If he wanted to take a step further, defeating the famous Link would undoubtedly be the best choice.
And for Link to dominate the super middleweight boxing world, Andre Ward would be his last and most formidable opponent in this division.
Both Link and Andre Ward wanted to rise by stepping on each other, so during this time, after training, he would take time to watch Andre Ward's match videos.
Today, he was watching the WBO-IBF title unification fight that took place on September 12th at the Berlin Olympic Stadium in Germany, between Andre Ward and the Armenian-German boxer, Arthur Abraham, also known as "King Arthur."
"Alright, the match is about to begin. Let's redirect the camera to the boxing ring. Now standing in the ring is the current WBO-IBF-WBF-IBO champion, Andre Ward. He is 183 centimeters tall with a reach of 185 centimeters."
"He won the light heavyweight championship at the 2004 Athens Olympics and turned professional in 2004. He has since defeated all former and current champions in the super middleweight division except Link, with a current professional record of 25 wins and 0 losses, including 18 knockouts."
In the TV footage, a strong black boxer raised his arms high, wearing black gloves, and punched his chest towards the camera, full of fighting spirit. It was Andre Ward.
"Today, at the Staples Center, witnessed by 68,000 spectators, he will face the most popular and prestigious boxer in the current boxing world, the 2008 Olympic middleweight champion, holder of five world swimming records, super popular singer, and teen idol - Link Baker!!!"
The HBO camera suddenly zoomed in on Link's face.
"Huh?"
Blinded by the red light on the camera, Link blinked, and his vision suddenly blurred as the surrounding scenery rapidly changed.
The flat screen turned into a noisy boxing ring.
The quiet small theater also transformed into a lively boxing arena.
He was surrounded by many people, including Coach Brooks, Morales, Simon, Dino, Franco, and others.
Further out were the packed audience stands, filled with old white men in suits, hot Latin women, Tyson with gold teeth, blond teenagers waving gloves, and T-shirts printed with "Boxing Like Link."
Tens of thousands of spectators held up his boxing posters and shouted "Go Link" and "Link will win."
The noisy scene and deafening shouts made Link a bit overwhelmed.
"Link, what's wrong? You look terrible. What did you do last night?"
Coach Brooks waved his hand in front of him.
Last night?
Link tapped his forehead with his gloves, remembering what happened yesterday.
Yesterday, while watching the video, he had a glass of lemonade beside him.
Later, Selena came by and brought him a fruit platter and barbecue.
He smelled alcohol on Selena and criticized her for drinking.
Selena got angry and secretly added some cocktail to his glass, claiming it was cranberry juice. It tasted like juice at first, but the more he drank, the dizzier he got. Before he could react, he passed out drunk. He woke up still feeling dizzy, his whole body floating.
He didn't even know how he got to the Staples Center.
"Whoa, what happened? Why does Link look so out of it, like he's sleepwalking? Today is the super middleweight finals, the WBA-WBC-WBO-IBF four-organization title unification fight. Link Baker, who everyone believes has a chance to dominate the super middleweight division, is not in good shape before the match starts."
"Unbelievable!"
"I seem to see the scales of victory slowly tipping towards Andre Ward."
"It is said that before the match, major betting companies set up betting items for both of them. The odds of Link and Andre Ward winning are 1 to 1.1 and 1 to 32 respectively. I think everyone who bet on Andre Ward winning has a chance to make a lot of money, and the betting companies will also lose a lot of money."
"The match is about to start. What will be the result of this match?"
"Will the out-of-shape WBA/WBC champion Link continue to defeat his opponent in a crushing manner, or will Andre Ward rise against the odds and create a miracle, successfully unifying the super middleweight division? Let's all open our eyes and stare at the ring. Maybe the next second will be the most exciting moment in the 2009 boxing world."
The live commentator said loudly with an extremely provocative tone, holding a microphone.
At the same time, the HBO cameraman also focused the lens on Link's handsome but somewhat dazed face. Through the camera lens, the audience at the scene and in front of the TV could see that Link was a little off, as if he hadn't woken up from a hangover.
"Selena! How old are you? Why are you still so mischievous?"
In the living room of Bay Villa No. 16, Mrs. Mandy glared at Selena angrily.
"Do you know how important this match is? It's the super middleweight finals. If he wins this match, Link can unify the super middleweight division and become a world-class champion. If he loses, he will lose tens of millions, and selling you won't be enough to pay it back."
"Wuuuu..."
Selena cried with a sad face, her eyes red and filled with tears. She sniffed and said, "I didn't know he had such a low alcohol tolerance. I only secretly added half a glass of Tequila Sunrise. Who knew he would get drunk? Wuuuu, I was wrong. I shouldn't have done that."
"It's okay, don't cry."
Catherine hugged her shoulders and helped her wipe her chubby cheeks with a tissue.
"There are wins and losses in boxing matches. It doesn't matter if you lose. Sometimes losing a match is actually more beneficial to a boxer's development. Like Tyson and Holyfield, their second match had more topicality and higher prize money. If Link loses to Andre Ward, the prize money for the next rematch is likely to double."
"Really?"
Selena blinked her wet eyelashes and looked at Catherine pitifully, hoping that what Catherine said was true so that she could change from the culprit to a meritorious person.
"What's real? Of course it's fake. Link is an idol boxer. Maintaining a winning streak makes fans admire him more and see him as a super powerful person. Losing is a stain, especially when he didn't lose because of his strength, but because of you."
Mrs. Mandy said with a stern face, poking Selena's forehead.
"Wuuuu, I didn't know he had such a low alcohol tolerance, that one glass of wine could make him drunk for a whole day. I know I was wrong. If he loses, I don't want to live either."
Selena cried bitterly in Catherine's arms, her shoulders shaking.
"Alright, stop crying."
Taylor patted her shoulder and smiled. "Link is very strong, he won't lose."
"Really?"
"Yes, the match is about to start. Get up and cheer for him."
Taylor smiled.
Selena wiped her eyes and watched Link walk from the corner of the ring to the middle on TV, standing face to face with Andre Ward. The referee in the middle raised his hand and shouted, "Boxing!"
"Go Link, if you lose, I'll be scolded to death. Please, you must win."
(End of Chapter)