As Hebrey left, Jason Luo asked in confusion, "Mr. Kamman, why didn't you let me accept the fight right away?"
Kamman shook his head. "I just want you to think it through before making a decision. Jason, you're still new. Your early fights are very important. Many people lose their confidence after suffering setbacks at the start and end up leaving the boxing world altogether. That's why I want you to choose your opponents carefully."
Jason Luo caught the hint in Kamman's words. "So this Hebrey is really strong? You seem to know him. Don't tell me he's an old rival of yours? If that's the case, then I really might not stand a chance..."
"Hah, he's not even qualified to be my opponent. At best, he's a third-rate amateur—but his style is similar to yours. He can take punishment, and his heavy punches have some power. He's an aggressive fighter. So if you accept, it'll be a head-on clash. You'd better think it over carefully."
"Oh, so that's his style." After hearing Kamman's explanation, Jason Luo actually felt relieved. What he disliked most now were technical opponents. Just like when he sparred with Kamman—he couldn't even land a punch, and no matter how hard he swung, there was no room to unleash his power. It was suffocating.
Toe-to-toe slugfests,trading heavy shots—that was the kind of boxing he dreamed of. The thought of such a match set his blood boiling with excitement!
Seeing that Jason Luo showed no fear, Kamman nodded slightly. "Jason, you'd better call Mr. Raul and hear his advice before you decide."
Jason Luo knew he lacked experience and couldn't act rashly. He found his phone and explained the situation in detail to Mr. Raul.
Raul hadn't expected anyone to challenge Jason Luo. He told him to stay put while he went to collect detailed information on the opponent before making a decision.
About two hours later, Raul hurried back. As before, he first handed Jason Luo a detailed profile.
Hebrey, nicknamed the "Little Bulldozer," fights with toughness and aggression. He can absorb damage, and his heavy counterpunches carry real knockout power. Unofficial amateur record: 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, with 4 knockout victories.
Age: 24
Height: 1.79 m
Weight: 77.1 kg
Reach: 182 cm
After Jason Luo finished reading, Raul carefully chose his words. "Jason, this guy is clearly another aggressive fighter who relies on raw strength. At his peak, he's not an ideal opponent for someone just starting out. My advice is to avoid this fight."
Jason Luo's eyes widened. "You mean I'll definitely lose?"
"No, that's not what I mean." Raul shook his head and continued, "First, given your styles, if you fight, it will almost certainly end in a knockout. The odds of winning on points are very slim. In other words, it'll be a brutal fight—and the price will be high."
"Second, in this kind of match, no one can guarantee victory. Any heavy punch could end it. That makes it a gamble where luck, willpower, and stamina can matter more than technique. You're still inexperienced. Facing this kind of fight now is too early..."
Kamman nodded in agreement. "Jason, these head-on clashes can leave lasting injuries. It's not worth it. I also think you should drop it. Hebrey clearly just wants to pad his record and boost his reputation—maybe even show off in front of his old flame. Don't fall for it!"
They had their reasons, but at the core, Raul and Kamman were simply worried he might lose. Yet Jason Luo knew his techniques were still lacking, and without professional training, the only way forward was to clash head-on with fighters like Hebrey.
He looked at Raul. "Sir, I understand what you're saying. I know you're looking out for me. But I still want to fight! Mr. Raul, you once told me to believe in myself and never give up on my dreams. For someone like me, boxing is my only hope and dream. Boxing is the battlefield of the brave, and I don't want to lose this brave heart!"
Seeing the determination in Jason Luo's eyes, Raul fell silent. Kamman, too, seemed to realize something.
After a long pause, Raul finally said, "Alright. Well said, Jason. I knew I wasn't wrong about you. "If you can defeat Hebrey, I'll sign you immediately and officially bring you into the amateur circuit."
Kamman patted his shoulder. "Good kid, you've got guts. Just for what you said, I'll be there at your match to cheer you on!"
Jason Luo was stunned. Mr. Raul was actually going to sign him!
He wasn't even sure what signing a contract truly meant, but one thing was clear—he'd officially become an amateur boxer. No longer just a sparring partner, he could finally say with pride, "I'm a boxer!" Ha! It felt unreal. Of course, it all hinged on defeating Hebrey.
This fight—he had to win!
Raul left to give Hebrey's camp an answer and finalize the time, location, and other details. Meanwhile, Kamman stayed behind, drilling Jason Luo with match experience, combination punches, and practical techniques.
At first, Jason Luo thought Kamman would be hard to get along with, but after just a few days, the man already treated him like a friend. It was completely unexpected.
That evening, while Jason Luo was training at home, Raul called. The fight was set. The venue: the Morsal Tavern. Time: 11:00 a.m., two days later. At Hebrey's insistence, the challenge purse had been raised to $3,000.
"What?!" Jason Luo was shocked. How could he possibly afford that much?
But Raul reassured him over the phone. "Don't worry about it. Focus on training. I'll cover the cost. And if you win, the entire purse is yours. Consider it my investment before the contract."
After hanging up, Jason Luo couldn't calm down. Mr. Raul was too good to him. Reches and Kamman had also helped him so much. Ever since stepping into the boxing world, he had felt a warmth he never expected.
For that alone, he had to stand firm in the ring. Hebrey, bring it on! In your prime? If it's about youth, I've got even more of it. So what if I'm rough around the edges? I've still got fire in me!
He picked up his phone, about to call Tony Huo, but stopped. The wealthy woman backing Tony was of uncertain background. If trouble came after the match, it could drag Tony into it. After all, in the U.S., you never knew where trouble might come from...
...
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