Chapter 89: Chapter 89: Professional Debut
The next day, the sky in New York still hadn't cleared up. The sun was wrapped in clouds, only occasionally peeking out to reveal a faint light.
When the sunlight spilled down, the skyscrapers in the center of Manhattan were the first to brighten up, while the surrounding streets remained dim. The contrast between light and dark resembled a mirage, except that this mirage was inhabited by the wealthy, not immortals.
"Link, your boxing license application has been approved."
Arriving at the training ground, Simon handed over a card similar to a driver's license. It was Link's professional boxing license, reviewed and issued by the state sports commission and boxing association. Only licensed boxers could be considered professional and participate in competitions organized by professional boxing leagues.
At the same time, after becoming a professional boxer, one had to abide by the constraints of the sports commission and boxing association. If there were any violations or illegal activities, the state sports commission had the power to revoke the boxer's license. Both Ali and Tyson had their licenses revoked before.
Name: Link Baker
Global ID: US-007255
League ID: 003415
Level: Super Middleweight
World Ranking: None
Reach: 75.9 inches
Boxing Style: Orthodox
Link looked at the license in his hand, wanting to laugh. He had applied for it before, but due to insufficient qualifications, it hadn't been approved. Now he got it effortlessly, but it didn't seem that important anymore.
"Link, the opponents for the ranking matches have also been determined. There are a total of eight opponents, seven newcomers, and only one, Raul Marquez, who just moved up from middleweight. His professional record is 13 wins out of 15 fights. Last year, he went the full 12 rounds with middleweight champion Benjamin Taylor. He's quite skilled."
Simon handed over a document.
Link carefully read it. From the data, there were almost no strong opponents. With his own strength, he could completely sweep through them in one round.
However, he wouldn't let his guard down. He was now a world champion, the most famous rookie in professional boxing, and a prime stepping stone.
Many people wanted to climb up by defeating him, stepping on his achievements. He absolutely couldn't give them the chance.
Also, after the news of his transition to professional boxing spread, the media and boxing peers were all watching his matches, wanting to see his performance in professional competitions. He didn't want anyone to laugh at him.
Link returned to the boxing ring and continued sparring with three partners, honing his boxing skills.
On Wednesday, he, along with his assistant Simon Curtis, coach Tommy Brooks, sparring partner Morales, accompanying doctor Ms. Lacey, and the idle Dino Duva, a group of seven or eight people, went to Madison Square Garden to participate in the WBA ranking matches.
WBA was the abbreviation for the World Boxing Association, with member countries in 167 countries and regions. It had subordinate organizations like the North American Boxing Association, South American Boxing Association, European Boxing Association, and the Asia and Pacific Boxing Federation.
The WBA headquarters was in Panama, Central America.
The North American Boxing Association headquarters was in New York.
To win the WBA World Champion Gold Belt title, one needed to fight within North America first and become the North American champion, also known as the WBA Intercontinental Champion Gold Belt. This stage of competition was called the ranking matches.
After becoming the Intercontinental Champion, one would then challenge the Intercontinental Champions from other continents. The winner would obtain the World Champion Gold Belt. This stage was called the Championship Contender Matches.
If the World Champion Gold Belt already had an owner, after defeating the Intercontinental Champions, one would still need to challenge the World Champion, which was the Championship Challenge Match.
Since Joe Calzaghe had voluntarily relinquished the WBA super middleweight gold belt not long ago, the title was vacant. As long as one could defeat the opponents from other continents, they could become the World Champion.
The entire series of competitions was somewhat like the Olympics, from countries to continents, and then to the whole world.
There were only two countries in the North American region, the United States and Canada. The ranking matches within the United States were held in New York, organized by the North American Boxing Association.
Since the boxers participating in the ranking matches were mostly unknown newcomers, only four or five hundred spectators and thirty or forty reporters came to the venue on the day of the competition.
"Why are there so few people?"
Link looked at the empty stands, a little disappointed with the turnout of New Yorkers. After all, he was an Olympic champion, and this was his first professional fight. How come only so few people came? If it were in Miami, at least 5,000 people would have come today.
"Link, this is just a ranking match. There wasn't any publicity, so it's normal for there to be few people. You're a boxing star, and you still have people supporting you. Some competitions have no audience or reporters except for the staff."
Simon explained.
"There are too few people, the match will seem boring. I'll find a way to attract some audience later. Hopefully, the next match won't be so deserted."
"Attract audience? How?"
Simon asked doubtfully.
Link shook his head and walked onto the boxing ring.
His opponent in this match was named Gerald Rowe, a newcomer from Tennessee. He had also participated in the Golden Gloves Championship this year but only made it to the second round, indicating his average strength.
After the match started, Link didn't intend to drag it out.
In the fourth second of the first round, he broke through his opponent's defense with a straight punch, and the second straight punch directly hit the opponent's forehead.
Without the buffer of protective gear, the 1200-pound punch landed on the opponent, with an impact force exceeding 300 pounds.
The opponent was instantly knocked to the ground, and Link easily secured his first victory.
The match lasted 6 seconds!
"What... It's over?"
"My camera wasn't even turned on, and the match is over?"
"This is faster than me taking off my clothes."
Seeing him knock down his opponent with one punch, the audience and reporters were stunned.
The match had only started for 6 seconds, and the opponent hadn't even thrown a punch before he was knocked down. This was too fast. They didn't expect Link to be such a quick finisher.
After the referee announced the result, Link waved his fist and walked off the ring, without a single drop of sweat.
"Shit! It's over?"
Dino Duva sat in a chair with his arms crossed, ready to watch Link's match up close to see how good Link was in a professional match. But just as he sat down, before he could find a comfortable position, the match was over. Link had only thrown two punches.
"Haha, this is how a master's match is. Link's strength far exceeds his opponent's. 6 seconds is a very appropriate number."
Coach Tommy Brooks laughed.
"This is Link's fighting style, to win the match in the simplest and most direct way. You have to get used to it."
Simon shrugged and smiled.
"Get used to it, my ass!"
Dino shook his head. Although he knew Link was strong, he didn't expect him to be this strong. Winning a professional match in six seconds, maybe he could apply for a Guinness World Record.
"Mr. Link Baker, can we interview you?"
Seeing Link get off the stage, more than thirty reporters swarmed around, vying to ask him questions.
Link took off his gloves, put on his clothes, and said, "I have something else to do today, so I can only answer five of your questions."
"Mr. Link Baker, you seem a bit fired up today. Is it because of the bad weather?"
A reporter shouted.
(End of Chapter)
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