Duel at the Fight Ring

The Duel at the Fight Ring was a duel between HYDRA agent Spud and S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Lance Hunter, under the name "Ritchy", in an attempt to be invited into HYDRA and be able to kill Grant Ward for what he did to Bobbi.

Background
Spud gained a connection to HYDRA while working in the United Kingdom; during this time he worked alongside Lance Hunter, who used the pseudonym "Richy", in weapons dealings. During one road trip, Hunter had mocked Spud for crying at a song which reminded him of his ex-fiancé, something Spud always resented.

During one encounter with a rival, Spud got into a fight and bit the man's nose off, which Hunter witnessed and made him believe that Spud was a psychopath. Spud later moved to America where he continued his work with HYDRA.

Pitching the new HYDRA
"Do I buy my way in?" "No, you fight your way in. If you're the last man standing. You'll get a meeting."

- Lance Hunter and Spud

Years later, Lance Hunter got back into contact with Spud to arrange a meeting with HYDRA. Hunter met with Spud in a bar where he introduced him to a woman named Gina, whom Spud noted was too beautiful for him. The pair began drinking and discussed their time working together. When Gina got the conversation onto work, they revealed they had weapons they wished to sell to HYDRA; Spud explained that the new leader had trust issues and would only meet with Hunter if he proved himself in a fight club.