"Continue the match!" On the boxing ring, the referee raised two fingers, indicating that Vasily had stood up when he counted to 2 from 10. Standing up within ten seconds did not count as a "KO", and the match could continue.
"Protest! The referee's count was not timely." Alvin protested to the judges' table from below the stage.
When Vasily fell just now, the referee obviously didn't react and was stunned for a few seconds before running over to count, so the time Vasily lay on the ground definitely exceeded 10 seconds.
The three judges discussed for a while and considered the count valid, and the match continued.
Alvin continued to protest.
The judges' table discussed again, and finally rejected his protest. Vasily could still stand up, indicating that he had not lost his fighting ability.
If it were an amateur match, the referee might stop the match.
In professional matches, there are more commercial elements, so the audience and the match effect are the priority. Minor mistakes are acceptable.
For example, in the 1990 match between Tyson and James Douglas, in the 8th round, Tyson knocked down Douglas with an uppercut, and the referee started counting for Douglas.
It was probably around the 9th second that Douglas started to stand up, and by the time he stood up, it was already 12 seconds, exceeding the 10-second limit. In the end, the match continued.
Tyson lost the match, suffering the first defeat of his professional career. This delayed count also became one of the controversial topics of that match.
"Unfair, how can this be?" Paul and many others who bet on Richard to win shouted together, demanding the referee to re-judge.
"It's useless, the referee's decision is final at the match," Alvin shook his head. In the boxing world, the referee has great power. Two out of three judges agreeing can decide the outcome of a match.
Therefore, in professional matches, there are often cases of cheating and bribery. The less transparent the event, the more serious the cheating.
"Richard, can you still fight?" Alvin shouted.
Richard waved his fist and walked unsteadily to the center of the ring.
There was only one minute left in the match, and his points were currently much lower than Vasily's.
If he couldn't completely KO Vasily before the end, making him unable to get up for 10 seconds, then the final result would be Vasily winning by points, and all his previous efforts would be in vain.
How should he fight this time?
"Unbelievable, Vasily actually stood up," Schiller Duva exclaimed, holding his binoculars.
"Vasily's ability to withstand blows is outstanding, and his physical fitness is also excellent," Eddie Hearn smiled. Seeing Vasily's tenacity, he felt even more that this person had potential.
"Maybe Richard has no strength left, and his punches lack power, so he couldn't successfully KO Vasily," Al Haymon said.
"What a pity, he was so close to success," someone sighed.
"Haha, it doesn't matter. In this match, no matter the outcome, both of them have won!" the old man, Bernard Parker, laughed.
"Yes!" Everyone nodded silently. From the 12 rounds of the match, both Richard and Vasily showed great potential.
Richard's ability to control the whole game, his strong stamina, abnormal speed, and amazing explosive power all left a deep impression on people.
Vasily's powerful offensive ability, strong resistance to blows, and superb skills also left a deep impression on people.
These two people jointly presented a high-quality match. After the match, they would definitely be sought after by boxing fans and become boxing stars.
"Guess which of them can stand until the end?" Schiller Duva asked.
"It's hard to say. Vasily was hit hard and is a bit unsteady. Richard, after his outburst, has no strength left and is walking unsteadily."
"Haha~ Stop saying Richard is swaying. That guy has been swaying from the fourth round to the twelfth round, and he hasn't fallen yet. You don't really think he has no strength left, do you?" Al Haymon laughed.
"Hahaha~" The people next to him laughed.
"This time is different," Schiller Duva said, looking at the ring with his binoculars. "Just now, when Vasily hadn't stood up yet, Richard almost fell off the stage. He couldn't still be acting at that time."
"That makes sense. It's hard to say who will win or lose this time. Look, they're about to start."
Everyone looked at the boxing ring together.
"Richard, go for it!"
"Vasily, go for it!"
At this time, everyone in the audience shouted loudly.
The next match was not only about the victory or defeat of the two, but also related to the bets of many people. Everyone shouted loudly together, the sound was deafening, almost overturning the casino.
"Box!"
The referee waved his arm down.
Richard faced Vasily, raising his fists.
Vasily looked at him and also raised his fists.
Richard took a step back, and Vasily also took a step back at the same time. Both of their bodies were swaying, as if they could fall at any moment.
"Kill!" Richard suddenly rushed forward, roared, and swung his fist, hitting Vasily's face hard.
At this moment, Vasily did the same thing as him, rushing forward, roaring, and punching at him.
The two punched at the same time, one from the left and one from the right. Richard used a right jab, and Vasily used a left hook, both of which were their signature moves.
