After both fighters stepped into the ring and completed routine checks, Joseph and Jason Luo touched gloves lightly, starting the match in a relatively friendly atmosphere.
But the moment the referee gave the signal, Jason Luo launched forward with a lightning-fast assault. This had been the plan all along—he needed to find a way to counter Joseph in the very first round. Otherwise, constantly taking those lead-hand punches, even as accumulated damage, would soon become unbearable.
But things didn't go smoothly. The instant Jason Luo lunged, Joseph's jab snapped out. Damn it—that wasn't a jab, it was a homing missile!
If Jason Luo focused purely on defense, he might have been fine. But the second he showed the slightest intent to attack, Joseph unleashed a barrage of jabs—fast, precise, and ruthless. From experience alone, Jason Luo could already tell: this veteran's lead-hand punch wasn't just sharp, it carried real power—at least 8 or 9 points, nearly matching the cross punch of a beginner-level fighter!
How was he supposed to fight against that?
If this weren't an official match, Jason Luo would've turned around and walked away. He'd rather face the ferocious Silvaliev than deal with an opponent like this—it was outright bullying...
Joseph's jab was so sharp that even Pedro, watching from ringside, furrowed his brows. Raul leaned over quickly. "Well? What do you think, Old Pedro? Does the kid have a chance?"
Pedro shook his head gravely. "This round looks grim. His lead-hand punch is already fully polished. The kid's Reaction and evasive skills can't keep up. Just trying to tank it won't work..."
Raul clenched his teeth, glanced back at the ring, and grew anxious. "Damn it! To run into someone like this in the very first round—what rotten luck! Hang in there, kid... maybe he'll burn out later..."
In the ring, Jason Luo had no answers. Joseph's Punch Speed was simply too fast to dodge. If he tightened his defense, Joseph just slowed down, rested, and recovered his Stamina.
Already behind on points, Jason Luo was in a passive position. His coach had told him to control the pace in round one, but instead he had walked straight into a dead end.
He couldn't lose.
This fight was likely one of only two left in his career. So far, he had never lost. Even if he had to say goodbye to boxing, he wanted to leave undefeated...
Jason Luo bit down hard. If dodging was impossible, then he'd stop trying altogether. Mr. Brown had always said: if you don't have the courage to charge through an opponent's attack, then forget about learning an offensive style!
That was it.
With his mind set, Jason Luo treated Joseph's lead-hand punch as if it didn't exist. Lowering his stance, he drove forward with explosive footwork and counterattacked right in the middle of Joseph's offense!
Joseph was caught off guard, hurriedly backpedaling and throwing out a cross, but it barely registered. Jason Luo's Toughness was now an incredible 12 points—Joseph's rear-hand punch just wasn't enough to hurt him.
After taking that counterpunch, Jason Luo actually felt relieved. If Joseph had possessed a crushing cross to go with that jab, then this fight truly would've been unwinnable...
Charging through the barrage of punches, Jason Luo forced his way close and unleashed a furious offensive. But Joseph was a veteran. His experience allowed him to instantly switch from offense to defense. After blocking two heavy blows, he feinted with a sidestep and slipped away, reestablishing distance.
Jason Luo was back to square one. But he wasn't discouraged. One failed attempt? Then he'd try again. Surrender wasn't an option!
This time Joseph tightened his guard, protecting his jab even more carefully. But Jason Luo wasn't intimidated. Locking his eyes on his opponent, he hurled himself forward with all his momentum—again and again, without pause.
At ringside, Pedro jumped to his feet. "You little brat, that's it! If this were a technical fight, you'd already be finished. Right now it's all about Stamina and willpower. Keep going!"
Raul saw it too. Jason Luo wasn't fighting for points anymore—he was fighting with his life. His eyes stung as he shouted toward the ring, "You little bastard, keep pushing! Meeting you has been my greatest luck..."
In the stands, Brown's eyes gleamed with rare fire, his voice trembling as he muttered, "Kid, hold on... just hold on. If you endure until victory, you'll come out a new man..."
Tony Huo's hands shook as he filmed. On his screen, Jason Luo looked like a warrior on a death charge, advancing through a storm of fire. Again and again he fell, and again and again he stood back up, charging forward without pause!
This was no ordinary match. On a technical level, Joseph completely dominated Jason Luo. But Jason Luo was fighting back with his very life.
Dr. Miao and his companions rose to their feet, fists clenched. "Go, Jason Luo! Go, Jason Luo!"
Spectators who had been watching other matches gradually turned, drawn by the extraordinary fight.
"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The referee blew his whistle—end of round one.
Despite Jason Luo's relentless surges, Joseph was simply too experienced. Every time Jason Luo closed in, Joseph defended fiercely, then relied on his vast ring knowledge and evasive tricks to slip away.
Back in his corner, Pedro noticed swelling on Jason Luo's face. "Kid, I know this is brutal, but you've got to save some energy for defense. Otherwise, you won't last. Still, you're doing the right thing. Keep draining his Stamina. Once you get close, throw combinations and tie him up. Worst case, just grab him and don't let him slip away..."
Even Raul, who almost never spoke during breaks, massaged Jason Luo's head as he said, "Listen, Luo. No matter win or lose today, I'm proud of you. You're the hardest-working kid I've ever met... Keep fighting!"
There was no confusion in Jason Luo's eyes now—only firm determination. He couldn't lose. Not in these last two matches.
Father was about to be discharged. Only with results could he believe in his son's potential and future in boxing. I will succeed. I will bring my opponent down. Victory will be mine!
Round two began!
The situation hardly changed. Joseph's jab was still overwhelming. Jason Luo paid a steep price to force him on the defensive, but Joseph's guard held firm. Though his rear-hand punches grew numb from blocking, it barely changed the flow of the fight.
The grim outlook didn't shake Jason Luo. Driven by unbreakable conviction, he charged again...
"Go! Go!"
Raul and Pedro roared from ringside.
"Hang in there, Jason! If you win this, I'll respect you for life!" Tony Huo cried, tears streaming down his face.
"Forward, don't stop! Keep pushing, never back down!" The crowd erupted into chants, their voices echoing through the arena.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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