“Yes?”
“Mr. Chen, can I take some of your time?”
“Huh?” Chen Zhao was confused. Take what time?
“I already requested the school for a year off,” Tiger said. “I want to become a professional fighter and participate in this year’s WBA All-American Fighting Championship for the 200-kilogram class. But I don’t have a clear idea about my own abilities right now. I want to have three classes with you. I can pay you $30,000.”
“What do you want to learn in these three classes?” Chen Zhao asked.
“The first class, I want to do defense training,” Tiger said seriously. “Can you please train me in taking hits? The second class, offensive training. The third, I want Mr. Chen to seriously fight with me once.”
“Sure.” Chen Zhao needed money. After buying the RV, he had a severe loss in capital. He basically won’t reject anything that could get him money.
“So can we start the first class now?” Tiger asked.
“Okay.”
It was still early and Chen Zhao didn’t have anything else to do.
The boxing hall had many students and some teachers acting as temporary coaches. Most of the people there were just enthusiasts. There was practically no one who wanted to make boxing their future career like Tiger.
“Who’s that?”
“He actually dares to practice with Tiger?”
“Is he crazy?”
“Tiger took part in professional competitions before.”
Even though he’d done professional competitions before, they were mostly low-level ones. However, it was an unreachable level for the people in the school boxing hall.
Tiger even got a boxing license this year. He posed a certain threat in competitions.
One had to take part in fights against professionals. After your points reach a certain number, you’d be able to get a license.
Neither Chen Zhao nor Tiger cared about the whispers. Tiger asked Chen Zhao to give him lessons because he recognized Chen Zhao’s professional abilities.
He wasn’t very familiar with a professional’s skill level now. He had to first experience a professional’s abilities while measuring the difference between them.
Tiger held the cushion and wore protective gear; Chen Zhao put on boxing gloves.
“Let’s start,” Chen Zhao said. They touched fists.
“Why did Tiger find such a short guy to practice fighting?”
“That guy’s punches can’t have any power.”
“Any random member of the boxing club would be stronger than him, right?”
Thud.
Just then, a heavy thud came from the ring.
“Can you take that power?” Chen Zhao gave a test punch.
Everyone under the ring fell silent. The power in that punch was enough to shut them up.
“Yeah, it’s not enough. Can you use more force? Like when you hit me last time.”
“Okay.” Chen Zhao nodded. “Protect your head.” Tiger put the cushion over his head. Moving, Chen Zhao said, “I’m coming. Watch out.”
Thud—thud, thud—thud—thud, thud—
Chen Zhao’s punches were rhythmic, but this was only training for taking hits. He didn’t attack Tiger’s critical parts. Instead, he just hit the cushion.
This was to let Tiger feel where his endurance limit was. As Chen Zhao punched, he asked, “Is this force okay?”
“You can use more force.”
“Up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right, up, down, up, down…”
Chen Zhao punched more than 20 times and Tiger suddenly called out, “Stop. Stop.” As he spoke, he took two steps back. “Mr. Chen, let me recover.”
“Okay, tell me when you’re ready.”
Resting for three minutes, Tiger was back. “I’m good. Let’s keep going. We’ll do moving offense and defense now.”
“Sure.”
The two started moving. Chen Zhao still reminded Tiger while attacking, “Left, left, right, left, left, right, up, down, up, down, left, right…”
Thud, thud—thud—thud, thud—
“This guy is too strong.”
“He can actually force Tiger back.”
Tiger felt Chen Zhao’s power and speed. He must admit that he only understood how strong Chen Zhao truly was after training with him.
His past opponents couldn’t compare with Chen Zhao’s speed and power.
“Tiger, if you’re used to this force and frequency, I can make it harder. How about it?”
“Mr. Chen, this isn’t your limit?” Tiger couldn’t believe it.
“I’m coming. Watch out.”
“Up, down, up, down, left, right, left, right…”
Thud, thud, thud.
Tiger’s cushion produced a string of explosive sounds. He withstood it for a minute before calling a timeout.
“I need a break,” he said.
He must say that he’d learned a lot from practicing with Chen Zhao for this short while. He couldn’t improve by fighting with opponents weaker than himself. He could only improve and get a clear idea of himself by fighting with stronger ones.
An hour went by quickly. Tiger could barely lift his arms anymore. He took off the protective gear with difficulty.
“Thank you, Mr. Chen.”
“I’m going now.” Chen Zhao hugged Tiger.
To Tiger, this was an extremely hard practice session. To Chen Zhao, it was only a comfortable warmup.
…
Urgat brought his students to his friend’s gym.
“Douglas, you look like you got stronger.” Urgat hugged Zanla Douglas tightly.
Zanla Doughlas let go of Urgat and looked at the swim team members behind him. “These kids are your students?”
“Yes, they’re the elites of our swim team.” Urgat introduced all his students.
“Are you Mr. Zanla Douglas?” One of the students recognized him. “You’re the one who won the golden belt at the WBA All-American Fighting Championship last year?”
“Haha… Kid, you watch the fights?” Zanla said, laughing heartily. He was obviously happy to be recognized.
“Of course. I really liked your match. Mr. Douglas, will you attend this year?”
“Of course. Not only WBA, but I’ll also be in the World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation competitions. My goal is to get the golden belt in at least three events. Next year, I’ll go to the WBO and WBPF. I’ll try to get all the golden belts in three years.”
“Douglas, you should have no matches in the boxing world now, right?”
“Ha… I can’t say I’m undefeatable, but I’m in pretty good shape.”