I must say that this phone call came at just the right moment. Ye Chen was deep in thought, contemplating how to respond to Golovkin's recent video remarks. If he were an average person, he would have likely reacted with aggression and immediately sparked a confrontation. However, Ye Chen knew Golovkin better than that; he had a feeling that the champion wouldn't just casually throw around such statements. As a result, he refrained from leaping into direct conflict, choosing instead to approach the situation with a measured mindset.
He stated, "I believe everyone is aware of the context behind Golovkin's video, and since he sent it over, I've got some questions." Ye Chen contemplated his approach for a moment. It was hard to fathom that Golovkin was oblivious to the significance of the pre-fight press conference happening at that very moment. Thus, it seemed practically impossible that Golovkin would send the video merely for casual banter.
After collecting his thoughts, he connected to the video feed. His mobile phone was angled toward reporters and media personnel, all eager for any breaking news. A journalist quickly seized the opportunity to ask a question. With the real subject of conversation present, this was undoubtedly significant. The reporter inquired, "Golovkin, I believe you've witnessed the uproar regarding the video online. Countless boxing fans have weighed in on this matter. How do you intend to respond?"
Golovkin didn't mince words. "That's exactly why I'm here. There's nothing questionable about this video; I did indeed make those statements regarding this matchup. However, this video reflects my words from before Ye Chen reached out to me for assistance in preparing for his fight. Furthermore, the way the video was captured—clearly via a hidden camera—signals that I was simply engaging in informal dialogue. Regardless, I maintain my belief that even without direct interaction, I deemed it impossible for Ye Chen to overcome Canelo at this moment. But now that I've had a chance to meet him, my perspective has shifted drastically. He's among the most dedicated professional fighters I've ever encountered, if not the most talented and quickest to improve."
As Golovkin's remarks resonated, the room buzzed with astonishment—everyone was taken aback. "Does that mean you believe he has a real chance against Canelo?" a voice echoed through the crowd, leaving many in disbelief.
"I won't claim I can defeat him anytime soon, but you never know. Opportunity will arise again," continued Golovkin. The collective shock among those in attendance, excluding Ye Chen, was palpable. What Golovkin had expressed wasn't mere boasting or belittling; he was acknowledging Ye Chen's potential to challenge Canelo without outright declaring any guarantees of victory.
Golovkin then added, "Ye Chen, I apologize. I didn't foresee that a conversation from months ago would impact your current situation. Unfortunately, I can't be present to support you at the fight, but I genuinely hope you can defend your honor and triumph against your opponent."
Ye Chen replied, "There's no need to apologize. I've always believed you wouldn't speak lightly; there's a reason behind your words, and events have validated my thoughts."
With that, the two concluded their video call. Ye Chen smiled and remarked, "I just heard someone claim that Golovkin is an honest man whose statements shouldn't be taken lightly. Now, he's saying that I have a chance at defeating you. What do you have to say about that now?"
Suddenly, Ye Chen's fans erupted with excitement. At that moment, Ava interjected, "You don't genuinely believe you can beat me, do you? I just want to clarify that, in the boxing realm, you and I are not on the same tier."
As the atmosphere buzzed with tension, another reporter raised a hand, speaking up, "This match might very well represent the pinnacle of both your careers. Regarding the financial aspects, we've heard that Canelo's appearance fee stands at an impressive $120 million. Ye Chen, you could have reaped a substantial portion of that, but you opted to share it instead? Is that true?"
Only a select few were privy to the details of Ye Chen's contractual agreement, a fact that hadn't been disclosed publicly. Ye Chen was puzzled about how the reporter had uncovered this information. Nonetheless, he felt no need to deny it, as it would inevitably come to light following the fight. In high-stakes bouts like this, the financial aspects of athletes often serve as a lucrative publicity tool.
"Yes, I did choose a different contract arrangement," he confirmed.
The room collectively gasped in disbelief. The unexpected revelation sent shockwaves across the audience. They had initially dismissed the online rumors as mere speculation but were taken aback to discover that such claims were, in fact, accurate.
"What… that's $120 million!" another voice murmured, barely able to grasp the numbers. "If it's divided, could there truly be a chance of surpassing that amount?"
"It's likely difficult, but certainly not impossible. Don't forget, Ye Chen is now a superstar. Plus, the PPV prices for this event are extraordinarily high," someone replied, astonishment etched across their face.
"If only I could have $120 million," came a longing sigh from one of the spectators.
The press conference concluded shortly thereafter. After exchanging glances with Ava, Ye Chen prepared to depart, but not before being approached by numerous media representatives seeking interviews.
Weigh-in day came swiftly. Both fighters successfully made weight, but the event caused a stir due to an unexpected incident. High-definition cameras captured evidence of Ava having pinhole marks on her body—immediately triggering speculation among many social media users. The presence of these marks suggested possible steroid use, and this wasn't the first time Ava had drawn such scrutiny. In fact, numerous people began calling him "Yaowa" as a result of these allegations.
Although Ye Chen received numerous private messages warning him of the unfolding situation and some media outlets questioned him about the medication allegations, he remained largely unfazed. He reasoned that if the drug-testing agency cleared Ava of any wrongdoing, that would effectively nullify the accusations. Conversely, if Ava were utilizing performance enhancement substances, it showcased the effectiveness of his team's "techniques."
However, since nothing had been substantiated, Ye Chen felt there was little value in engaging further with those rumors. He believed that lobbying claims could ultimately detract from his own campaign. Instead, he thought it would be more beneficial to prepare diligently for the fight and perhaps simulate scenarios with Ava in the gym.
Soon enough, the day of the match arrived. Advertisements for the battle had been on a continuous loop in Times Square for an entire month, building anticipation. On this final day, the excitement reached a fever pitch, with commercials airing almost every half hour, an astonishing frequency.
Beyond that, various promotional campaigns also kicked into high gear as the countdown to the duel intensified. This climactic showdown had already captured widespread attention, even before the bell had rung.
"You must win, you know? It's imperative that you win…" echoes of encouragement rang in Ye Chen's ears, particularly from his future father-in-law, who had been in New York these past couple of days. As a passionate boxing fan, he felt a buzz of adrenaline, as if he could sense the fighters' energy right before they'd step into the ring.
As a side note, Ye Chen opted to keep Catwoman at home this time, a decision his father-in-law didn't mind. Instead, he eagerly volunteered to accompany Ye Chen. He had a mix of reasons—chiefly, he had purchased a considerable number of tickets. While Ye Chen could have acquired those tickets, his father-in-law was keen to show off among his peers and wanted to proudly stand in the corner instead of amongst the audience.
"Don't worry; I'm prepared for anything," Ye Chen reassured. At that moment, he found himself feeling incredibly relaxed, contrasting with how his future father-in-law appeared—almost more wound up and anxious than him.
"By the way, how is Annie doing?" he inquired, wanting to ease his mind about his fiancée.
"There's no reason to fret; she's been very compliant, even without your presence. She should be at home watching live broadcasts with her friends right now," his future father-in-law replied with relief.