章 121: ### Chapter 120: Master of Deception
#### Following the WBC Light Heavyweight Title Match, Many Media Outlets Covered the Event
Mainstream media primarily reported on Richard Brad's victory over Roy Jones to claim the WBC Light Heavyweight Championship.
**Los Angeles Times** described him as a handsome white boxer and "also an excellent actor."
**New York Post** detailed his background and upbringing, calling him a champion who rose from the streets, describing his journey as "inspirational and astonishing," and a "representation of the American Dream."
**Wall Street Journal** mentioned the prize money for the match, $2 million, with Richard taking $1.5 million after winning in less than three minutes, stating, "Another millionaire is born in the boxing world. He's only twenty years old, and his name is Richard Brad."
Compared to mainstream media's factual reporting, tabloids and sports newspapers focused more on the controversy of the match's outcome.
Richard, a newcomer to the boxing world, started his professional career in December last year, participating in just 13 matches within a year.
In contrast, Roy Jones, a seasoned veteran and 1988 Olympic silver medalist, fought in 39 matches across middleweight to light heavyweight divisions, winning all 39. He was a reigning champion in multiple weight classes and was once considered one of the world's best boxers.
However, this well-established boxer was knocked out by a newcomer in one round during the WBC Light Heavyweight Finals, a result that seemed unbelievable.
Many newspapers analyzed Roy Jones's defeat:
**Sports Weekly** claimed Roy Jones had a cold before the match and was in poor condition, which led to his loss. Otherwise, with his strength, he should have lasted more than one round.
**Boxing Fans** analyzed that Roy Jones's failure was mainly due to underestimating his opponent and falling into Richard's trap.
Before the match, there were reports that Richard Brad had a severe right leg injury and might not be able to compete. There were even rumors he was bitten by a shark or had to amputate his leg. These exaggerated reports fooled even the usually well-informed bookmakers, who raised his odds.
The bookmakers' actions indirectly confirmed the rumors, leading people to believe Richard was seriously injured.
Thus, Roy Jones was fooled and underestimated Richard, leading to his hasty attack at the start of the match.
Judging from Richard Brad's previous performances, this was clearly another tactical deception, possibly starting against Vasily.
He intentionally made bold statements before the match, claiming that even Roy Jones Jr. was not his opponent, to provoke the champion while underperforming in the match to deceive his opponent.
Afterward, Roy Jones vowed to finish the fight within three rounds, which seemed impressive but actually fell into Richard Brad's trap.
Subsequently, Richard Brad accepted the challenge, and the trap was fully set.
Before the match, Richard Brad again implemented deception.
He released information about his right leg injury, exaggeratedly claiming he was bitten by a shark.
This completely insulted people's intelligence. How could someone keep their leg after being bitten by a shark?
Yet many people believed it, including boxing fans, Roy Jones Jr., bookmakers, and even many of this magazine's editors.
"In summary, Mr. Richard Brad is a strategic master of deception, capable of planning and deceiving everyone for a match six months in advance. Such talent is wasted only in boxing. Hehehe, so Richard, your injury was fake, and you pretended to deceive people? Even we were fooled?"
In a coffee shop on Wall Street, Anthony put down the newspaper, expressing his dissatisfaction.
"Stop joking. You've seen my injury; how could it be fake?"
Richard put down his cup, shaking his head.
"You could have self-inflicted it. There's a strategy for that."
"No, I could have beaten Roy Jones without self-harm. Why would I do that? Am I crazy? These writers love to exaggerate, turning a clean match into a conspiracy."
Richard shook his head.
"Haha, look at this, Tyson is calling you out, asking if you can fight a pure match without tricks."
Anthony read the newspaper, laughing.
"That guy is riding my coattails again. Tell the media I want to fight him and see if he dares to accept."
"Okay, also Roy Jones admitted in an interview that he underestimated you, thinking it was an impossible match to lose. He said you're not a real boxer."
Anthony laughed.
"Hmph, in the first round, I dominated him. Didn't he feel my power?"
Richard complained, holding the newspaper.
"Haha, it's normal. If I were him, I'd be upset too. Jones's strength is on par with yours, yet he lost so badly in his signature move. Who wouldn't be upset?"
Anthony laughed.
"Whatever, if he's not convinced, we can fight again. WBC champion versus WBA champion, I can make more money."
"Indeed, that's great."
Anthony checked his watch, "Hey, it's 1 o'clock. Where's Ellie?"
"Look, she's here."
Just then, a short-haired girl walked in, their financial manager Ellie Adler. She wore a blue suit, had exquisite makeup, and carried shopping bags.
Beside her was a plump woman in her twenties, dressed stylishly.
Seeing this person, Anthony suddenly hid behind the newspaper.
"What's wrong?"
Richard asked, puzzled.
"Oh, nothing!"
Anthony touched his cheek, then stood up, smiling brightly.
"Hey, Richard, sorry we're late."
Ellie Adler said as she walked over.
"No problem, we just arrived."
Richard stood up.
"Richard, let me introduce you to Marshall. I hope you don't mind that she joined us."
Ellie Adler smiled.
"I don't mind. Nice to meet you, Marshall!"
Richard extended his hand, smiling.
"Nice to meet you, Richard!"
Marshall smiled warmly and gracefully.
