Blake made one last big move and slammed Joe's head into him, but Joe had already pulled back before the blow. Joe quickly moved out of his defensive stance and used the Dempsey Turn technique to attack Blake's left side.
The hard blow to Blake's head sent him reeling, sending him crashing to the ground. The referee began a quick countdown.
"One… two… three…"
Blake tried to pull himself together, but this time it was too late. Joe's rapidly developing strategy gave him a huge advantage.
"Eight… nine…"
And finally, "Ten!" The referee declared Joe the winner after Blake had collapsed to the ground.
"Winner Joe!"
Joe struggled to his feet, struggling through his exhausted body. Although he had won, the emptiness inside him had not gone away. This gave him the opportunity to take another step. But winning would not be enough for the next fight.
Joe watched Blake fall to the ground, reinforcing his composure and determination once more. He had now won the semi-finals. But there were stronger, more experienced opponents on the line.
"Come on, Joe," he muttered to himself. "The real fight begins now."
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Joe's victory at the national tournament had not only earned him great prestige. He was now a name known not only in the ring but in every aspect of life. But the hardest part was now starting; each opponent would be stronger, each fight would be more challenging, and Joe's spirit and determination would be tested.
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