This is now the longest fight Singh has ever fought.

In the eighth round, Singh is surprisingly light on his feet, and looks to be making up for his losses in the early rounds. He feints, holding his right hand out to the side to keep his opponent guessing.

A Latino guy sitting near the ring keeps shouting advice to Singh.

"He gotta left jab -- pop, pop, pop - then hit him with the right. POP!" he explains, swinging his hands for emphasis. "See, like that. There you go, Guru, there you go!"

The 10th round finishes and it's time for the judges to submit their scores. Both fighters raise their hands in the air in one last, exhausted gesture of cockiness.

The first judge, says the announcer, calls it 96-94, in Singh's favor. The second one declares a tie, 95 even.

Dramatic pause. The third and final judge calls it 98-92, in Singh's favor.

A roar goes up and only one arm remains up in the air. Guru Singh has just won the toughest fight of his life, preserving his unblemished record and ensuring that his days of anger and obscurity are nearing an end.

Also see: Almost a revolution