Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 904 - 642: One Million Bet_2

Moreover, Link not only performed excellently in the ring, but his behavior off the ring also pleasantly surprised him.

Having worked in the boxing ring for over ten years, he had seen all kinds of boxers. Most of them were strong in body but simple in mind. Many boxers picked up bad habits after becoming famous—things like drug abuse, excessive drinking, gambling, wild parties, and even brawling.

However, in private, Link maintained great discipline. He didn't drink or use drugs, trained daily, kept a healthy routine of early to bed and early to rise, and lived a very healthy lifestyle. He was also a singer, could play the guitar, liked to read, and had a very good personality as well.

Over the past period, he had gotten along with Link very well—there had never been any disagreements.

But today, something gave him some cause for concern.

Link, having seen that *Boxing Ring* magazine underestimated him, made a bold declaration to bet with *Boxing Ring* magazine, vowing to take down all opponents, including Hopkins, within one round.

This showed that, after racking up 10 consecutive victories, Link was becoming arrogant and overconfident, thinking no one in the world could match him.

If Link kept this attitude and overlooked everyone, he might face failure in the upcoming matches. Such a loss could also affect his mindset, and in that scenario, who knew if he would ever recover.

If that were the case, then Top Rank's investment in him would be wasted, and his own job would be affected as well.

Shawn Gibbons sighed, then picked up the *Boxing Ring* magazine on the desk and headed upstairs to Bob Arum's office.

——

Knock, knock!

Hearing Bob shout "Come in," Shawn Gibbons pushed open the door. He saw Bob Arum sitting on the sofa, smoking a cigar. Across from him sat De La Hoya, who had recently been discharged from the hospital. The two seemed to be discussing something.

"Hey, Shawn, I heard you signed a terrific boxer. Ten fights, ten wins, all within 30 seconds by KO. Where's this guy? Bring him here for a chat sometime."

Hoyle called out excitedly.

"Link went back to Huaxia after the match for training. He has a few fights scheduled in the United States next year. When the time comes, you two can catch up," Shawn Gibbons replied.

Hoyle nodded and turned to Bob Arum. "I've heard about that Link guy too. He won 3 golds and 1 silver in the Olympics and became the champion at the 69kg rank. He's indeed a great boxer. If I hadn't been busy preparing for my match with Hopkins back then, I'd have gone to Athens to sign him myself."

"You wouldn't have succeeded," Bob Arum said, shaking his head, then looked at Shawn Gibbons. "What's up?"

"It's about Link," Shawn Gibbons said, glancing at Hoyle, unsure if he should proceed in his presence.

Hoyle stretched lazily, showing no intention of leaving.

"It's fine. Go ahead," Bob Arum said.

Shawn Gibbons opened the article in *Boxing Ring* magazine and began explaining Link's million-dollar wager with the publication.

Poof!

Hoyle was drinking coffee when he heard about Link's boast to KO every middleweight boxer in the Western boxing ring, including him and the seemingly unbeatable Hopkins, all within one round.

"Is this guy serious? He's betting a million US dollars that he can KO me and Hopkins in one round? Is he insane?"

Hoyle asked, wiping the coffee off his lips.

Shawn Gibbons shrugged and looked at Bob Arum. "I also advised Link to be cautious in his matches and not to be too reckless. But he said this move would gain media attention and that you'd likely support his decision."

Bob Arum touched his chin, pondered for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter. Pointing at Shawn Gibbons, he said, "Do as Link suggests. Not only should we follow his plan, but we should also heavily publicize this event. Let every media outlet in the world report on Link's bet with *Boxing Ring*. The more noise we make, the better."

Shawn Gibbons frowned. "Bob, while Link is talented, asking him to KO Hoyle and Hopkins within one round is going to be tough."

"Tough? It's impossible," Hoyle snapped, his face sour. Since his debut in 1992, he had won over ten world championship titles across six weight classes. Even though he had lost to Trinidad, Shane Mosley, and Hopkins at different times, he had been ranked in the top ten of the *Boxing Ring* P4P (pound-for-pound) rankings for eight consecutive years.

There wasn't a soul in the boxing world who dared to question his strength.

Yet today, he was being underestimated by a rookie from halfway across the globe.

It was infuriating.

If not for the injuries he was still recovering from, he would have wanted to step into the ring with that Link guy right now.

"Shawn, you're a boxing promoter. Your job is to think about how to promote Link in the shortest time, using the most efficient and cost-effective methods, to make him a boxing star. Get the media to report on his matches. Get fans to willingly buy tickets to his fights. Get viewers to pay for his live broadcasts. And make sure the company, you, and Link all make money.

Think about it carefully. If we now publish Link's statement in the *New York Times*, *Los Angeles Times*, and *Boxing Ring* magazine—saying that Link plans to KO every middleweight boxer in the world, including Hoyle and Hopkins, within one round—don't you think this story will attract media and fan attention?"

"I guarantee it will. Hoyle and Hopkins are two of the most famous boxers in the current boxing ring. They have countless fans. Meanwhile, Link, as a Huaxia native with three Olympic world championships and a professional record of 10 fights, 10 wins, all by KO, already has decent popularity in the boxing ring."