Down for the Count

Down for the count
Gloves hanging on the wall, collecting dust and shame
Used to be a champion, now I barely know my name
Lost my title, lost my house, lost my girl, lost my pride
Down for the count, nowhere left to hide

Corner man Mickey, he still believes in me somehow
Says "Kid, you ain't finished, you just gotta learn how
To fight through the darkness when the lights go dim
This ain't your final round, let the comeback begin"

Doctor said my vision's blurred, hands shake from all the hits
But my spirit's still unbroken even though my body quits
Trainer Rodriguez whispers while I'm crying on the mat
"Champions ain't made by winning, they're made by coming back"

Down for the count but I ain't staying down
Lost everything I had but I won't leave this town
They can take my belt, my money, and my fame
But the heart of a fighter, that ain't something they can claim

Eviction notice posted on my apartment door
Sleeping in the gym now on that cold concrete floor
But janitor named Carlos, he unlocks it every night
Says "Champ, this is your home until you win your fight"

Waitress at the diner, she don't charge me for my meal
Knows I'm flat broke but she helps me heal
Says "Sugar, I seen you rise, I'll see you rise again
True champions always find a way to win"

Physical therapist Maria working on my damaged hands
Says "Baby, your comeback story, the whole world will understand
Every scar tells a story, every bruise shows your heart
This ain't your ending, this is where you restart"

Down for the count but I ain't staying down
Lost everything I had but I won't leave this town
They can take my belt, my money, and my fame
But the heart of a fighter, that ain't something they can claim

Ten... nine... eight... I'm hearing them count
Seven... six... five... insurmountable mount
Four... three... two... but I ain't through
One... I rise... like I always do
From the canvas of defeat
Back up on my fighting feet
Every fall taught me to fly
Champions never say goodbye

Now I'm training twice as hard with nothing left to lose
Every punch is for the people who believed I'd pay my dues
Barber shop is buzzing, old heads placing bets
"That boy's got something left, ain't seen nothing yet"

Young kids from the projects, they come watch me train
See me rise from nothing, pushing through the pain
Coach Williams from the high school brings his whole team by
Says "Look how champions fall, then watch them touch the sky"

From the homeless vet who shares his cardboard bed
To the single mother struggling just to keep her family fed
They all see their struggle when they look at my fight
I carry all their dreams when I step in that light

Promoter called this morning, wants to set another bout
Said "World wants to see what your comeback's about"
I ain't fighting for the money or the belt around my waist
I'm fighting for everyone who's felt defeat's bitter taste

Down for the count but I ain't staying down
Lost everything I had but I won't leave this town
They can take my belt, my money, and my fame
But the heart of a fighter, that ain't something they can claim

Bell rings, round one of my return to glory
This is more than boxing, this is my life story
From down for the count to standing tall and proud
Heart of a champion, roaring strong and loud

They counted me out... but I counted them wrong
Down for the count... now I'm back where I belong
In the ring... where legends are made
Down for the count... but my spirit never fade
But my spirit never fade, but my spirit never fade