Bab 84: ### Chapter 84: The Brave Wins When Paths Cross
"Have you watched Vasily Kirov's match footage? Any thoughts?" Alvin asked as he sat down and poured two cups of tea.
"Vasily is strong!" Richard responded.
Vasily won the Olympic championship in 1996, and since the beginning of 1997, he has participated in 12 professional matches, winning all 12 with 10 KOs. More impressively, he ended all these matches within the first four rounds.
From his opponent Vinny Brown in January 1997 to Jason Nicholson last month, many of these 12 fighters were strong boxers, but none could last more than four rounds against him. He is currently ranked first among the contenders for the WBC light heavyweight semifinals. Richard drew a tough lot.
"His technique is very comprehensive. Whether on offense or defense, he performs excellently. He excels at close to mid-range combinations, his style is smooth, and he punches quickly. He's left-handed, and his left hook is very powerful. In his professional matches, seven opponents fell to his left hook. I think I've met a very strong opponent," Richard shrugged.
Alvin nodded, "Based on current statistics, Vasily's record looks better than Roy Jones Jr. in his early years. The boxing world holds him in high regard, believing his potential is not inferior to Roy Jones Jr. Although your performance in the first round was also good, you're too young and lack impressive achievements in amateur matches. Everyone thinks Vasily has a better chance of winning."
"It doesn't matter. The stronger the opponent, the more interesting the match," Richard laughed.
Alvin shook his head, "Don't be too confident. Vasily is not like your previous opponents; he is stronger than Montell and Anthony. In terms of defense, offense, and punching power, he's on par with you. Compared to him, you have almost no advantage.
You have two choices now: first, give up the match. According to the rules, fighters can quit midway, which won't affect your professional record. You can wait another two years, gain more experience, and accumulate strength. This is the safest approach.
The second is to tough it out and fight. Only by fighting with masters can you improve faster. What do you think?"
Richard smiled lightly, "Giving up is not an option. Vasily is very strong, but I am not weak either. His punches are powerful, but I am fast, have strong resistance, and my punching power is not inferior to top heavyweight boxers. I am ready to fight him head-on."
Alvin was silent for a moment, stroking his chin, "It's good that you dare to challenge, but you are too sharp. You've won too much along the way, and if you lose this time, I'm afraid it will be a severe setback. So, to be safe, I think the first option is more appropriate. Do you want to reconsider?"
"No need to reconsider. Once you choose to fight, you shouldn't hesitate. The brave wins when paths cross. The braver you are, the more likely you are to win," Richard said, clenching his fist.
"The brave wins when paths cross?" Alvin murmured, "Who did you hear that from? It seems quite reasonable."
Richard smiled, "What we should consider now is how to defeat the opponent."
"Alright, let's analyze Vasily's technical characteristics. His left hook is similar to Anthony Taver's, but one thing, his left hook is out in the open and straightforward. This alone makes him stronger than Anthony. It also means his left hook is certainly more fierce and harder to block. So you must strengthen your defensive training," Alvin took out a pen and paper and began analyzing the opponent, formulating a targeted training plan.
Richard sat opposite, listening attentively. Alvin had been in the boxing world for over forty years, never leaving. His vision and tactical thinking were stronger than many famous coaches. Having a good coach was also Richard's advantage.
"Woo woo woo~" As they were discussing, a crying sound suddenly came from outside. Richard and Alvin paused their discussion and went out together.
"Woo woo~ Coach Alvin, Paul helped Norman cheat!" Jim said, wiping his tears.
"What happened?" Alvin asked.
"I just fought Norman for three rounds. I scored 18 points, and Norman only 12. But Paul said Norman won," Jim said dissatisfied.
"Paul, is that true?" Alvin asked with a stern face.
Paul grinned, "This guy is right about the score, but he hit Norman below the belt in the last round. Look at Norman, still lying on the ring, clutching his belly and howling."
"Jim, did you hit him below?" Richard laughed.
Jim shook his head, "I don't know. He's taller, so hitting his belly was more convenient. The last punch hit his lower belly, not below."
"Hitting the lower belly is also a foul. In matches, you can't attack below the belt. Hitting his lower belly counts as a foul too."
"Is that so?" Jim scratched his head.
"Ah, it hurts!" Norman, lying on the ring, cried out.
Richard went up to the ring and looked at him. This guy was beaten pretty badly, with a messy hairstyle and several bruises on his face.
"Jim, impressive!" Richard laughed.
"Hehe, he's too weak, no challenge at all," Jim laughed.
"Alvin, what do you think?" Paul asked.
"Ah, it hurts so much," Norman screamed loudly.
Alvin shook his head, "Since Jim fouled, Norman wins."
"Yay!" Norman immediately stopped hurting and jumped up from the ground, "I can finally stay. Thank you, Alvin. Thank you, Paul. Thank you, Jim. You hit hard. Thanks, everyone, for voting. And Richard, you always give bad ideas, you're such a jerk!"
"Haha, don't rush to thank me. Alvin mentioned two conditions before. Winning against Jim is just one," Richard reminded with a smile.
"What? There's another?" Norman frowned, "Don't tell me I have to fight you. If so, just kill me."
"The second condition," Alvin pointed to the youth park outside, "For a boxer, physical fitness is crucial. You are too weak, and your willpower is not firm. You must strengthen your training. Three months later, on the ring road outside the youth park, you need to complete a lap within an hour. Pass, and you stay. Fail, and you leave."
"One hour to complete that ring road?!" Norman's eyes widened, "Alvin, if you want to kick me out, just say so. No need to be so indirect. Driving around that ring road takes half an hour. How can anyone run it in an hour?"
"Haha, Richard completed it in 32 minutes, and I did it in 41 minutes. An hour is plenty," Paul laughed.
"You, you guys, can I compare with you? How can I run it in an hour? Alvin, how about two hours?" Norman bargained.
Alvin shook his head and walked back into the office.
"Oh~fuck, it's just a small training gym. Who cares? Other gyms beg me, but I don't go. You guys set conditions for me. Forget it! I won't play with you anymore," Norman waved his hand and walked out of the gym.
Richard shook his head, "Don't you want to avenge me?"
"Hmph, next time I'll just run you over with my car!" Norman waved his fist and left. Soon, the roar of a sports car sounded outside.
Richard shook his head and returned to the office to continue discussing tactics.
Status Power Mingguan
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Power 
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