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"Mario, did you skip breakfast or something? Put some muscle into it, be decisive with your punches. If you fight like this, you won't be able to take a single punch from Link even after ten years of training."
"West, don't talk about that jerk Link. I underestimated him yesterday and wasn't prepared. Give me another match, and I won't lose."
"Stop talking and focus on your practice."
At the West Fight Club's second-floor training area, next to the boxing ring, Mario is sparring with a boxer in a black tank top, while Coach West, wearing a white baseball shirt and holding a notebook, is instructing from below the ring.
Link walked around the boxing gym to check out the environment and the training equipment.
Yesterday, Coach West had chased after him to persuade him to join, and he had thought West was just a coach from a small gym. It turned out to be more formal than he'd expected.
The facility was three stories high, with a steel frame structure and glass curtain walls, allowing plenty of natural light. The first floor contained the office space and cafeteria, the second floor was for training, and the third floor had dormitories and offices, complete with an elevator for moving between floors.
The training area, next to the boxing ring, was equipped with rubber punching bags, speedballs, resistance bands, heavy bags, barbell racks, and more, with all the necessary equipment available. Over a dozen young people were strength training, creating a lively atmosphere in the gym.
"Link, this is a photo of Coach West from his days as a boxer."
An employee of the gym was following Link and explained. This person had approached Link as soon as he entered and identified himself as the gym manager, Robinson, who offered to show him around, especially the wall of honor.
On the gym's wall, there were photos of a young West Corian competing in boxing matches.
In his youth, West was a middleweight boxer who trained in the same gym as Roy Jones Jr.'s father.
He made his debut in the early seventies and, in 1978, competed against the champion, Sugar Ray Leonard, for the WBO middleweight Golden Belt, ultimately losing. Sugar Ray was the first boxer in history to accumulate over 100 million US dollars in prize money from matches, a testament to his formidable strength.
Manager Robinson also shared that in the early eighties, Coach West retired and began coaching. Having nearly thirty years of coaching experience, he was well-seasoned.
"Pretty good. Has the gym produced any successful boxers?" Link inquired.
"Yes! Of course!" Robinson quickly listed several boxers' names that Link had never heard of in either of his lives.
Only one, Robert Allen, was somewhat well-known, having contended against the champion Bernard Hopkins for the IBF middleweight Golden Belt in 1999, but he failed and later became a second-tier boxer before retiring.
Seeing Robinson's disappointed expression, Link laughed and said, "No worries, now that I'm here, you'll have a champion."
Manager Robinson looked at him, unsure if he was serious or joking, but could only agree that it would be wonderful.
"Haha, Link, you're here," Coach West laughed heartily as he approached, pretending as if he had just noticed him. In fact, he had been informed of Link's arrival as soon as he had walked in, but figured showing off the gym's honors was more fitting for Robinson to do.
"Link, what do you think of this place?" Coach West asked, gesturing to the clean and orderly gym. It was usually a mess, but last night he had summoned everyone in the gym along with four hourly workers to stay up and clean, making it look not so bad.
"It's very good, very official," Link nodded affirmatively.
Coach West chuckled, "Link, I'm glad you like it here. Practicing boxing at home is nothing compared to training at a gym. Here we have the equipment and sparring partners. Join West Fight Club, and I'll do everything I can to support you, providing the best training facilities and environment, as well as logistical services. What do you say?"
Seeing him hesitate, West added, "Service at the gym will be free until you fight in professional matches, and after you start competing professionally, the coaching team will only take a 5% share of any prize money you win."
Link thought for a moment.
The offer from Coach West was indeed generous.
In the boxing world, it's standard for a boxer's coaching team to receive between 1% to 15% of the athlete's match prize money after turning professional, with the proportion depending on the team's contribution.
Moreover, a coach plays an essential role in a boxer's development.
Apart from regular training and developing workout plans, a coach also works to address a boxer's weaknesses and enhance their boxing techniques.
During matches, the coaching team develops effective fight strategies and, at critical moments, can even throw in the towel to save a boxer's life.
A good boxing coach can make a boxer's career.
For instance, Mike Tyson's coach, Cus D'Amato, is widely considered the maker of Tyson's career. It is often said that if D'Amato hadn't passed away in 1985, Tyson's peak could have extended well beyond the year 2000.
