Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 908 - 643: Investment and Speculation_3

There's plenty of news value in his whereabouts alone.

And then there's the fact that he chose to make a wager with the boxing world's most famous magazine, "Boxing Ring," for an amount of 1 million US Dollars, with the loser donating to the Red Cross.

This kind of wager carries a certain curiosity factor and aligns perfectly with essential elements for news coverage.

But the most attention-grabbing detail in the entire story is Link's public declaration: he's challenging all Middleweight boxers to be knocked out by him in a single round, including Golden Boy Hoyle, Bernard Hopkins, holder of the Golden Belts for four major Middleweight organizations, and the undefeated North American Boxing King Jermain Taylor.

There's no doubt that all of these individuals are forces to be reckoned with.

And yet, Link's boast of knocking all of them out in one round is clearly dismissive, a blatant show of disrespect, as if he doesn't even regard them as worthy opponents.

Once the news broke, it sparked heated debates among boxing circles and fans worldwide.

Everyone was questioning whether Link was bluffing. How could a rookie boxer who's just transitioned to the professional scene have the audacity to make such arrogant claims? Was he losing his grip, or did he genuinely have the confidence to back it up?

Considering Link's Olympic record—three gold medals and one silver—and the fact that he won all ten of his initial professional bouts by knocking out his opponents in the first round, people acknowledged that Link had undeniable skill. But knocking out everyone in a single round? That sounded farfetched.

The general consensus was that Link was running his mouth, seeking attention.

Just a day later, Hopkins, Hoyle, and others responded strongly to Link's public challenge during media interviews.

Middleweight Kingpin Bernard Hopkins told a reporter for "USA Today" that Link was just a lucky kid. In his early professional matches, he hadn't faced any truly skilled opponents, which made him overconfident, mistakenly thinking he was invincible.

If Link were to somehow qualify to challenge him for the title of World Boxing Champion, Hopkins promised he would knock him out within three rounds. However, he doubted Link could even earn the qualification to step into the ring with him.

The "USA Today" journalist asked, since Link claimed he would knock Hopkins out in one round while Hopkins estimated it would take three rounds to knock out Link, did this signify a lack of confidence?

Hopkins flashed his gleaming white teeth and laughed heartily, denying any lack of confidence.

He stated that he had watched Link's fight footage and found countless ways to crack his defenses and counter his signature moves. Hopkins explained that his estimate of three rounds was a calculated and deliberate prediction, in contrast to Link's reckless, unsubstantiated claim.

Meanwhile, a "American Express" reporter cornered Hoyle outside Muscle Beach Boxing Gym and asked how he felt about Link's long-distance provocation.

Hoyle calmly replied that the truly skilled boxers in the sport usually remained humble and avoided making outlandish statements. Link's behavior, in his view, was solely to stir up attention.

The reporter then asked Hoyle how many rounds he thought he could last against Link.

Hoyle appeared irritated by the phrasing, responding that the real question should be how many rounds Link could last against him.

The reporter then asked how many rounds Hoyle expected it would take to defeat Link.

Hoyle touched his ribs thoughtfully, replying that before his injury, he could finish off Link in no more than two rounds. Post-injury, as long as his condition didn't flare up again, three rounds should suffice to beat Link.

A reporter from "Business Daily" interviewed Jermain Taylor, who was training in Las Vegas.

Taylor, a bronze medalist from the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the Super Welterweight division, turned professional in 2001 and currently held an undefeated record of 21 wins. Just earlier this year, he had claimed the WBA International Boxing King title and was considered one of the most formidable boxers in the Middleweight division.

When asked about Link's challenge, Taylor sneered and said that if Link dared come to the United States to compete, he'd humiliate him in the ring.

The reporter then questioned Taylor's confidence—how many rounds would he need to defeat Link?

Taylor responded emphatically, asserting 100% confidence in his victory, with the goal to defeat Link in as few rounds as possible.

On the other side of the country, a "Los Angeles Times" reporter crossed paths with Tyson while he was filming a movie in Hollywood. The reporter asked Tyson if he had seen the news of Link openly challenging all Middleweight boxers and what he thought of it.

