Chapter 23: The Fight Ends (Please Recommend and Support)

###

"Referee, what's going on?"

Richard asked, puzzled.

The referee glanced at him, "Don't you understand?"

"Understand what? This is my first professional boxing match; I'm not familiar with some instructions."

"You'll understand soon enough."

The referee closed his mouth again.

Montel approached, his right eye covered with thick bandages, looking like a one-eyed pirate king.

"Montel, are you okay?"

Richard asked.

"Hypocrite!"

Montel turned his head away, ignoring him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please pay attention!"

The announcer took the microphone on stage,

"Black corner fighter Montel Griffin has decided to forfeit the match due to a severe brow ridge injury, making the winner Richard Blade~~~~"

The referee raised Richard's arm.

"Huh?"

Richard was stunned. He won? This didn't match the script.

According to the plan, they would fight until the third round when Montel's severe injury would force the referee to stop the match, resulting in Richard winning by TKO.

Now, with Montel forfeiting, Richard would miss out on a lot of money.

How could this happen?

He looked at Montel with a hint of resentment, couldn't you hold on just a bit longer?

Montel was taken aback, you won and you resent me? What's the logic in that?

"Sorry, Montel, I didn't expect your injury to be this severe."

Richard walked over and shook his hand.

"Hmph, isn't this what you wanted? Precise strikes caused an open wound on my head, then you provoked me with words. Honestly, your mouth is more powerful than your fists."

Montel said, keeping a straight face.

"Sorry, I'll cover all your medical expenses."

"No need!"

Montel turned away with a dark expression.

Ah, what a mess, this ending is far from perfect.

Richard shook his head.

---

"... The winner is Richard Blade~~~"

Hearing the announcement, the audience was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly erupted into excitement.

"Richard won!!"

"Richard beat the champion!"

"Champion Richard!"

Many Richard supporters and those who bet on him winning cheered loudly.

Susan led the cheerleading squad of older women, starting a samba in the stands, making a tremendous noise.

---

"Richard won?"

Angela's eyes widened, "Gisele, your boyfriend is amazing!"

"The third round wasn't over, how did he win?"

Gisele was also puzzled.

"His opponent conceded."

"The champion would concede?"

"Haha, yes, Richard is incredible. He's the next champion, Gisele, you have a great eye."

Angela hugged her.

Gisele smirked, "I knew he was good, but not this good."

"Hmph, enjoy your moment!"

---

"Richard won?"

In the stands, Charles, who bet on Richard, laughed, "Richard said he could win, and he did, within ten rounds. Amazing."

"Charles, how much did you bet on Richard?"

Bar owner Johnson asked.

"Not much, just two thousand dollars."

"Two thousand? Oh my, you made a killing this time."

Johnson said enviously.

"Johnson, didn't you also bet on Richard?"

"Yes, but I didn't quite believe it, so I only bet a hundred dollars."

Johnson regretted it deeply.

"Haha, no worries, drinks are on me!"

"Alright, but not at my bar, or it'll be me buying."

"Hehe, you're so stingy!"

---

"Richard won?"

In the crowd, superstar Lewis was a bit surprised.

He knew Richard's boxing skills were good, but he didn't expect him to beat a real champion. This guy was more impressive than he thought.

"Bill, your new movie still needs a major supporting role. How about Richard?"

Lewis recommended to his companion.

"Him?"

The companion was a bit surprised, "Isn't he a boxer?"

"Hehe, he's also an actor, registered with the actors' guild. He did a couple of scenes with me in 'For the Sake of Love,' and his acting was decent."

Lewis said.

"Really?"

The companion sized up Richard on stage, "He has a great image and presence, very fitting for the role. Daniel, can you introduce us?"

"Of course, let's go talk to him!"

Lewis and his companion stood up.

---

"Richard won?"

In the VIP box, Andy was stunned.

"Haha, yes boss, congratulations on a big win."

A subordinate congratulated loudly.

"Hmph!"

Andy glared at him and left the box.

The subordinate scratched his head, confused, "Why isn't the boss happy? Didn't he bet a lot on Richard?"

"Don't mention it. Before the match, the boss talked to Richard, asking if he was confident. Richard confidently said yes, guaranteeing victory within ten rounds. The boss thought he was too cocky and would lose, so he only bet a hundred dollars on him but put fifty thousand on Montel."

Andy’s assistant shook his head.

"Uh, the boss lost big!"

---

"Richard won? Montel forfeited?"

After the result, many who bet on Montel started complaining.

"I bet two hundred bucks on him, how could he forfeit?"

"Montel is the champion, how could he lose to a rookie?"

"I know, there's a fix! They're throwing the fight!"

"Andy must be behind this, that bastard's trying to cheat us!"

"Let's go find him!"

"Fix! Fix! Fix!"

A group of people waved their fists and went to confront Andy.

---

"Haha, Richard, we won, this is fantastic!"

On the ring, Paul laughed, raising his fists and shaking his hips, looking like a small-time thug.

"Why are you so happy about Richard winning? Didn't you bet on Montel?"

Anthony asked curiously.

"Haha, only a fool would bet on Montel. I've trained with Richard long enough to know his strength. There's no way I'd bet wrong."

Paul grinned, pulling out a few more betting slips from another pocket, "I bet five dollars on Montel and five thousand on Richard. Haha, I made a fortune."

"Then why were you provoking him before the match, hoping he'd lose?"

"I was motivating him, reverse psychology. Look, Richard won, and I deserve at least half the credit."

Paul said proudly.

"Hehe, you’re quite the schemer!"

"Of course, let's go celebrate with Richard!"

---

"Richard, congratulations!"

Off the ring, Gisele pushed through the crowd to Richard.

"Haha, thanks, Gisele. Can I hug you?"

Richard said, lifting her and spinning around.

"Put me down, I haven't agreed!"

Gisele blushed.

"Hehe, refusal denied!"

"You, bandit!"

Gisele bit her lip, inhaling his scent, feeling her body go soft.

"Richard, congratulations!"

"Richard, you're amazing!"

"Hahaha~ We're going to have a champion from the Bronx."

The crowd rushed over to celebrate.

Pop pop pop~

Champagne sprayed in the air, confetti flying everywhere.

Led by Paul, they lifted Richard and tossed him into the air.

"Wow~"

Richard was thrown high, grinning and making a 'V' sign at the camera on the ceiling.

Click~

The image froze.

(End of the chapter)