Before stepping onto the stage, Link had repeatedly asked himself if he could have beaten Lorenzo Aragon before the Golden Gloves. The answer was no.
Back then, even though he had a wealth of competition experience, his physical condition and boxing skills were far inferior to Aragon's.
According to his current rate of growth, the gap in physical condition between himself and Aragon was about two years.
Link also wondered if he could defeat Aragon in the finals of the Golden Gloves. The answer was still no.
Aragon was far more formidable than Andrea Berto, having won a world championship in boxing and a silver medal in the 69 kg category at the Olympics. He was an exceptionally outstanding boxer, much stronger than someone who had only resumed training two months ago.
Facing him in the Golden Gloves, defeat was inevitable.
But now, Link was filled with confidence about defeating Aragon, a confidence that wasn't delusional or metaphysical, but a true feeling.