182 Sparring: Still Not Used to the Boxing Ring

The negotiations for the agreement were a source of satisfaction for both parties involved. They were to cooperate directly, establishing a connection that had not previously existed in their respective careers. Golovkin, as expected, was earning an impressive hourly wage for his efforts. While that hour may seem excessive, for Ye Chen, it was a small price to pay for the expertise he was about to gain. However, as of now, the two had yet to commence any official training together. The media, ever vigilant, captured images of the two walking side by side, their presence igniting a frenzy of speculation online.

In the midst of this evolving situation, Ye Chen found himself alongside Golovkin, and the internet quickly exploded in response. Comments cascaded through social media, with users drawing their own conclusions:

[It's a done deal, Ava!]

[Did Ye Chen really hire Golovkin as a sparring partner in preparation for the fight?]

[It's hard to believe he actually chose Ava.]

[What a commendable fighter! He didn't compromise his values for cash.]

[Ye Chen is such an inspiring figure; I truly hope he finds success.]

[Wake up, everyone! Ye Chen has already achieved significant success.]

The buzz surrounding their partnership went viral. Analysts and commentators began to dissect the potential outcomes of the upcoming match, each trying to predict the implications of this new alliance. At this moment, Mei Weise reentered the conversation, fueled by prior knowledge that Ye Chen had yet to finalize his contract with Ava. He sensed an opportunity for himself. It wasn't so much that Mayweather was depending on Ye Chen; the reality was that there were very few contenders in the fighting realm who could stand a chance against him in a lucrative bout. Finally, he managed to connect the dots with Ye Chen, envisioning the millions tantalizingly close.

Then came the unexpected arrival of Golovkin. His instincts told him they were nearing the final stages of agreement. He shared a brief video that captured attention instantly. In the dimly lit space, piles of cash sprawled across a table in front of him. Anyone familiar with Mei Weise knew he had a penchant for dramatic gestures, and this was no exception. He nonchalantly picked up a few stacks of cash, tossing them towards the camera, exclaiming, "Ye Chen, you know, you've passed up an opportunity to reach the pinnacle of your life. The only way to achieve that is to step into the ring with me. Ava is merely one of my past victims."

He compared Golovkin to Ava, referring to him as a defeated general. The underlying implication was that inviting such a figure as a sparring partner was a questionable choice. Yet somehow, his flamboyant rhetoric managed to stir up interest for the impending match between Ye Chen and Ava.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had embarked on his initial training session with Golovkin. However, there was a catch: Golovkin proposed they simulate a genuine fight in the boxing ring. The motivation behind this sparring session was to tailor the training to suit Ye Chen's needs more effectively. For Golovkin to provide meaningful guidance, gaining insights into Ye Chen's strengths was paramount. This approach was not about imparting traditional lessons; instead, it focused on identifying and amplifying Ye Chen's inherent abilities to face Ava head-on.

As the scene unfolded, the two stood poised in the ring, devoid of any protective gear, donning merely the standard boxing gloves. According to Golovkin's perspective, Ye Chen first needed to familiarize himself with the weight of traditional boxing gloves and absorb the impact of genuine punches. Wearing protective gear essentially diminished the real effects of training, which he deemed counterproductive.

Ye Chen had no objections to this; accepting Golovkin's guidance was a sign of trust, and questioning it would be futile. They were simply there to practice.

In the opening moments of their sparring, they exchanged a fist bump, and Ye Chen's movements were quick and agile, reminiscent of pirate footwork. Suddenly, Golovkin, despite being over 40, demonstrated impressive speed. A jab, executed with skill, shot toward Ye Chen's face. Reacting swiftly, Ye Chen bounced back, deflecting the jab with an adept motion.

"Nice response! Your pace is impeccable, especially for someone hailing from the MMA world!" Golovkin applauded, impressed by Ye Chen's abilities. Having reviewed countless tapes of Ye Chen's fights prior to their session, Golovkin had formed a foundational understanding of his new sparring partner's capabilities.

Ye Chen had also studied Golovkin's matches against Ava and was fully prepared for the threat of Golovkin's jab.

"Bang, bang, bang." A quick and powerful combination ensued. Although only the torso strikes effectively landed, the force behind each punch left Ye Chen momentarily stunned. This was an opponent worthy of his champion title, boasting precision and strength. In terms of striking prowess, he had never faced anyone quite like this.

After feeling the brief sting of those punches, Ye Chen quickly recalibrated his strategy, deciding against relying solely on nimble footwork for defense, as that approach had proven ineffective. Instead, he began to manage the distance using his own jabs, aware that his wingspan significantly surpassed his opponent's.

"Bang, bang, bang." The rapid-fire jabs were not particularly forceful but were executed with such speed that they compelled Golovkin to adjust his distance, bending his arms and protecting his head against the flurry of blows. Unfortunately for Ye Chen, Golovkin's defenses were formidable.

Then, with a sudden twist of his hips and the elevation of his shoulders, Ye Chen transformed a simple jab into a more powerful strike. In that brief moment, Golovkin, accustomed to pressing forward, hesitated. Seizing that opportunity, Ye Chen swiftly advanced and delivered a powerful backhand. With a booming sound, his fist grazed Golovkin's arm before connecting with his head.

Golovkin staggered back, astonished, reflecting on the necessity of reassessing his approach. Despite sufficient preparation for sparring with Ye Chen, it was challenging to shift one's mindset abruptly. In the back of his mind, he still regarded Ye Chen through a lens of underestimation, realizing that to do otherwise could lead to his downfall.

Stunned by the initial punch, Ye Chen pressed his advantage and executed another uppercut. "Bang." Though it struck squarely against Golovkin's defense, it was a solid hit nonetheless.

Ye Chen smirked, not out of triumph, but rather at the ironic realization of his own limitations. Had he been wearing the smaller gloves typically used in UFC bouts, he likely would have penetrated Golovkin's guard and landed a chin shot. Instead, the larger boxing gloves rendered such a strategy ineffective.