Tyson said he had watched Link's fight footage and believed Link to be a boxer of extraordinary skill. His punching power, movement speed, offensive and defensive techniques were all at the elite level in professional boxing. In the P4P (Pound-for-Pound) rankings, Tyson felt Link deserved to be in the top five.

Tyson commented that the lack of recognition for Link currently stemmed from the fact that he hadn't yet stepped into the European or American boxing scene.

If Link were to take on Hopkins, Hoyle, and others, Tyson stated that the likelihood of Link prevailing was high. But as for knocking them out in the first round? That would depend on Link's performance during the fight. If his strategy and tactics were perfect, it wasn't entirely impossible.

The reporter then asked Tyson about his movie shoot and whether he was planning to retire from boxing to pursue acting.

Tyson clarified that filming was just a side gig and that he intended to continue his boxing career, aiming to reclaim the title of Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

The reporter wished him good luck.

In addition to the figures mentioned above, top-tier promotional companies facilitated interviews with multiple boxing stars, asking for their opinions on Link's challenge.

After these interviews were completed, the media published the news coverage in bulk.

The story garnered significant attention across the European-American sports scene and even spilled into broader social discussions.

Back in August during the Athens Olympics, everyone knew Huaxia had produced a sports star like Link, but nobody was very familiar with him.

Now, after all this media frenzy, Link's name and image were gaining recognition in Europe and America. Many people now knew about Link—a boastful but seemingly competent boxer from the ancient land of Huaxia.

Link's fame was beginning to expand beyond Asia, spreading into Europe and America.

After several days of media hype, the "Boxing Ring" magazine featured the story on the front page of its latest issue and agreed to the terms of Link's wager—the loser would donate 1 million US Dollars to the International Red Cross.

"1 million US Dollars? That's more than 7 million RMB. Just like that? Link is seriously loaded?"

At the Sports University training ground, Jiang Weixing praised as he read the newspaper aloud.

"Of course. The paper says Link earns from albums, endorsements, and some sort of signing bonuses. His net worth is over 200 million RMB. Over 7 million is just pocket change to him."

Bao Xiaohu, looking at Link training on the track field, commented.

"That's insane. Link's a billionaire? He's only 19."

Jiang Weixing exclaimed in disbelief with his mouth wide open.

"What's crazy about that? Before the Olympics, would you have believed he'd win three Olympic Gold Medals—and even a silver in the javelin? I wouldn't have believed it if you beat me to death, but it turned out to be true."

Bao Xiaohu shrugged his plump shoulders casually.

Jiang Weixing watched Link's figure, still unable to quite grasp the reality of it all. They had shared the same dorm for over two years, starting as everyday students, but now Link had quietly transformed into a world champion and billionaire.

It felt like a dream.

"Stop envying him and get to training. Aim for a good result at next year's sports meet."

Chang Yijun, standing up, advised.

"Training now? I feel like I'm about to collapse."

Jiang Weixing rubbed his sore arm.

The group had been training alongside Link, but while they needed frequent breaks after half an hour's effort, Link could train non-stop, as if fatigue and injury didn't exist for him.

They admired Link's resilience to no end.

"Excuse me, seniors, do you happen to know where Link is?"

As the trio prepared to resume training, they heard a voice from behind them. Turning around, they saw a tall, elegant woman with a university badge pinned to her chest and a camera slung over her shoulder.

Bao Xiaohu glanced at her and muttered to himself how Link had such luck with women. With a grin, he asked, "Miss, what do you need Link for?"

"My name is Li Shi, a host with 'Jing University News.' I'd like to interview Link about the recent headlines."

She replied politely, holding a notebook.

"Link's over there, still training."

Chang Yijun pointed in Link's direction.

The woman's eyes sparkled as she spotted Link. She thanked Chang Yijun and started toward Link, pulling out her camera along the way.

"Miss, watch out! Don't stay near the throwing zone!"

Bao Xiaohu shouted after her.

"Got it, thanks seniors!"

The woman called back, heading straight toward Link.

Bao Xiaohu rubbed his chin while staring after her, then let out a sigh. "If only I were Link."

Chang Yijun shook his head and walked back to the training field.