Wang Hao felt like his head was about to explode, buzzing as if thousands of bells were ringing in his ears, his head shaking like a huge bronze bell.
The dark-skinned Cuban boxer exploited Wang Hao's defensive gap, moved in, and delivered a fierce hook followed by a quick jab that landed firmly on Wang Hao's chin and left cheek.
Wang Hao's vision blurred, seeing the white-skinned referee raising his hands, ready to count the seconds.
"No! I can't lose like this!"
A resolute voice echoed deep within Wang Hao's heart.
"This is my first time abroad for a professional fight, facing an international opponent. It's only the first round. This is my year of confidence. I can't afford to lose like this!"
"Champions aren't made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside - a desire, a dream, a vision."
Ali's famous words resonated within Wang Hao. They fueled his spirit to continue in professional boxing into his thirties.
"Come on!"
Wang Hao's soul cried out, as if a multitude of voices within him were shouting, granting him unparalleled spiritual strength.
"I won't lose! I can't lose!"
From the depths of his soul surged an unprecedented force. His vision began to clear, the deafening noise subsided.
"Where am I?"
Wang Hao opened his eyes, surprised by what lay before him.
The relaxed sensation in his legs indicated he wasn't defying gravity but lying down comfortably, not on a boxing ring but a soft bed. The pain from his earlier blows on his chin and cheek was gone, replaced by a cool comfort.
"Where... am I?"
Wang Hao sat up abruptly.
No, this isn't just a change in scenery. As Wang Hao rose from the bed, he felt incredibly agile, as light as air. He could almost touch the ceiling with a slight jump.
"This isn't my body!"
Wang Hao recognized the heaviness of his middle-aged body he had lived with for nearly forty years. This newfound lightness was reminiscent of youthful vigor, energy he hadn't felt in years.
To confirm his realization, Wang Hao lifted his shirt, examining his abdomen.
Gone were the signs of middle-aged spread, replaced by smooth, toned skin with unlimited potential.
Raising his hands, Wang Hao noticed no roughness or accumulated scars, just soft, slender palms. He could envision these hands forming into fists, agile and powerful.
"I've... crossed over!?"
A voice echoed in Wang Hao's mind.
"I've returned to my youth!"
This fantastical occurrence, typically found in novels, was now Wang Hao's reality. Excitement surged through every cell of his being.
To reaffirm his new reality and dispel any notion of dreaming, Wang Hao pinched his thigh with all his might.
"Ouch! It hurts!"
Pain shot through his body, confirming the reality of his situation. His fair skin turned red and blue where he pinched it.
"Where am I? Who am I now?"
Certain of his reincarnation, Wang Hao suppressed his excitement and surveyed his surroundings.
Above him hung a 25-watt incandescent bulb, barely two meters from the floor. The wooden bed creaked under him as he moved. A wooden wardrobe and writing desk hinted at the room's age, heirlooms from his parents' marriage.
This was his parents' old home, where they married and raised him until high school. This room, on the second floor, had been Wang Hao's childhood bedroom.
Renewed excitement surged through him as Wang Hao dashed to a wooden closet with a small mirror.
A teenager's face stared back at him from the mirror.
"I..."
Unable to contain his joy, Wang Hao turned to a familiar spot in the room, by the door where a calendar hung.
In the era before mobile phones, daily schedules were marked on pocket-sized tear-off calendars.
May 9, 1990!
The bold red letters on the calendar hit Wang Hao hard.
"I really have been reborn! Ha ha! Truly reborn!"
In his previous life, Wang Hao had known all the trials and regrets of adulthood.
His love for boxing had been ignited by legends like Ali and Tyson, inspiring him even into his thirties. However, entering professional boxing late due to personal reasons, familial obligations, and China's sporting environment, he found himself aging rapidly on the brink of retirement.
Despite his ambitions, his body had betrayed him: stiff movements, declining reaction times, waning physical prowess - signs that it was too late for him to conquer the professional boxing world.
Wang Hao had regretted and lamented this countless times. If given another chance, he vowed to sacrifice everything, break through the barriers, and enter boxing during his prime, fulfilling his dream and bringing glory to Chinese boxing.
