Novel - Site
Chapter 089 Professional Debut
The next day, the New York sky remained overcast, the sun wrapped in clouds, only occasionally peeking out to reveal a faint light.
When the sunlight did sprinkle down, the skyscrapers in the center of Manhattan brightened first, while the surrounding streets were still dim, creating an illusion almost like a mirage, only this mirage was inhabited not by immortals but by the wealthy.
"Link, your boxing license has been approved."
Upon arriving at the training arena, Simon handed over a card similar to a driver's license, which was his professional boxing license, issued and reviewed by the various state sports commissions and boxing associations. Only boxers with a license were professional boxers, eligible to compete in matches organized by the professional boxing league.
Also, after becoming a professional boxer, one must adhere to the regulations of the sports commission and boxing association. If any violations or illegal activities occur, the state sports commission has the authority to revoke a boxer's license. Both Ali and Tyson had their licenses revoked before.
Name: Link Baker
Global Number: US-007255
League Number: 003415
Rank: Super Middleweight
World Ranking: None
Reach: 75.9 inches
Boxer Characteristics: Orthodox
Link looked at the license in his hand, feeling somewhat amused. He had applied before, but due to insufficient qualifications, it hadn't been approved. Now, he had obtained it effortlessly, but it didn't seem as important anymore.
"Link, your opponents for the ranking matches are also decided. There are eight in total, seven newcomers, and only one Raul Marquez, who just moved up from middleweight. He has a professional record of 15 fights, 13 wins, and last year he went the full 12 rounds with middleweight champion Benjamin Taylor. He's quite strong," said Simon as he handed over a document.
Link carefully read through it. From the data, there were hardly any strong competitors; with his own skills, he could easily sweep through in one round.
However, he wouldn't take it lightly. Now, as the world champion, he was the most famous newcomer in professional boxing, as well as an excellent stepping stone for others.
Many wanted to climb up by defeating him, stepping on his honor in the process. He could not let them have that chance.
Moreover, since news of his switch had spread, both the media and his peers in boxing were watching his matches, eager to see his performance in professional bouts. He didn't want to give anyone a reason to scoff.
Link returned to the boxing ring, continuing to spar with three training partners, honing his boxing skills.
On Wednesday, he, along with his assistant Simon Curtis, coach Tommy Brooks, sparring partner Morales, accompanying doctor Miss Rees, and the idler Dino Duva, among others—seven or eight people in total—arrived at the Madison Square Garden arena to participate in the WBA organized ranking matches.
The WBA is an abbreviation for the World Boxing Association, which has 167 member countries and regions, and includes sub-organizations like the North American Boxing Association, the South American Boxing Association, the European Boxing Association, and the Asian and Pacific Boxing Association.
The WBA headquarters is in Central America, Panama.
The North American Boxing Association headquarters is in New York.
To obtain the WBA World Champion Golden Belt title, one must first compete within North America, aiming to be the North American Champion, which is also the WBA Intercontinental Champion Golden Belt. This stage of the competition is known as the ranking matches.
After becoming the Intercontinental Champion Golden Belt holder, one then challenges the continental champions from other continents. The winner receives the World Champion Golden Belt. This stage is known as the Championship Bout.
If the World Champion Golden Belt already has an owner, after defeating the champions from different continents, one also needs to challenge the World Champion in what is called the Championship Challenge.
Due to Joe Calzaghe's recent voluntary relinquishment of the WBA Super Middleweight Golden Belt, the title was vacant. Whoever could defeat the competitors from other continents would become the new World Champion.
The entire series of matches resembles the Olympics, starting from individual countries to continents and then on to the world.
The North American region only includes the United States and Canada. The ranking matches within the United States are held in New York, organized by the North American Boxing Association.
Since the boxers participating in the ranking matches are mostly newcomers without much fame, only four to five hundred people attended the event on the day of the matches, along with thirty to forty journalists.
"Why are there only so few people?"
Link looked out over the sparse audience and felt a bit disappointed by the response of the people of New York City. After all, he was an Olympic champion making his professional debut. How come only so few people turned up? If it had been in Miami, there would have been at least 5,000 people today.
"Link, this is just a qualifying match without any promotion. It's normal to have a few people; you are a boxing star and still have some crowd support. In some matches, there is no one in the audience except for the staff and journalists."
Simon explained.
"The crowd is too small; the match will seem boring. I'll figure out a way to bring in some audience. I hope the next one won't be so cold."
"Bring in an audience? How?"
Simon asked, puzzled.
Link shook his head and stepped up to the boxing ring.
His opponent in this match was named Gerald Lowe, a newcomer from Tennessee who also had participated in the Golden Gloves tournament this year. He only made it through to the second round, his abilities were very average.
After the match began, Link didn't plan on dragging it out.
In the first round at the 4th second, he used a straight punch to break through his opponent's defense and another straight punch directly hit the opponent's forehead.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
With no protective gear to cushion the blow, the 1200-pound force of the punch landed on his opponent, delivering an impact of over 300 pounds.
The opponent was knocked down immediately, and Link easily secured the victory.
The match lasted 6 seconds!
"Ah, is that it?"
"My camera wasn't even on yet, and the match is over?"
"That was quicker than me taking off my clothes."
The audience and journalists were stunned as they saw him knock down his opponent with a single punch.
With the match beginning just 6 seconds ago and the opponent not having thrown a single punch, Link knocked him down so quickly it was unbelievable; Link was indeed a quick-draw.
After the referee announced the result, Link waved his fists and stepped down from the ring, not a single drop of sweat on him.
"Damn! That was it?"
Dino Duva was sitting with his arms crossed on a chair, ready to watch Link's match closely and see how good Link was in a professional competition. He had just sat down, not even comfortably settled, and the match on the stage was already over with Link throwing just two punches.
"Haha, that's a master's match for you. Link's capability is far beyond his opponent; 6 seconds is a very fitting number," said Tommy Brooks, the coach, laughing.
"That's Link's style, winning battles in the simplest and most direct way. You'll get used to it,"
Simon shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile.
"A hellish habit!"
Dino shook his head, knowing Link was fierce but had never expected him to be this fierce. Winning a professional match in six seconds might be worth applying for a Guinness World Record.
"Mr. Link Baker, may we have an interview with you?"
Seeing Link come down from the ring, over thirty journalists crowded around him, all eagerly throwing questions his way.
Link took off his gloves and put on his clothes, saying, "I have other commitments today, so I can only answer five of your questions."
"Mr. Link Baker, you seemed quite fired up today. Is it because of the bad weather?" a journalist shouted out loud.