Jason Luo's single punch wasn't just for show. With the power of his current heavy punches, a bare-knuckle strike was already dangerous enough to kill an ordinary person if it hit a vital spot like the head…
"Ding! Congratulations on defeating your opponent in an unofficial match. The Greedy Wolf Talent has automatically extracted superior attributes from your opponent: Coordination +1, Dodge & Anticipation +1, Footwork +2, Leg Technique +1. Please check your stats promptly."
Damn! Five attribute points in under three minutes! He'd spent half a month training to gain just four points in Stamina. This was way too rewarding!
But Jason Luo knew this was a one-time thing. Underground fights were illegal—taboo for any professional boxer. If discovered, the consequences would be severe. If not for his family's safety, he never would've gone.
That punch left Jeff dumbfounded. Overjoyed, he immediately ordered his men to escort Jason Luo respectfully back to the training gym.
Jason Luo was in excellent spirits that day. Feeling confident, he went straight to Rod and formally requested to take the Stamina assessment.
As expected, Jason Luo managed to push through it this time. After six full rounds of relentless offense, both he and his sparring partner collapsed onto the ring the moment the bell rang.
He was completely drained...
Coach Brown approached with a grin. "Not bad. You barely passed, but it counts. If you can maintain that level of full-power output for six rounds and learn to manage your stamina, you'll be able to last eight or even ten rounds. Tomorrow, we can consider upgrading you to a Level 2 boxer."
Rod nodded in agreement. "Jason's endurance has improved better than expected—much stronger than what our company initially projected. It seems his physical foundation is quite a bit better than most Asian fighters."
Jason Luo's concern was the fights. "Mr. Rod, after I'm upgraded, can you arrange a match for me right away?"
Rod shook his head. "Jason, arranging professional matches isn't that simple. After you're certified as a Level 2 boxer, we'll need to report it to the WBA. Then, based on your profile, we'll select potential opponents and initiate a challenge."
"But rankings are like a ladder to heaven for professional fighters. Everyone wants to climb up—no one wants to fall. Some even cling to their current rank, unwilling to risk losing it."
"Although boxing organizations require ranked fighters to accept or initiate at least two official bouts a year or lose their ranking, scheduling matches is still tough—especially for newcomers like you."
"We'll have to rely on our connections with the WBA to push for opportunities or arrange matches through mutual benefit with other promoters."
"And that's just one part of it. Choosing the right opponent is another challenge. For now, you can only challenge fighters ranked between 600 and 1000 in the WBA system. Out of those 400, we have to evaluate which ones make sense for you—then negotiate between your manager, your coach, and their camp to see if the match is even possible. The process is long and complicated."
Jason Luo finally understood the mess behind professional boxing logistics—but Rod wasn't finished.
"Jason, upgrading your qualification is just the first step. The company also needs to build your personal brand. I've watched your fights—you're good, with solid technique and fire."
"But it's not enough. You need to fight with more flair, more individuality. You have to stand out—make the crowd remember you."
Jason Luo felt dizzy. Fighting was already tough enough—now he had to learn to perform, too?
Rod chuckled. "That's just how it works. Think about it—why did Tyson's fame explode after the ear-biting incident? Why is Conor McGregor so wildly popular in the UFC? Beyond their victories, it's their distinctive personalities that left lasting impressions."
"So, Skill + Unique Personality = Commercial Value. And commercial value is the ultimate goal of professional boxing. Jason, if your popularity is high enough, your commercial worth alone will make fighters line up to face you—even if your ranking is low. That's the true rule of pro boxing."
Rod's words completely upended Jason Luo's understanding of professional boxing. When he turned to Coach Brown for confirmation, the coach only nodded slowly.
Rod patted Jason Luo on the shoulder. "That's why our next step is to give you a full-scale packaging. Don't worry—we'll be arranging fights alongside that."
"Packaging me? How do you package a person?"
"From head to toe," Rod said matter-of-factly. "We'll rework your image, your personality, your boxing style. You'll take part in exhibition matches, attend sports events to boost exposure, create a personal website, and connect more with fans. You'll get used to it."
He circled Jason Luo a few times, inspecting him. "Let's start with your appearance. You need a new hairstyle. Your physique and face are great, but that haircut is too plain. Also, you lack presence. I'd suggest a tattoo."
"A tattoo? Of what?"
"Something that represents your beliefs—or something you love most. It's your choice, of course. But I'd recommend something bold, something powerful. Of course, if you want your girlfriend's face tattooed, that's your business."
Jason Luo glanced down at his bare skin. He did feel something was missing when standing in the ring. "Alright. I'll talk it over with my father. I don't have a girlfriend yet, so I'll have to think about what to get."
Rod laughed. "No girlfriend yet? Easy fix! Once you've built a bit of fame, I'll introduce you to a girl from the music scene. I used to be a music agent—got plenty of those around. You'll be satisfied, trust me."
Jason couldn't help but think—so Mr. Rod Smith also doubles as a matchmaker…
Upgrading to a Level 2 professional boxer turned out to be fairly simple. After a brief medical exam and a few basic tests, Jason passed without issue.
That night, Jason brought up the tattoo idea to his father, Henry Luo. Henry hesitated, worried it might make it harder for Jason to find a girlfriend in the future.
Jason grinned. "It's fine. I'll get it on my back—no one will see it when I'm dressed. I just want something powerful, something that represents my beliefs... I just don't know what yet."
Henry thought for a while. "Our culture has always viewed the dragon as a symbol of strength and power—but just a dragon feels a bit too ordinary. I've got it! How about a pillar entwined with a dragon? That would look impressive."
"Does it mean something?"
"Of course. The pillar stands for integrity and justice, while the dragon wrapped around it shows determination and strength of will. It's also a meaningful symbol of our heritage and values."
Jason liked the idea immediately. But Henry thought that if he chose that design, it would look better on the arm than the back.
Jason then explained BX's plan for his upcoming personal branding. When Henry heard they wanted to build Jason a personal website, his eyes lit up. "That's perfect! I used to be a software engineer. I can handle the website myself—maintenance, updates, fan communication, all of it. You just focus on training."
His father, having been idle at home for a while, seemed thrilled to have something meaningful to do again. Jason felt truly fortunate—maybe it was true what they say: surviving great trials brings future blessings...
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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