Ava hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've watched Ye Chen compete more than once, and I must say, I'm truly impressed by his comprehensive technical skills, particularly his boxing technique. There are very few MMA fighters who possess such refined boxing abilities." Pausing for emphasis, he continued, "But now, he's attempting to enter a different realm of competition altogether. The speed of his ascent in the fighting world is nothing short of remarkable, and many observers are calling it a record-setting rise to fame in the history of combat sports. I agree with that perspective. Nonetheless, when it comes to breaking new records, he hasn't reached that pinnacle yet. Because in just a few days, on game night, I'm going to hand him the first loss of his career."
Logan smiled, clearly entertained by Ava's thoughts. "You're not wrong; Ye Chen has indeed ventured into an area where he might not excel fully. But let's not forget that he holds over ten records to his name. He declared he would become the lightweight world champion, and he did. He voiced his intent to capture the welterweight world title, and he accomplished that as well. Now, he's asserting that he will defeat the top boxing superstar at Madison Square Garden..."
Ava burst into laughter, shaking his head at Logan. "What do you really think? Do you honestly believe he stands a chance against me in a boxing ring? Just look at the odds the bookmakers have set to see where his winning rate lies. If you were given the opportunity to place your bet, would you actually put your money on him?"
Ava understood that Logan held a certain bias toward Ye Chen, owing to their long-standing acquaintance. Moreover, upon closer examination, it became clear that it was Logan who had discovered and brought Ye Chen into the spotlight. Still, Ava recognized that every interview conducted today was seemingly designed to generate hype for the upcoming bout. This was completely understandable; they needed to craft an image portraying an even match-up that would create intrigue and potential for victory. Only by doing this could they ramp up ticket sales and engage the audience more effectively.
Logan was momentarily at a loss for words. Even if he was inclined to wager on the fight, he wouldn't dare put his money on Ye Chen under any circumstances. As someone deeply entrenched in the world of fighting, he understood all too well the magnitude of the skill gap between the two competitors. It was simply unparalleled. Yet, as a prominent speaker and host, he couldn't allow himself to be outmatched with a single statement. "The odds are certainly tilted heavily in your favor, but we must consider that Ye Chen has brought in Golovkin and Bivol to train with him. Both of them have caused you considerable trouble in the ring before. With their assistance, do you truly believe you can just roll over Ye Chen?"
Ava confidently replied, "Of course, it makes no difference who Ye Chen prepares with; the outcome will remain unchanged. Technical training and the cohesion of a fighting style cannot be established in mere months. We can take a lesson from the fight between Conor and Mayweather. I anticipate that Ye Chen will end up losing even more embarrassingly than McGregor did back then."
Ava's confidence was undeniably palpable, but he had every right to be. Soon enough, it was time for the pre-game press conference. On this particular day, the odds regarding Ye Chen and Ava experienced another significant shift. Ye Chen+1000, Ava-450. It's worth noting that the earlier odds hadn't been as exaggerated. The reason for this latest adjustment on conference day stemmed from a revelation that emerged just the night before; a video surfaced online where Golovkin remarked privately that there was no chance for Ye Chen to secure a victory against Ava.
This development was particularly noteworthy. Golovkin had built a reputation for being an honest and good-natured individual, and his steadfast demeanor had won him the respect of boxing fans everywhere. Yet, with a video like this making the rounds, the implications were hard to ignore. It didn't come as a surprise that he would express that sentiment, since most observers share that viewpoint already. However, knowing that Golovkin had prepared for Ye Chen merely added weight to the situation. As a result, many supporters of Ye Chen, who may have been considering placing a bet in his favor, had now decided to withdraw their support. Golovkin, who had faced Ava in the ring three times and worked with Ye Chen, undoubtedly had credibility in this matchup. The bookmakers wasted no time in adjusting the odds in light of the video.
Almost immediately, countless media outlets were left scratching their heads over this unexpected development. The organizers found themselves in a panic, realizing the potential damage this video could inflict on ticket sales and pay-per-view numbers. Backstage, Ye Chen was engaged in a video chat with Catwoman. She couldn't be present this time, a measure Ye Chen insisted on due to Catwoman's current condition—her pregnancy was progressing, and he worried about any potential complications.
"Why did Golovkin say that to you? I thought you two always got along well?" Catwoman asked, clearly bewildered by the situation. Ye Chen was equally perplexed; from everything he knew about Golovkin, such a statement seemed unlikely. Yet, the video was undeniably circulating on various platforms. "I'm not sure, either. Just focus on resting at home, 007. Don't stress over this; I'll take care of everything. Alright, I have to sign off for now; the host is calling for me."
Although he understood the complexities of the situation, Ye Chen was bracing himself for a challenging press conference. He anticipated a barrage of questions regarding Golovkin's comments. At that moment, the host called both Ye Chen and Ava to the stage simultaneously. Why the dual appearance? Dana, in charge of the event, wanted Ye Chen to have the spotlight as a climax since both competitors carried weight. Naturally, Ava was resistant to the idea. The status of boxing within the combat sports realm is tough to contest. Ultimately, both fighters needed to share the stage in a manner that highlighted their standing.
As they prepared to take the stage, enthusiastic chants echoed through the venue. "Canelo, Canelo!" resonated as the crowd eagerly anticipated their arrival. The energy in the arena was electrifying, the sound nearly overwhelming, signaling that the press conference was about to reach fever pitch. Once the two finally made their entrance from backstage, the atmosphere erupted further, akin to an explosion. The rapid clicking of cameras filled the air like the bass of a booming concert, capturing every moment with fervor. Witnessing such excitement, the event organizers could hardly contain their joy. The louder the crowd roared, the more it fueled their enthusiasm for the event ahead.