"Good! Well done, Matthew!"
"Use your backhand punch! Yes, just like that!"
"Matthew, come on! Beat that bastard Nebula down!"
At the boxing training ground of the fitness club, more than twenty people stood by the ring, watching two burly men fight on the stage, occasionally letting out shouts.
The two men grappling in the ring were Matthew and his coach, Nebula, but both wore full protective gear.
Almost everyone watching was cheering for Matthew, not because they were on his side, but because boxing coach Nebula had never lost at the fitness club, and they all hoped to see someone defeat him.
Matthew had been on the defensive. Although his previous self had a lot of experience in street fights, he had only been exposed to professional training for just over a month, and he couldn't compare to Nebula, who had trained for years.
Modern competitive combat involves systematic scientific training. In a one-on-one fight without weapons, ordinary people simply cannot compete with professional athletes.
However, compared to Nebula, Matthew also had his strengths. Especially since they had fought many matches recently, he had gained some experience and lessons from continuous defeats.
He was not as strong as Nebula, and there was a difference in weight, but his footwork was very flexible. After a period of training, his body coordination and agility were also better, so circling and dodging was his only chance.
If he were to go head-to-head, Nebula's backhand heavy punch would teach him a good lesson.
When they first started sparring, Matthew lacked experience and took many of Nebula's backhand heavy punches, and as a non-professional, his resistance to blows was limited.
People below the ring kept making noise, many shouting encouragement, but Matthew remained unmoved, fully utilizing the advantage of his flexible footwork, constantly moving around the ring, occasionally using his lead jab to harass Nebula, not giving him a chance to fight up close.
This strategy was very effective. Matthew, for the first time in his matches against Nebula, lasted until the third round, which was also the last round of this purely amateur training match.
Nebula was older than him, heavier than him, and consumed more energy than him. This was the effect Matthew wanted.
He continued to circle, while looking for an opportunity to strike. Nebula's speed was noticeably slower than in the previous two rounds. After fending off a few of Matthew's lead jabs, his previously tight defense showed a gap on the right side of his face, exposing his right cheek, which was protected by headgear.
Matthew knew the opportunity was rare and immediately used his speed to close in. His left fist, which had been hidden behind him, flashed out like lightning, striking heavily on Nebula's face guard. Then his right fist struck, hitting Nebula's headgear again.
Subsequently, he unleashed a flurry of combination punches like raindrops on Nebula's body.
Nebula covered his head with both hands, seemingly only able to parry and unable to retaliate, but he was a professional fighter with excellent resistance to blows. He only retreated defensively and showed no panic at all.
Matthew's offensive didn't last too long. He quickly felt his arms growing weak and knew he couldn't knock Nebula down. After one more heavy punch to suppress him, he quickly pulled back.
Nebula's counterattack followed, and Matthew quickly dodged, continuing to circle until he finally lasted until the end of the third round.
The two temporary referees briefly discussed and one of them loudly announced, "Nebula wins on points!"
"Nebula won again!"
"I thought Matthew could win one..."
A wave of disappointment spread around the boxing ring, and the spectators gradually dispersed.
With the help of the staff, Matthew removed his boxing gloves and protective gear, and walked two laps around the ring with Nebula. After his breathing had somewhat calmed, he picked up water and started drinking.
"If I were a few years older, I wouldn't have been able to withstand your attack in the third round." Nebula capped his water bottle, leaning on the ring's railing, and said to Matthew, "Your strategy is very sound."
Matthew also leaned on the railing, "But the training isn't enough, and my punches still aren't strong enough."
Nebula chuckled, "I'm a boxer who has competed in professional American matches. Even though I'm older, my resistance to blows is still there." He reached out and patted Matthew's arm, "You're very good. Your strength, coordination, and agility can all be considered first-class among amateur fighters, and you've only been training for less than two months."
Matthew shrugged. It was quite obvious that the previous Matthew was typically simple-minded and well-built. If he had pursued a professional sports career, he might have made a name for himself.