Richard couldn't understand how she could have liked Anthony.
"Hey, Anthony, don't you recognize Marshall?"
Ellie Adler smiled.
"Of course, I do. Hi, Marshall, you look more beautiful. How have you been?"
Anthony extended his hand, smiling warmly.
"Not bad."
Marshall smiled, "Ellie said you've gained a lot of weight. I almost didn't recognize you."
"Well, well."
Anthony started sweating.
"Haha, Anthony, no need to be nervous. You two can chat over there. Richard and I have work to discuss."
"Alright!"
Marshall smiled and moved to a booth, with Anthony following.
---
"Ellie, who pursued whom?"
Richard asked curiously.
"Anthony confessed to Marshall."
Ellie smiled.
"Marshall agreed?"
"Yes, back in school, Anthony wasn't as fat, just slightly chubby. He was fair, handsome, genuine, had good grades, and was humorous."
"Anthony had so many good qualities?"
Richard had known Anthony since they were teenagers and never thought he was that impressive.
"Yes, he was popular with girls in school, but now he's gotten greasy."
Ellie shrugged.
"Why did they break up? Anthony said he cheated, but Marshall doesn't seem to blame him."
"It was a misunderstanding."
Ellie frowned, "It was like a movie. Marshall had a fiancé, Jack, her father's business partner's son. Jack transferred to New York University in his junior year to develop a relationship with Marshall and marry her after graduation, making Anthony an obstacle."
"What did he do to Anthony?"
Richard was intrigued.
"Jack set him up, got Anthony drunk, and had him sleep with another close girl, then had Marshall catch them. They broke up."
"Sounds like a movie."
Richard shook his head, feeling sorry for Anthony. "Did Marshall marry Jack?"
"No, she married another suitor. Later, at a party, Jack admitted to Marshall, but it was too late."
Ellie sighed, looking at the blushing Anthony, "Poor guy. He still doesn't know he was set up."
Richard glanced over, unsure what to say. It was sad but long over.
Fortunately, Anthony was doing well now, having made a lot from his last bet and his agency. He was a small millionaire, doing better than most classmates.
"Richard, these are the reports for the last two months."
Ellie Adler handed over two folders.
"How are the recent stock returns?"
Richard asked, reviewing the reports.
"Average. Your investment plan is too conservative. If you let me handle it entirely, I could double your assets in six months."
Ellie was a bit resentful.
Richard smirked. Since May, he handed Ellie $700,000 for management, half in Amazon stocks and the other half for her to invest.
His amateur opinions led Ellie to often complain, calling him conservative and ignorant.
Richard countered, sticking to his plan of splitting the funds, resulting in $900,000 now, earning about $100,000 in six months.
"Hey, Richard, are you listening?"
Ellie asked, arms crossed.
"Yes, Ellie, I'm very satisfied with your performance."
"Satisfied with this?"
Ellie spread her hands, "I have five accounts, one over ten million, two at five million, one at three million, and yours. In six months, all others earned over a million, only yours made about a hundred thousand. If you let me fully handle it, I guarantee your account will hit $1.5 million in a year."
"No, I won another $100,000 from my last match. I'll continue with our agreement, half in Amazon and the other half for you to manage. Okay?"
Richard smiled.
"Richard, you're so stubborn."
Ellie sighed.
"I just don't like taking risks. You said Bezos is capable, and Amazon is stable. I trust you, isn't that enough?"
Richard shrugged.
"Alright, since you trust him so much, I'll introduce you to him."
Ellie smiled.
"That's a good idea. Thanks in advance."
Richard smiled.
---
"What's wrong, feeling reluctant?"
It was around 4 PM, outside a restaurant, and Richard got into the car.
In the seat next to him, Anthony was staring blankly in the direction where Marshall had left.
"No, I was just thinking..."
Anthony paused and then said with a slight smile, "What would it be like if we hadn't broken up? Maybe we would be married now, maybe with a two or three-year-old child. Maybe I would be a successful white-collar worker, a young millionaire, haha."
"Don't be sad."
"Haha, I'm not sad. It's just imagination. In reality, even if we hadn't broken up then, we would have split later on.
In our senior year, we had several arguments due to work, and her family didn't agree with us being together. Marshall and I weren't the type to let go of everything and stick together.
So, personality determines fate. Some things were arranged long ago, and no matter how you choose, there won't be much difference."
Anthony shrugged.
"And now, the misunderstanding is cleared up. Have you thought about rekindling the relationship?"
Richard asked with a smile.
"No, she's already married and has kids. It's not possible."
Anthony shook his head.
"Why not? If you still love her, just boldly pursue her, don't worry about other things."
Richard encouraged him, waving his fist.
"She's doing well now. I don't want to disturb her."
Anthony sighed, then suddenly patted his stomach, "Richard, do you think if I start working out now, I can lose weight?"
"You want to work out?"
Richard was surprised. He had been urging Anthony to lose weight and exercise every day before, but it had no effect. Now, this guy was taking the initiative to suggest working out, which was quite rare.
"Hehe, Marshall said I'm too fat and almost didn't recognize me. I want to work hard and train so that the next time I see her, I'll look the same as before."
Anthony clenched his fist and said.
"Haha, go for it!"
Richard patted the chubby guy on the shoulder.
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