Chapter 3: Enlightenment of the Use of Power

The phrase "It's not too late to practice after you graduate from university!" echoed in Wang Hao's mind. In his previous life, persuaded by his parents, he temporarily abandoned his dream. When he returned to it years later, he was already in his thirties. Lian Po was old!

After graduating, Wang Hao had a good job and was financially stable, but he always felt there should be more to life. When he resumed boxing, he discovered that his purest dream had been buried but was still deeply rooted in his heart. Though ravaged and cracked, it remained stubborn and immortal, waiting for the power of spring to awaken it.

Living a lifetime, Wang Hao would no longer let his ideals fall asleep. He must seize the best time in his life to let his dreams grow and bloom to their fullest.

Boxing was definitely in his future, but Wang Hao did not intend to strain his relationship with his parents. He planned to let them subconsciously accept his boxing practice through his actions.

Suddenly, a famous saying flashed in Wang Hao's mind: You beat you, I beat mine!

At this time, Dongyue City did not have self-selected supermarkets. The largest shopping center was the People's Commercial Building. Customers could only choose goods from outside the counter, and the goods were not delivered.

After picking for a while, Wang Lizhi chose a Konka 21 Village color TV and counted the cash to the salesperson. The salesperson at the counter lazily counted the money again and then asked someone to pick up a product from the warehouse.

Wang Hao's family background was not wealthy, but his parents had formal jobs. They could have bought a TV in the past few years, but they were afraid Wang Hao would develop the habit of watching TV and delay his studies, so they never did.

If there were any TV programs he wanted to watch, like the Spring Festival Gala, he would go to Uncle Zhang's house next door.

Wang Lizhi was a football coach at a sports school and a standard football fan. This year, the Liaoning team shone in the Asian Club Cup, winning the championship without losing a game. Naturally, Wang Lizhi watched all the games at Uncle Zhang's house.

He often brought a few bottles of beer and peanuts to drink and watch with Uncle Zhang. They cheered passionately, sometimes affecting the study and rest of Uncle Zhang's daughter. Eventually, Uncle Zhang's wife protested. After Wang Lizhi knew it, he was embarrassed to go again.

On the way back, Wang Hao passed by the Taishan Boxing Club again. He admired the strength training equipment, pear balls, hanging sandbags, and young boxers fighting fiercely on the ring. Wang Hao slowed down, meticulously admiring the scene, feeling the excitement of his ideals, and experiencing the thrill of fistfights.

He felt like one of the fighters on the ring, with flexible and vigorous footwork, unpredictable movements, fast and powerful punches, and a relentless momentum to destroy any opponent.

Wang Lizhi was immersed in the anticipation of watching the Liaoning team and Nissan team match that night. Suddenly, he felt the speed of the tricycle slowing down. He looked up and saw Wang Hao riding slowly, his spirit projected into the Taishan Boxing Club. Just as he was about to reprimand him, he noticed the enthusiasm and focus in Wang Hao's eyes, and an astonishing aura that made him hesitate.

For some reason, this look reminded him of Maradona on the football field and Jordan on the basketball court. At that moment, he felt an emotion that was difficult to appear in a father.

When they got home and had dinner, the father and son eagerly started setting up the TV.

The outdoor antenna was already set up, just needed connecting.

There was no cable TV in Dongyue City. All programs were received through outdoor antennas, affected by the weather. On clear days, only CCTV No. 1 and provincial TV stations could be watched.

Wang Lizhi and Wang Hao wanted to watch the provincial TV station because that night there was a fixed sports program - "Wonderful Competition."

That night, the match between the Liaoning team and the Nissan team would be replayed. Wang Lizhi had to watch it. Wang Hao was looking forward to the classic boxing match videos occasionally played on "Wonderful Competition."

Finally, at half past eight, "Wonderful Competition" began!

The young male host announced in heartfelt words: "Tonight's 'Wonderful Competition' will first bring you a classic heavyweight professional boxing match from 1974: the rumble in the jungle between former world heavyweight champion Ali and the current champion Foreman. Then, we will replay the final game of this year's Asian Club Cup, where the Liaoning team played against the Nissan team."

"Tonight, there will be a rumble in the jungle! Wang Hao was delighted, "I'm really lucky."

The rumble in the jungle was a crucial match in Ali's career. He defeated the formidable George Foreman, who was highly favored. This match significantly contributed to Ali's fame and admiration worldwide.

Ali entered professional boxing in 1960. At 22, he challenged the heavyweight champion sonny "the big bear" Liston and won in seven rounds. This match was the best boxing match of 1964.

However, Ali's career faced setbacks. In 1967, he was stripped of his boxing license and imprisoned for refusing to serve in Vietnam. After returning in 1971, he lost to heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, experiencing his first career defeat.

Before the 1974 rumble in the Jungle Foreman was at his peak, winning 37 KO victories in 40 games.

Ali lost to Frazier in 1971, while Foreman defeated Frazier in 1973, knocking him down six times in two rounds. Thus, few believed Ali could beat Foreman.

But Ali won, knocking out Foreman in the eighth round, showcasing his greatness.

Foreman represented absolute power. He could knock down Frazier six times in two rounds without injury. Ali, with less power, still knocked down Foreman. How?

Wang Hao pondered how to train and apply strength in professional boxing. This fight might provide the answer.

In his past life, Wang Hao watched this match for its excitement, not to learn skills. He mainly studied middleweight champions from the late 1990s to the early 21st century.

"Tonight, I should review this fight, and study how to better train and apply strength in professional boxing," Wang Hao thought, focusing on the match.

Wang Lizhi also watched with great interest. Though he loved football, he appreciated all competitive sports for their pursuit of human limits.

At the start, Ali attacked with quick jabs and backhands to suppress Foreman and affect his psyche.

For most of the next round, Ali actively attacked, but Foreman's resistance was strong. Ali's attacks seemed insignificant to Foreman, who focused on defense.

After a few rounds, Ali retreated and fought defensively, leaning against the ropes. Wang Hao realized Ali was counterattacking, having gauged Foreman's heavy punches.

In the following rounds, Ali continued this tactic: retreat when Foreman advanced, counterattack when Foreman retreated, avoiding direct confrontation, and conserving energy.

Foreman, confident in his strength, pushed Ali to the ropes but failed to land decisive blows due to Ali's defense and rope technique. As Foreman exhausted himself, Ali counterattacked at the end of each round, leaving Foreman continuously fatigued.

By the eighth round, Ali sensed Foreman's weakening punches and attacked. He counterattacked near the ropes, delivering several heavy blows, knocking Foreman down. The referee ended the match, declaring Ali the winner, to the crowd's excitement.

The match ended, but Wang Hao pondered its lessons. Foreman had superior strength, but Ali's defense and tactics won the match. Strength alone wasn't enough without strategic application.

Wang Hao realized that in boxing, strength, movement, and speed are all essential. Having a strength advantage is good, but overconfidence can be detrimental.

Between opponents of the same weight, even if one has superior strength, without hitting the key, it's difficult to knock down the other. Foreman's heavy punches mostly landed on Ali's arms and gloves, unable to knock him down.

Wang Hao now had a clear answer on how to balance strength training with other aspects of boxing.

Excited by his newfound clarity, Wang Hao clenched his fists, ready to start regular physical training, aiming to meet the standards for entering the school's sports specialty students and pave the way for future entry into the sports school.