"I think you chose the wrong profession." Nebula, who had been Matthew's boxing coach recently, felt he had a clear understanding. "You shouldn't be an actor!"
Matthew asked curiously, "Why?"
Nebula didn't seem to be joking. "I think you have the potential to become a professional combat athlete. If you underwent professional training, it's possible you could even compete in the UFC. The only problem is that you're a bit old now."
He patted Matthew's arm again, "If you're interested, I can introduce you to a coach."
"I'll pass." Matthew declined without even thinking. "I think being a Hollywood star has more prospects. If I become an action star in the future, it wouldn't be a waste of my talent."
Nebula nodded, "That's true, your natural conditions are excellent!" He spoke bluntly, "Purely in terms of physical condition, you are much stronger than Hugh Jackman, whom I coached before."
Matthew smiled, not responding to his comment, but instead extended his hand and touched Nebula's fist, "Thank you for your guidance during this time. We'll continue once I'm done with my work."
This was his last day of training. Three days later, he was to report to Universal Studios, where the *Fast & Furious* crew was located, to participate in the pre-filming training organized by the crew.
"Good luck!" Nebula and Matthew got along well. "Become a big star soon!"
"Thank you!"
Matthew left the boxing training ground, showered, and went home. That night, Britney secretly came over for a tryst with him, but as before, Britney returned home after nine o'clock.
After this, neither of them had time. Britney had to prepare for the MTV Music Awards; walking the red carpet was much more troublesome for a female celebrity than for a man. Matthew, meanwhile, joined the *Fast & Furious* crew and began a five-day training period.
The training was much simpler than he had imagined. The action director personally taught the actors with action scenes. The course was mainly divided into two parts: first, how to cooperate with the crew during action scenes, which was arguably the most crucial aspect, as fight scenes in films are completely different from reality; second, safety issues during filming.
"We're fine, the dangerous action scenes all have stunt doubles..."
During a break, a tall, slender actor with short, golden hair said to Matthew, "You're in trouble, you have to do both your scenes yourself."
Matthew smiled and shrugged, "I'm used to it." He deliberately said, "Paul, I'm an expert at this!"
The person speaking to him was Paul Walker, one of the male leads of the crew. There were only five or six people participating in the training in total, and he had gotten to know most of them in a few days, especially Paul Walker, as a male lead.
After observing for a few days, Matthew found Paul Walker to be easygoing, good-tempered, and friendly with people. He could be considered one of the nicest actors he had met who had some fame.
Paul Walker shook his head, indicating disbelief.
Matthew flexed his arm, showing the biceps hidden under his T-shirt, "I just started boxing a while ago and can fight against professional athletes!"
"You're just bragging." Paul Walker smiled.
"I'm a very honest person, I don't like to brag." Matthew looked at the other actors participating in the training and asked, "Why haven't I seen the other lead?"
The training was almost over, and Vin Diesel had not yet appeared.
"He won't be participating in the training." Paul Walker shook his head. "I heard from my agent that he's been negotiating with the crew, demanding more screen time for Dominic Toretto..."
"Oh?" Matthew asked curiously, "Isn't he very famous? He can still bargain with the crew?"
Paul Walker had clearly done his research. "Vin Diesel has starred in films with multi-million dollar investments, and this time he also brought in most of the investment for the crew. Although he isn't credited as a producer, he has a say in many matters. Originally, Dominic Toretto was just a pure supporting character, but after he took the role, the script was revised several times and he became one of the dual protagonists."
Matthew nodded, "So that's how it is."
The five days of training flew by, and Vin Diesel never appeared until the training ended.
However, Matthew didn't care about such things. He was only playing a small role with a few scenes and would soon leave the crew, so he probably wouldn't have much interaction with the people from this crew.
Filming for *Fast & Furious* soon began, and Matthew joined the shoot on the third day after the crew started principal photography.