Chapter 26: Regretful About Not Cleaning Up

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"Hey, Richard, let's talk!"

At noon, Andy arrived at the gym and shouted from below the ring.

"Talk about what?"

Richard wiped off his sweat, told Paul to stop sparring for a moment, and approached Andy.

"You're entering the WBC light heavyweight championship contest?"

"Yes, you're well-informed!"

Richard smiled.

"Of course, I'm in the business now."

Andy handed over a business card that read "Starlight Sports Entertainment Promotion Company - General Manager and Chief Agent."

"Richard, you know how the professional boxing world works. For a boxer to succeed and become famous, besides having great strength, they also need a promotional company's packaging and promotion.

With a promotional company managing your affairs, you can access more resources, win the championship belt faster, and significantly increase your overall earnings.

Now that you're entering the professional boxing arena, it's time to consider signing with a promotional company. What do you think of Starlight Sports?"

Andy inquired.

Richard smiled slightly, "Are you inviting me to join?"

"Yes, I invited you once in the bar. You're a very promising boxer, and Starlight Sports has great potential too. If we work together, we can make significant strides in the sports world."

Andy clenched his fist, speaking with some excitement.

"You're right."

"So, you agree?"

"Oh no, I have a few questions first."

"What questions?"

"First!"

Richard raised a finger, "Someone contacted me five days after I defeated Montel, offering a signing bonus of one million dollars for a ten-year sports agent contract. How much can Starlight Sports offer?"

"One million?"

Andy frowned, "Are you kidding me?"

"I'm serious."

Richard went to the edge of the ring and took out a business card from his backpack, showing it was from a sports promotion company in New Jersey.

"Did you sign it?"

Andy asked.

"No, ten years is too long, one million is too little. They underestimated my value. How could I agree? So, Andy, how much can you offer as a signing bonus?"

Andy tugged at the corner of his mouth. This time, he only brought his words and sincerity, not money. What should he do?

"Do you think you can get my agent contract without spending a dollar?" Richard laughed. "Andy, defeating Montel proves I have the strength to challenge the current light heavyweight champion. Is it possible to sign a potential champion without real money?"

"Richard, money isn't an issue. Starlight Sports isn't short of cash."

Andy waved generously.

"Really? Since we're old acquaintances, my demand isn't high: five years, one million dollars, and I'll sign with Starlight."

"One million?"

Andy grimaced. Starlight Sports' entire value was just over a million. Giving him a million was like giving away the whole company.

"What do you think?"

Richard asked.

Andy took off his hat and scratched his semi-bald head, "Richard, don't just focus on money. We should consider development. If you join Starlight, you can quickly become famous and earn five to ten million. This is just the beginning. You can't put too much weight on money."

Andy said earnestly.

"Okay, let's talk development. Can you show me your plan?"

"What plan?"

Andy frowned.

"Of course, a development plan for my future and how Starlight plans to promote me. Did you bring it?"

"..."

Can I just bring my mouth?

Andy was a bit frantic. After deciding to go straight, he gradually let go of gang affairs and started managing Starlight personally.

Yesterday, the company held a meeting to discuss Richard's matter. They believed Richard, who defeated Montel and was handsome, was a potential stock, and signing him now would be very profitable.

Andy agreed and decided to personally secure Richard's contract.

Thinking about himself, a big boss, handling such a small matter, Richard would be grateful and beg to sign.

But the result was far from the expectation.

This guy opened with a one million signing bonus, shocking him, then asked for a plan. What was that?

Andy scratched his head again, accidentally pulling out a few hairs.

He regretted it. Doing legitimate work was too damaging to his hair. He lost more than half of the hair he grew while in the gang. He should not have cleaned up.

"Richard, stop beating around the bush. We're friends. You don't need a plan. As long as you agree to join, I promise you won't be treated unfairly."

Andy put on his boss demeanor.

Richard smirked, "Andy, this isn't a business attitude. Agency matters are like betting. If you believe in me, bet on me. If not, forget it. You keep saying you believe in me but show no sincerity. How can I trust you for cooperation?"

"My presence here is sincerity."

Andy said solemnly.

"Yes, but your sincerity didn't move me. I will become a champion, a boxing legend. If I casually hand over my agency, it's irresponsible to myself."

"Hmph, you do think highly of yourself."

Andy sneered.

"Yes, because I have the strength."

Richard waved his fist and smiled.

Andy turned to Paul, "You're good too. Want to join Starlight?"

"Me too?"

Paul asked excitedly.

"Yes, your potential isn't less than Richard's. No, it's greater."

"Really? Haha~"

Paul grinned at Richard, feeling proud.

Andy smiled, "Yes, you're a heavyweight. Heavyweights are the most sought-after in boxing. If you join Starlight, I'll treat you as a core."

"Okay, how much can you give me as a signing bonus? You said I have more potential than Richard and can earn more. That company offered him one million. I only ask for two hundred thousand."

Paul grinned, showing two fingers.

Andy's mouth twitched. What kind of people were these? One bolder than the other.

"Andy, don't leave. Two hundred thousand is negotiable. One hundred eighty thousand will do. Give me one hundred eighty thousand, and I'll be your man."

Paul shouted, extending his arm.

Hmph!

Andy ignored him and left the gym with his men.

"Sigh, one hundred eighty thousand won't do. One hundred fifty thousand is negotiable. At least make a counteroffer."

Paul sighed.

"How about signing with my company?"

Richard laughed.

"Yours? BAA?"

Paul asked disdainfully.

"Yes, Alvin plans to join BAA as my boxing agent. If you come, I'll arrange an agent for you too."

"How much can you give me as a signing bonus? I'm not asking much, just a friendship price, one hundred thousand!"

Paul raised a finger.

"Um... Paul, money is just a floating cloud. You can't take it too seriously."

"Haha, how about ten thousand?"

"Forget it, let's keep practicing!"

"Fuck, you won't even give ten thousand. You're stingier than Andy!"

Paul roared and threw a punch.

Richard blocked with his left hand and countered with his right.

Bang~ Bang Bang~

Punches flew, and the ring became lively again.

After practicing, Richard went to Manhattan in the afternoon to meet Bundchen for a date.

After nearly two months of dating, he was ready to take their relationship further.

(End of the chapter)