**
The format of the qualifiers is somewhat similar to the Golden Gloves finals.
In the first round, all the top-ranked boxers from participating countries face off against the second-ranked boxers from other countries.
If the first-ranked boxer is defeated, the second-ranked boxer gets another chance. If the third-ranked boxer wins, they have one more opportunity to compete in the challenge round. If the third-ranked boxer also fails, the country's team is completely eliminated.
If the first-ranked boxer is defeated but the second-ranked boxer succeeds, the second-ranked boxer replaces the first and continues to compete. The first-ranked boxer also gets one more chance in the challenge round.
If both the first and second boxers succeed, similar to Link and Jones Flores in the Golden Gloves finals, they compete separately.
If Jones Flores had won against Andre Berto, he would have replaced Andre and fought Link again, but he did not.
The qualifiers are generally like this.
However, with more teams participating, Link needs to fight more matches. His opponents now include top-ranked amateur boxers from Cuba, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and other countries in the super middleweight category.
In boxing, although the United States leads the world, other American countries are also very strong.
Mexico, Canada, and Cuba, like the United States, are traditional boxing powerhouses, having produced many world-class champions.
For instance, Mexico has 'The God of War' Julio César Chávez, nine-time WBC featherweight champion legend Salvador Sánchez, Hall of Famers Olivares, Arizmendi, Vicente Saldivar, and more, with over ten world-class champions.
In the lower weight classes, the United States is not a match for Mexico.
Cuba is also a boxing powerhouse, having won 31 gold, 12 silver, and 18 bronze medals in Olympic boxing events, slightly less than the United States' 42 gold, 21 silver, and 35 bronze, but has consistently dominated the U.S. in recent Olympic boxing events.
Other American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica, and Guatemala have also produced champions.
These countries together often secure 5 or 6 spots in the Pan American Games boxing qualifiers.
With only two spots left in the super middleweight category, Link and his teammates will face tough battles ahead.
â€"â€"
"Hey, guys, who wants to spar with Link?"
After chatting for a while, Morales, unable to resist, picked up a pair of boxing gloves and asked Andrzej, Jones Flores, and Andre Berto.
Andrzej waved his hand, "I'm not sparring with Link. He's fast and strong. If I fight him, I won't last a round."
Andre Berto glanced at Link and waved his hand.
Despite being beaten by Link in the final match, Andre had to admit that in terms of technique, strength, speed, stamina, and tactics, he was inferior to Link.
He wasn't confident about defeating Link in another match.
Additionally, he wanted to see if Link had improved over the past half month before considering a rematch.
Jones Flores, leaning against the ring with his arms crossed and a smile showing his white teeth, said, "Link's back punch is too strong for me to handle. Mario, you're good at taking hits, why don't you spar with Link and let us watch?"
"Alright, Link, how about a match?"
Morales put on his boxing gloves and shouted.
Link smiled. Since they came from afar and wanted to practice, he wouldn't refuse. He asked some students to help the just-awakened Mario to rest and brought two sets of protective gear for him and Morales.
"Boxing!"
Link and Morales bumped gloves, and the spar began.
Morales had a solid build, strong resilience, good stamina, and heavy punches, making him a heavy hitter.
His weakness was his slow speed, standing 180 cm tall with a 182 cm reach, which was 10 cm shorter than Link's. This was a significant disadvantage.
Just like how Chris Byrd with a 188 cm reach faced Wladimir Klitschko with a 206 cm reach, the short reach made it impossible to win, resulting in two losses in 2000 and 2006.
In the match, Morales was continuously suppressed.
Boom! Boom!
Morales swung his thick arms, delivering a straight punch aimed at Link's head.
Link raised his right arm to block and simultaneously threw a left punch, a reflex combination punch, which is an instinctive set of punches thrown in response to an opponent's attack.
This kind of combination punch requires years of training to form muscle memory and reflexes, allowing the boxer to throw the punches in the shortest time during a match. The more reflex combination punches one masters, the smoother the fight becomes.
Link's left punch aimed at Morales' head.
"Mario, watch out!"
Jones shouted from the ring's side.
Morales turned his head just in time to see Link's right hook coming towards his head. He tried to dodge, but it was too late; his body couldn't keep up with his thoughts.
Bang!
Link's punch lightly landed on Morales' temple and quickly retracted.
"Watch out, Morales."
Link smiled.
"Damn, Link, how did you get even faster? I can't defend against you at all."
Morales yelled in frustration.
"Your punches have gotten heavier too."
Link laughed.
The two continued sparring.
Considering the upcoming match in two days, Link no longer aimed at Morales' head, only targeting his arms, shoulders, and protected areas.
With a solid build and wearing protective gear, Morales was a good sparring partner, better than the other Mario.
While they sparred, Andrzej, Andre Berto, and Jones Flores watched from the side.
"Damn it! He was already good, but now he's even better? How can we ever stand out with him around?"
Andrzej sighed, frowning.
Having trained in boxing since childhood for over fifteen years, technique was Andrzej's specialty and his foundation in the amateur boxing world. Even against Andre Berto, he could hold his own.
But Link was a different story; Link outmatched him in technique and other areas, leaving him no chance of winning.
Andrzej felt utterly helpless.
"Not only is his technique good, but his combination punches have also become more refined. This guy's boxing talent is enviable."
Jones Flores praised.
"Indeed, he's a true genius. People used to call me that, but compared to Link, there's no comparison."
Andrzej shrugged.
Jones Flores glanced at Andre Berto, "Andre, why are you so quiet?"
Andre Berto shook his head and sighed, "Do you know how he beat me in the fifth round of our last match?"
"Wasn't it a straightforward defeat?"
Jones Flores and Andrzej looked at him curiously.
"Bullshit! If I had just defended in the fifth round, he couldn't have knocked me out."
Andre Berto glared at Link in the ring with anger.
"Haha, Andre, everyone was curious why you chose to attack Link in the fifth round when you should have defended. Some even said you were throwing the match. Is that true?"
"Fuck no!"
Andre Berto's face darkened with frustration, "During the fifth round, that bastard Link told me he would knock me out in the eighth round."
"The eighth round? But he promised a five-round match. Where did the eighth round come from?" Andrzej asked curiously.
"Link told me that the five-round promise was a lie, a tactic, and that he would continue fighting until the tenth round.
At that point, I was exhausted and had little energy left. Hearing him say that, I was furious and ignored my coach's advice, thinking only about going all out against him. And I fell right into his trap."
Andrzej and Jones Flores exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
The sparring in the ring ended as well, with both fighters sweating heavily after ten rounds. Morales, a heavy hitter, kept attacking while Link defended. Morales' punches were very powerful, not inferior to heavyweight Mario's. Link absorbed over a hundred punches, his arms numb from the impact.
Both fighters stepped out of the ring, drenched in sweat.
(End of this chapter)