Capítulo 99: Chapter 99: The Intercontinental Champion
Linck knocked out Canada's top super middleweight, Jean Pascal, in 42 seconds, achieving his 8th win with 8 KOs, seven of which were within 30 seconds, tying the professional record set by "The Cannon" Shannon Briggs. Briggs had achieved 7 wins within 30 seconds in his career, with his fastest being just 3 seconds.
Although Linck didn't set a new record, his performance left many people stunned.
Jean Pascal, an undefeated boxer, had also defeated opponents within seconds three times during ranking matches, showcasing his formidable strength.
Many believed he could withstand Linck for a while, and even if he couldn't beat Linck, he could last more than 100 seconds. However, under Linck's powerful punches, he only lasted 42 seconds.
The media exclaimed that Linck was unstoppable on his way to becoming the champion.
With this momentum, the WBA Intercontinental Championship match opened, with challenger Linck Baker facing WBA Intercontinental Champion Jermain Taylor.
Jermain Taylor, from Arkansas, dark-skinned, 30 years old, 185 cm tall, with a reach of 189 cm, nicknamed "Bad Intentions." His amateur record was 144 fights with 132 wins, including the 1998 U.S. Amateur Light Middleweight Championship, the 1999 U.S. Golden Gloves Light Middleweight Championship, and a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympics in the Middleweight category.
Turning professional in 2001, Taylor's professional record was 30 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw with 19 KOs. He was a former IBF-WBC-WBO Middleweight Champion. Last year, he moved up to super middleweight, defeating multiple opponents and winning the WBA Intercontinental Title.
Currently ranked third in the WBA Super Middleweight division, just behind Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch, Taylor was known for defeating Bernard Hopkins twice in 2005, forcing Hopkins to move up to super middleweight.
Taylor's primary defeats came in 2007, when he was beaten twice by Ohio's "The Ghost" Kelly Pavlik, losing all his belts and moving up to super middleweight.
Interestingly, earlier this year in February, Hopkins returned to middleweight and defeated Kelly Pavlik in a match.
These three fighters had a triangular relationship of victories over each other.
After studying Jermain Taylor's profile, Linck formulated a plan. Taylor was also a skilled offensive boxer with powerful punches and a flexible fighting style, often using unexpected punches to knock out opponents, earning him the nickname "Bad Intentions."
To deal with such a boxer, Linck decided to pressure him continuously, not giving him a chance to throw unexpected punches, which shouldn't be more difficult than facing Jean Pascal.
"Linck, be cautious. Taylor moved up from middleweight, so he's very fast. To knock him out within 100 seconds, it's best to corner him and not let him run around," Coach Brooks advised before the match.
"I understand!"
Linck nodded, gearing up for the match, passing all inspections, and entering the arena at Madison Square Garden once more.
Today's audience was larger than the last match, about 15,000 people. The seats around the ring were densely packed, even more than for a New York Knicks playoff game.
Serena had mentioned that she and Katherine would bring their families to watch, and Taylor also said she would come, but with so many people, Linck couldn't spot them in the crowd.
"Go, Linck!"
"Anesthetist Linck!"
"Quick Gun Linck!"
"Linck the Demon King!"
The audience shouted various nicknames.
Linck smirked; he preferred to be called Champion Linck.
He jogged up to the ring, where Jermain Taylor, wearing a green and gold belt, was waiting. This WBA Intercontinental Title belt was a step below the World Champion belt.
The World Champion belt's emblem featured a world map, while the Intercontinental Champion belt only had the map of the continents.
"Hey, Linck, want this? You'll have to beat me first," Taylor taunted, tapping the belt with his glove.
Linck shook his head, "My goal is the World Champion belt, not yours. If you're willing to step aside, you can keep it."
"Haha, that's not happening. To be the World Champion, you have to get past me first," Taylor retorted, raising his fists.
"Alright, I'll do my best," Linck replied, biting down on his custom-fitted mouthguard.
In amateur matches, he used standard mouthguards, which were uncomfortable and made speaking difficult. After signing with Dynasty Promotions, he spent $20,000 on three custom-fitted mouthguards, which were more comfortable, provided better protection, and allowed him to speak clearly.
The referee climbed into the ring, read out the rules, and announced the start of the match.
"Boxing!"
The referee stepped back, and Linck raised his fists, staring at his opponent. Taylor was about the same height but had a smaller head, broad shoulders, and powerful arms. His eyes were filled with battle intent.
Linck moved forward to attack, but Taylor struck first with a rapid jab aimed at Linck's guard.
Linck blocked it, but Taylor quickly followed with a left punch to Linck's abdomen.
Linck's muscles contracted, and he bent over. Taylor then threw a fast right hook aimed at Linck's head. Linck dodged and countered with a left hook, which Taylor avoided by stepping back.
In this exchange, Linck seemed to be at a disadvantage.
"Tommy, is Linck losing?" Dino asked nervously.
"How much did you bet?" Coach Brooks inquired.
"All my winnings from last time, with interest. Go, Linck!" Dino shouted.
"Don't worry, Linck will win. He'll be the champion," Morales assured, clenching his fists.
"But I bet on him KO'ing Taylor within 100 seconds. It's already been 50 seconds," Dino wailed, clutching his forehead.
In the ring, Linck, unaware of the time, felt the tension mounting. He pressured Taylor, who kept his distance, sensing Linck's urgency.
"Linck, only 40 seconds left," Dino shouted.
Recalling Brooks' advice, Linck cornered Taylor, who swung at Linck's head but was blocked. Taylor aimed for his body, but Linck ignored it, landing a powerful punch on Taylor's shoulder, sending him reeling into the ropes. Linck followed up with a body blow, making Taylor bend over, exposing his head.
Seizing the opportunity, Linck landed a left hook to Taylor's forehead, sending him crashing down.
"Wow!" The crowd gasped.
"Finally down! How many seconds?" Dino asked Simon.
"81 seconds," Simon replied, checking the clock.
The referee counted to six before Taylor stood, shaking and glaring at Linck.
"Linck, only 10 seconds left," Dino shouted.
The match resumed. Taylor, wary of Linck's power, retreated, guarding his head. Linck, knowing time was short, unleashed a barrage of punches. In five seconds, he landed 12 punches, the 10th hitting Taylor's rib, making him lower his guard. Linck's 11th punch struck Taylor's head, and the 12th sent him crashing into the ropes and collapsing.
"Wow!" The crowd roared.
".5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" The referee counted to ten, and Taylor, unable to rise, signaled Linck's victory.
"Yeah! Linck wins!" Dino cheered, raising his tattooed arms.
"98 seconds! Just under 100," Simon said, wiping his brow.
"Linck is the Intercontinental Champion!" Morales exclaimed.
In the ring, the referee raised Linck's arm, declaring him the winner. Applause and cheers erupted from the audience.
With nine wins, nine KOs, Linck was now the WBA Intercontinental Champion, ranked third in the WBA Super Middleweight division.
As the North American tournament concluded, the South American, European, and Asian/Pacific tournaments also wrapped up.
South American Champion Glen Johnson, European Champion Mikkel Kessler, and Asian/Pacific Champion Tony Dodson emerged. Linck was set to face Dodson in New York, while Kessler would face Johnson in Europe.
Against Dodson, a tough opponent, Linck secured victory in 91 seconds with 82 powerful punches, knocking Dodson down twice before the final knockout.
In Europe, Kessler KO'd Johnson in three rounds, advancing to the WBA Super Middleweight Finals.
The WBA announced the championship match for October 2 in Miami: North American Champion Linck vs. European Champion Mikkel Kessler.
(End of Chapter)
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