Like the Middleweight Four Kings or the Mexican Three Musketeers, he would dominate the ring, defeating world champions one after another like an Asian destroyer.
Despite China's late entry into professional boxing, lacking top-tier coaches and resources, Wang Hao believed in creating opportunities abroad. Whether in Europe, America, or even the former Soviet Union and Cuba, with a youthful body and determination, he could reclaim everything.
He knew the boxing skills of the former Soviet Union surpassed those of the US and UK, exemplified by legends like Lomachenko and Golovkin who had conquered American rings.
"Now, standing at this new starting point, Wang Hao, I will achieve the dreams of my past life, striving for the highest honor in professional boxing and a bright future for Chinese boxing!"
"Haoer! Dinner's ready!"
His mother's voice broke through Wang Hao's thoughts.
"I'm coming!" Wang Hao replied, suppressing the turmoil in his heart.
Descending to the first floor, Wang Hao found his parents waiting at the dining table. His father, Wang Lizhi, read a Chinese sports newspaper while his mother, Zhao Jinfeng, set out chopsticks for the three of them.
Their home was in Dongyue City, capital of East China Province, where Wang Hao and his parents were born and raised. Even before high school, Wang Hao had never ventured beyond East China Province.
Financially, Wang Hao's family was average for the provincial capital. His parents, both teachers at Dongyue Sports School, had careers that mirrored the evolution of sports in China.
Wang Lizhi's dedication to football had yielded minimal career progression, while Zhao Jinfeng's career paralleled the highs of China's women's volleyball team.
After washing up, Wang Hao joined his parents at the table.
The meal was simple: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stewed tofu with cabbage, and steamed white buns - a staple in their pre-"vegetable basket project" era.
Despite its simplicity, Wang Hao savored the meal joyfully.
"Today's Saturday," Wang Lizhi began, "How's your homework coming along?"
"I've done about a third of it. There wasn't much this week. Dad, don't worry, I'll finish it soon."
"That's good. Next year's high school entrance exams are crucial. Study hard, get into Dongyue No. 1 High School, and your university prospects will be bright."
"Dad, I don't plan to go to high school. I want to attend sports school," Wang Hao replied.
Wang Lizhi and Zhao Jinfeng exchanged worried looks.
"Haoer, we work at a sports school. It may seem convenient, but a career in sports isn't easy. Education is important," Zhao Jinfeng said.
"But I love sports! You've always said that passion is the best teacher," Wang Hao argued. "I want to excel in athletics."
"You can apply to a sports specialty junior high and get extra points for the high school entrance exam," Wang Lizhi suggested. "But aim for a key school like Dongyue No. 1. It'll secure your future."
"There are so many athletes in China, but few succeed internationally. Most retire with injuries and delayed education," he continued.
"Can't I go to college through sports school?" Wang Hao asked, his resolve firming.
His parents hesitated.
"Which sport do you want to pursue?" Zhao Jinfeng asked cautiously.
"I want to be a professional boxer!" Wang Hao declared. No longer concealing his aspirations, he prepared to defend his dream.
Exchange glances, his parents, both sports educators, understood the risks of boxing - the most dangerous sport. Professional boxing, even more so.
They chose not to delve into the topic further.
"Oh, by the way," Zhao Jinfeng changed the subject, "I heard a delegation from Vinnytsia, Ukraine is visiting our school soon. Are you involved?"
"Yes, about seven or eight people. The delegation is led by Alimovich Kurishenko from the local sports bureau and Atoli Lomachenko, deputy principal from the local sports school."
"Anatoly Lomachenko!"
The name struck Wang Hao like lightning. His grip on the chopsticks trembled.
Anatoly Lomachenko was the father of Ukrainian prodigy Vasiliy Lomachenko, a boxing genius in Wang Hao's previous life. Vasiliy had achieved unparalleled success in amateur and professional boxing, dominating opponents with finesse and skill.
"And now, Antoly Lomachenko is coming to our school."
"This is a great opportunity!" Wang Hao couldn't contain his excitement.
"Mom, Dad, I'm full. I'll go finish my homework!" Wang Hao excused himself, eager to return to his room.
"Later this afternoon, come with me to the People's Commercial Building to buy a TV!" Wang Lizhi called after him.