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There was also Evander Holyfield's coach, Lou Duvall.
Lou Duvall was one of the founding veterans of the Boxing Hall of Fame, the owner of a major event promotion company, and had produced nineteen champions including Evander Holyfield and Whitaker.
Compared to these renowned coaches, West Corian's track record was somewhat less impressive, but Link didn't mind.
His strength and speed were steadily increasing during training, and he would become stronger and stronger in the future. He didn't need to worry too much about competitions yet; what he needed was a proficient logistics team, a guide to lead him into the boxing circle.
Having been in the boxing ring for over thirty years, West Corian must have had an experienced operation, and even if it was lacking, it was okay. There would be time to replace him later.
"Coach West, pleased to be working with you."
Link reached out and said.
"Haha, Link, the pleasure is all mine."
Coach West grabbed his hand and gave it a firm shake, then shouted toward the boxing ring and training area, "Everyone, stop! Let me introduce this gentleman, Mr. Link Baker, He is a new member of our fight club. His boxing skills are outstanding. Last night at the Red Glove Bar, he KO'ed Mario with a single punch."
"Wow!"
"Really?"
A wave of exclamations erupted from the crowd, as everyone looked at Link in surprise and then turned their curious glances to Mario, asking if it was true. Could he really not handle even one punch, was he that weak?
Mario's face turned beet red, he had wanted to keep this news under wraps but hadn't expected West to publicly spill the beans, leaving him without a shred of dignity. It was too humiliating.
He shot West an irritated glance and then looked at Link, his eyes shifting as he shouted, "Don't laugh at me, everyone. This guy Link is very tough; he's a heavy hitter. West said that none of us could withstand a single punch from Link, and said that Link could become a champion in the future. Do you know that Link doesn't have to pay a US dollar for food or clothing here? West is planning on spending his own money to train him."
Everyone's expressions changed when they looked at Link, as nobody liked an outlier appearing in their group.
"Mario, stop talking nonsense here."
Coach West scolded.
"No, I'm not talking nonsense, West, that's exactly what you told me."
Mario crossed his arms and turned his face away in disdain.
Link smiled slightly and picked up a pair of boxing gloves, saying, "Mario, we are boxers, talking loud doesn't count for anything; being able to fight is what really matters. How about we have another match? I hope this time you don't go down so easily."
"Fine, Link, today I'll show you what absolute defense is."
Mario swung his thick arms excitedly and bellowed.
Bang!
Thirty seconds later, Mario's face heavily hit the boxing ring.
This time he was very careful, guarding his head with his arms from start of the match and keeping a close watch on Link's fists, ready to defend himself with full attention at every movement of Link's shoulders.
Unfortunately, his defense was still not stringent enough; Link only threw a combination of punches, first hitting Mario on the ribs, which forced Mario to shift his weight down, the second punch landing on the left side of his jaw, making him off-balance, and the third punch brought him down to the ground.
Mario lay on the ring, eyes rolling back, and less than twelve hours later, he again experienced the feeling of dizziness.
It felt terrible.
Fortunately, this time Link held back and didn't inflict too much damage. After lying on the ground for a few seconds, Mario glared at Link and walked off the ring in frustration.
West laughed heartily and said to the four adult boxers around, "Why don't you guys go up and spar with Link? Experience what it's like to fight a high-level boxer."
The four adult boxers lined up to practice with Link. Since it was sparring practice, he didn't throw hard punches and went for five or six rounds with each, outclassing them with his skill and stamina, leaving them breathless and their footwork disorganized until they had to admit defeat.
"Link, you bastard, why do you fight four or five rounds with them, but only one round with me? Are you worried that if the fight drags on, you won't have enough stamina and end up losing to me?"
Mario sat below the ring, shouting as he held a water bottle.
Link felt somewhat helpless; Mario had been KO'ed twice and still wanted to save face with words. He could only reply noncommittally, "That's right, your stamina is strong, and I need to be quick to defeat you."
"Haha, I knew it! Link, next time I'm going to fight you for twelve rounds."
Mario, waving his fists, shouted excitedly.
Link smiled. Despite his fierce look, this guy was quite endearing at heart.