Chapter 20: I'll Treat You to a Drink When You're Out of the Hospital**

**

"Are you Richard?"

On the boxing ring, Montel glared at him with wide eyes. "I've watched your matches. You're fast, and your jab is impressive, but it's useless against me."

"I've studied your tapes too. You have a powerful punch," Richard replied with a smile.

"Yet you still dare to fight?" Montel asked.

"Of course. The charm of boxing lies in defeating one formidable opponent after another and becoming an immortal legend."

"Haha, well said. If we weren't in the ring, I'd invite you for a drink," Montel laughed, baring his thick lips.

"It's not too late to drink after the fight."

"Fine. When you're out of the hospital, I'll treat you to a drink."

"That's what I was going to say to you," Richard said, blinking.

"Haha, kid, I hope you can survive the first round," Montel said, waving his fist and returning to his corner.

Richard smiled lightly and walked back to the left corner.

"How is he?" Alvin asked.

"He's a very steady guy, not as aggressive as other black boxers."

"Ahem, are you talking about me?" Paul said, holding a water bottle and towel.

"Get out of here!" Alvin glared at him, took the water bottle, and handed it to Richard.

Richard waved his hand. "To deal with someone like him, we need to play it safe. Luckily, our plan is to fight a positional battle."

"As long as you know what you're doing," Alvin said, patting his shoulder.

Ding ding ding~

The bell rang at the referee's table, signaling the start of the match.

Richard put in his mouthguard and slowly walked to the center of the ring.

The referee began checking their gloves, wraps, mouthguards, and shorts.

Their gear was up to professional match standards: gloves weighing 284 grams, light and comfortable. Wearing gloves increases cushioning, reduces the power of punches, and protects opponents from severe injuries while also protecting the boxer's fingers and wrists from dislocation.

The wraps were tied at the back of the gloves, with the ends taped to prevent slipping.

After the inspection, the referee stepped back and waved his hand, "Box!"

The match began.

"Come on, come on!"

"Go Richard!"

"Go Montel!"

The audience shouted a few times before quieting down.

The commentators also fell silent, watching the confrontation in the ring.

The two men started with tentative attacks, jumping on their feet.

Richard kept his guard up, eyes fixed on Montel.

Montel's right hand was devastating, usually keeping his left hand low near his chin, a stance that improved speed and punching angle.

Bam!

Richard slid forward, throwing a punch.

As soon as it made contact, Montel's right fist quickly countered, like a snake striking at Richard's face.

Richard dodged, the punch too powerful and fastâ€"being hit could mean a KO.

He nimbly stepped back to create distance.

As soon as he retreated, Montel charged in, right fist aiming destructively at his head.

Retreating was no longer an option. Richard ignored Montel's punch, throwing a flurry of quick jabs.

Bam bam bam~

The two exchanged a series of punches.

Richard had a longer reach, ten centimeters more than Montel, and he was faster.

He threw four punches, two landingâ€"one grazing Montel's cheek, the other hitting his right eyebrow.

But Richard got hit too, and it was a heavy blow.

Montel's punch landed squarely on his left cheek, knocking him back, his head buzzing.

"Wooo~ Both fighters are engaging fiercely in the first round. Montel's right punch hit Richard's cheek. We know Montel's punches pack over 800 pounds of force. Can Richard hold on?" the commentator shouted passionately.

The audience watched closely.

After Richard got hit, the referee paused the match, standing in front of Richard for a few seconds.

This was to protect the boxer who got hit. If the count started, Montel would get ten points, while Richard's punch would only earn three.

In this exchange, Richard lost.

"Can you continue?" the referee asked.

"I'm fine!" Richard shook his head and resumed bouncing on his feet.

"Hey, you're tough!" Montel grinned.

Richard smirked. "Can your punches be any harder?"

"What? Humph, kid, I'll KO you with the next punch!" Montel snapped.

"Box!" The referee stepped back, and they clashed again.

Bam bam~ bam~

"Good! Hit his left cheek! Harder! Damn, he dodged again. Montel, you have to step up. You're the champion; can you be more decisive?" Harold, the diner owner, shouted, waving his fists.

"Wait, Harold, you're cheering for Montel?" Mike frowned.

"So what? Don't think I don't know. You may shout for Richard, but deep down, you want Montel to win. Hypocrites!" Harold sneered.

"Nonsense. Richard is my friend. I firmly support his win," Mike said.

"Really? Then show everyone the betting slips in your pocket. Who did you bet on?"

"I... but I still hope Richard wins."

"Haha~ Montel, hit harder! Heavy punches. Haha, another hit," Harold cheered, shaking his fists excitedly.

The two in the ring had another fierce exchange.

Richard abandoned defense, throwing five quick jabs. With his long reach and speed, three were blocked, but two hit Montel's nose and eyebrow.

But the cost of abandoning defense was a heavy punch to his jaw, knocking out his mouthguard.

The referee paused the match again.

From the look of things, Richard was behind.

"Hiss~ That punch was brutal. After the match, Richard might not be able to eat an apple," Mike said, touching his chin.

"Hurry up, no more pauses!" Harold growled, waving his fists.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" Mike asked, puzzled.

"Fuck, I bet on Montel winning by KO in the first round. The first round is almost over. Can you blame me?" Harold replied angrily.

"Hurrying won't help. Listen~" Mike said.

Ding ding ding~

The first three-minute round ended.

"Damn it, Richard took two punches and didn't go down. Montel is disappointing," Harold fumed.

"Haha, Harold, you underestimate Richard. He's fought many cage fights and MMA matches. His resilience and endurance are outstanding. If he couldn't survive the first round, how could he be the undefeated underground boxing god?" Mike laughed.

"Hmph, so what did you bet on?"

"I bet on Montel winning by TKO in the first match," Mike replied.

"Richard can hold the first round?"

Harold shook his head.

In professional boxing, a match has twelve rounds, with four rounds per match. Each match is scored by referees, with three rounds determining the winner.

Last time, Montel and Roy Jones Jr. scored 118:110 and 111:102 in the first two rounds. Montel lost his title defense with a 2-1 match record.

This time, in the first match, first round, the score was 2:8 (10-point system), with Richard significantly behind.

Ding ding ding~

The second round began.

Bam bam~

Having fired up in the first round, they clashed fiercely in the second, fighting intensely.

"Go Richard!"

"Champion Montel, hit hard!"

"Heavy punches! Heavy punches! Hit hard! Go!"

The audience's cheers pierced the Bronx night sky.

(End of chapter)