Facing the attack, both sides had two choices at this time, one was to give up the attack, dodge or defend, and the other was...
Bang!
Bang!
Neither of them dodged, they chose to exchange punches, facing the opponent's ultimate move head-on.
"Whoa~"
There was a burst of exclamation from the scene. No one expected that both sides would use such an intense way to complete the final performance.
The two clashed head-on, both hit on the side, and fell to the boxing ring together, even their falling postures were similar.
Thump! Thump!
For a moment, there was silence, and everyone lost their voices, quietly watching the boxing ring.
"10, 9, 8..."
The referee crouched between the two and began to count. Neither of them moved.
"Richard, get up quickly!"
"Vasily, stand up!"
Many people shouted loudly. At this time, whoever stood up would be the final winner.
"7, 6, 5..."
The referee continued to count, and neither of them moved.
"Could it be a draw?" Schiller Duva and the others laughed.
"A draw? It would be best if it's a draw!" The people who bet on a draw were full of anticipation.
"Richard, get up!" Anthony, Norman, Mike, and Robert shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Richard, stand up!" Paul, Jim, and Susan shouted from below the stage.
"Richard, get up quickly, you're about to win!" Bundchen ran to the stage and shouted loudly.
"5, 4, 3..."
Boom!
Suddenly, an arm was raised high, and then a person slowly stood up, raising his fist high towards the audience around the stage.
"Whoa~"
"He stood up!"
"Great, amazing!"
Clap clap clap clap~
A tsunami-like applause erupted from the scene.
"Champion Richard!" Paul shouted loudly.
"Champion Richard!"
Many people followed and shouted together.
"Champion Richard!"
The entire audience of over 10,000 people shouted loudly.
On the boxing ring, Richard looked at everyone in the audience, raising his arms high.
---
"Hello, Mr. Brad. I'm Charlie, a reporter from the 'American Express'. Congratulations on winning the match and becoming the WBC International Champion. How are you feeling now?"
"Thank you! Not bad!"
After the match, Richard accepted interviews from several media outlets on the boxing ring.
"Are you surprised by this result?" the reporter continued to ask.
"Not surprised, I knew I could win," Richard said.
"Mr. Brad, I'm a reporter from the 'New Jersey News'. You said you were confident in defeating Vasily before the match?" another reporter asked.
"Yes, you understood correctly," Richard said.
"As far as we know, Vasily's overall strength is stronger than yours, and his stats are also better than yours. Facing a stronger opponent than you, why do you have such confidence?" the reporter continued to ask.
"Vasily is a great boxer, his stats are better than mine, and he fights very well. But I defeated him, which means I'm stronger than him," Richard said.
"Could it be luck? If you hadn't stood up, the result would be different," the reporter said.
"Haha, you're right. If I couldn't stand up, the match would end in a draw. But I stood up, which means I'm stronger. As for luck, strong people never lack luck," Richard waved his hand and walked towards the boxing ring. Seeing a group of reporters following him, he introduced Alvin and then put his arm around Bundchen, saying,
"Let me introduce you, this is my girlfriend, Ms. Gisele Bundchen. I want to thank her here.
In the last round, if she hadn't awakened me with love and encouraged me with love, I might not have been able to stand up and win the match. So, honey, thank you!"
Bundchen smiled at the camera and then stepped aside.
"Mr. Brad, you just said that you were able to stand up because of your strength. Why are you thanking Ms. Bundchen again?" A reporter raised his hand and asked loudly.
Richard glanced at him with displeasure. "Can't you tell I'm trying to please my girlfriend?"
"Hahaha~"
There was a burst of laughter from the scene.
"Mr. Brad, I'm a reporter from 'Sports Weekly'. Before the match, you said no one could defeat you, not Vasily, not even Roy Jones. Are you declaring war on him?" a reporter shouted.
"Do I still need to declare war? I came to participate in the WBC boxing championship challenge with only one goal, to win the championship belt. Hasn't the war already begun?"
"Are you confident in defeating Roy Jones?"
"Of course!"
Richard waved his hand and walked out of the crowd.
"Everyone, if you have any questions, come back tomorrow for an interview!" Anthony blocked the crowd and quickly caught up with Richard. "Was what you just said too arrogant?"
"It's okay, I'm young, what's wrong with being a little arrogant? What do you think, honey?" Richard laughed.
"Are you hyping yourself up?" Bundchen laughed.
"Haha, you're right. Anthony, can't you tell? Your business skills still have a long way to go." Richard smiled and walked into the passage with his arm around Bundchen.
"This guy..." Anthony shook his head.
(End of chapter)