Amid the dazzling lights of the Podiat Sports Arena, the spotlight snapped to the center of the ring. A drawn-out, theatrical voice filled the venue:
"Alright, my dearest audience, I'm your ringside commentator—Wolles! Up next, we're kicking off tonight's first match, an exhibition challenge between two rising stars of the boxing world."
"According to the records, the challenger is Mexican fighter Morduk, 24 years old, standing at 1.82 meters. His amateur record is 11 wins, no losses, with 9 of those by knockout. Wow! That KO rate makes it clear—this guy is dangerous. But given the popular style of Mexican boxing, these stats are pretty standard."
"On the other side, we have our local rookie, Jason! To our surprise, this young man is only 18 years old, 1.84 meters tall, with an amateur record of 3 wins, all by knockout. Ah ha! That makes things exciting. It's obvious this will be a heavy-hitting clash, both fighters boasting sky-high KO rates. So who will win over the Podiat crowd tonight? Let's wait and see—now, let's welcome both fighters to the ring!"
The audience responded with mild applause as Jason Luo and Morduk entered from opposite sides. Once in the ring, Jason took off his jacket, revealing a lean, sculpted physique—especially his washboard abs—which immediately drew the attention of many women in the crowd. The American women, young and older alike, were unabashed; whispers spread quickly, and whistles rang out.
Jason Luo, unused to that kind of attention, flushed in embarrassment.
The commentator jumped in to ease the moment. "Ha! Our young rookie clearly lacks ring experience. But being adored by the female audience is a blessing—take it as a unique kind of encouragement! Perhaps tonight, blessed by the goddesses, he'll fight with unmatched courage."
In the ring, the referee began inspecting both fighters' gloves, mouthguards, and focus. But when it came time for the customary fist bump, Morduk ignored it outright.
The commentator's voice didn't miss a beat: "Oh, looks like there's no love lost here. Rumor has it these two already have a bit of friction. But that's perfectly normal. In boxing, there's no grudge that can't be settled inside the ring. That's the beauty of the sport—real men settle things with their fists. This one's already looking heated."
"Here we go! Stay sharp, everyone—when two power punchers square off, it could end at any moment! Morduk wastes no time, taking center ring and pressing the rookie back, step by step."
"But unexpectedly, Jason doesn't rush into a slugfest. Instead, he steps back, creating distance, using quick jabs to disrupt Morduk's rhythm. This... this looks like a tactical style. Could it be this young fighter is more of a technician than a brawler?"
In the ring, Jason Luo followed Coach Pedro's tactics with focus, punching while retreating.
Over two months of training had made him comfortable in the ring. Even without turning his head, he could gauge his distance from the ropes and corners. The moment he neared the edge, he shifted his line, refusing to let his opponent trap him.
Morduk, however, showed no urgency. He hadn't thrown much so far. Guarding well, he kept marching forward through Jason's jabs, his rear hand cocked—enough to put heavy pressure on Jason.
Jason wasn't naive. With a KO rate that high, Morduk's power was undeniable. He kept his eyes locked on the Mexican's rear hand, refusing to drop his guard for even a second.
After circling the ring twice, Morduk suddenly lunged in, ducking low. His left hook ripped out with force, his right uppercut coiled and ready.
Jason felt danger immediately. If he slipped the hook, the uppercut would catch him clean.
Instinctively, he raised his right glove to block the hook. Seeing Jason avoid the trap, Morduk shifted—his right uppercut turning into a diagonal hook aimed at Jason's ribs.
Jason recognized it instantly: a rear power punch, fully loaded. He couldn't afford the slightest mistake. He sidestepped sharply, dodging the strike, then seized the opening left by Morduk's two-handed attack, firing a straight right at his opponent's face.
But Morduk's guard was quick. Gloves up, he absorbed the punch. Feeling the impact, he smirked and spread his hands wide—mocking Jason's lack of power.
That bastard!
Jason's teeth clenched in fury. From the corner, Coach Pedro shouted, "Don't take the bait! He's just trying to rile you up! Jason, you're doing great—stick to the plan!"
Even in that short exchange, Jason felt the weight of his opponent's power. Just absorbing one front-hand hook had rattled him with raw force. If it had been a rear power punch, even with his guard, it would've been brutal. This was, without question, the strongest opponent he had faced.
Jason tightened his focus, creating distance again, putting defense against the heavy shots first.
The commentator kept the crowd engaged: "We see Morduk finally letting loose—a sharp lunge inside, followed by a strong combination! But the rookie stays calm, blocking and slipping to neutralize the danger. Still, his counter doesn't seem to trouble Morduk much. If that continues, Jason may find himself in trouble. Once an opponent like Morduk opens up fully, he's a nightmare to deal with. His style is ruthless—every punch could be a knockout!"
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(40 Chapters Ahead)
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