Chapter 18: Southeast Regional Finals

After winning the Golden Gloves Florida state championship in Orlando, Link received a gold medal, five sets of sportswear sponsored by the Amateur Boxing Association, and a $5,000 cash prize.

Just a day later, he and West took the Silver Star train to Charleston, South Carolina, for the Southeast regional competition.

The Southeast region included fourteen states, such as Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. The top three in each weight class from each state qualified for the competition, and a total of 42 boxers participated in the super middleweight category.

After four rounds, Link once again reached the finals, and with a record of all KOs, causing a huge sensation in the arena and the amateur boxing circle.

Almost all amateur boxers knew that there was a boxer from Miami who specialized in knocking out opponents, always knocking them unconscious in every match. He was thus nicknamed "The Anesthetist."

His first nickname was "The Miami Boxing Prince," given by his fans.

Due to his high-profile performance in previous matches, his signature move and tactics had been studied by his opponents, who stayed up late before the matches, trying to find ways to counter his moves and tactics.

This also made his subsequent matches extremely difficult.

In the semifinals, his opponent was an Italian-American boxer with exceptional skills, good technique, and fast speed. He dodged Link's "backhand punch" at the beginning of the match, causing a gasp from the audience. Everyone knew that Link's backhand punch was very powerful.

From the start of the competition until now, no one had ever dodged it. This time, the opponent avoided it, and everyone felt that Link might experience his first defeat since his debut.

Unfortunately, they were disappointed.

Although his signature move was dodged, Link was not discouraged. He still had his heavy punches. In the following six rounds, he threw a total of 286 punches, attacking over forty times per round, the highest number and frequency of punches he had thrown in all his previous matches.

Of the 286 punches, 48 hit the opponent's head, knocking him down 7 times. The last time, he used a swift straight punch to completely knock the opponent to the ground, unable to get up for ten seconds.

He won the match with difficulty.

"Link, how are you?"

West saw him sweating profusely, his arm and leg muscles trembling non-stop, knowing this was a symptom of overexertion. He quickly had Reggie and Mario help him lie down and rest, and asked the accompanying masseur to massage his muscles.

"I'm fine, just a bit exhausted."

Link took a sip of water and wrapped himself in a towel to prevent water loss.

West frowned at him and sighed, "Link, maybe we should change the plan. The goal of winning all matches by KO is too unrealistic."

"That's right, Link. There are many promoters from promotion companies here today, and they're scouting for talent. I think winning the match is the most important thing." Reggie fanned him with a towel from the side.

Link waved his hand and smiled, "No need to persuade me. This is the goal I set for myself. Since the goal has been set, I can't easily change it before I fail."

"Your opponent in the next match is very strong. In your current state, how can you KO him?" Mario said with a curled lip.

"I'll fight with all my might!"

Link clenched his fist, his eyes determined, his flying sword-like eyebrows as sharp as his fists.

The Southeast regional finals were held at 4 PM at the North Charleston Coliseum, attracting 12,000 spectators. Media outlets from various southeastern states, FOX News, HBO Sports, and other media sent reporters for live coverage.

"Link, you're about to face last year's US Amateur Championship runner-up, Jones Fallis. He's very strong. Will you still insist on ending this match by KO?"

A Miami Herald reporter asked.

"Yes, that's my goal. No matter how difficult it is, no matter how strong the opponent is, I will strive to achieve it."

Link responded in a gentle but firm voice.

"Link, what if you fail? Will you give up the competition?"

A reporter from The Tennessean asked.

"Fail? Sorry, I've never thought about failing, not here, not in Miami. So, Mr. Reporter, please don't mention the word 'fail' when interviewing me."

Link waved his fist and smiled.

"Link, congratulations on making it to the Southeast regional finals and successfully qualifying for the National Championship. What's your next goal?"

An HBO Sports reporter handed him a microphone and asked.

"Champion, of course it's the champion! I have no other choice."

Link raised his fist and said.

The interview ended.

The reporters left, leaving only two "SpongeBobs" on the ring - Link in a red sponge outfit and Jones Fallis in a blue sponge outfit.

Jones Fallis, African-American, 22 years old, from Tennessee, 192 cm tall, with a reach of 195 cm, and weighing 78.2 kg, was the runner-up in the light heavyweight category of last year's US National Amateur Championship.

To win the championship, Jones Fallis lost two kilograms before the competition and registered for the super middleweight category.

His characteristics were a small head, strong body, fast speed, good at quick attacks, and excellent defense. He was an all-around boxer with both offensive and defensive skills.

He had previously injured the noses of three opponents in light heavyweight amateur matches.

Currently, his amateur record was 28 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw in 32 fights, with extensive competition experience.

After the match started, Jones Fallis adopted a conservative approach, not taking the initiative to attack, keeping a distance of more than a meter from Link.

Link tried to chase Jones but was quickly dodged. Jones was extremely fast.

After some thought, Link decided to change his tactics and give up the plan of actively attacking, saving his energy first.

In the first and second rounds, both sides only threw a total of 12 punches, and only under the referee's urging did they perfunctorily touch gloves.

"What are they doing? Why aren't they fighting?"

Mario asked in confusion.

The audience was also confused. Before coming to watch the match, the news said that there was an amateur boxer from Miami who was very fierce, fighting like crazy in the ring, knocking out every opponent he faced, nicknamed "The Anesthetist."

Now in the finals, why wasn't "The Anesthetist" anesthetizing anyone?

"Link, what's your plan?"

During the second round break, West asked Link this question.

Link shook his head, looked at the opponent who was also resting, and said, "No rush, wait a little longer."

"Wait? Wait for what?"

Mario glanced at Jones and asked in a low voice, "Did you put anesthetic in his water?"

Link was stunned for a moment. Could it be done that way?

After returning to the ring, he was sweating profusely, panting, and his footsteps were a bit unsteady.

"Did Link expend too much energy in the last match? Hasn't he recovered yet?" Reggie asked.

"He gets tired too?"

Mario snorted, expressing his doubts.

There had been matches every day recently, but whenever he had time, Link would go for a run outside or work out at the hotel gym. His stamina was even greater than the beef cattle on his family's ranch. Mario didn't believe Link would be so tired that he couldn't walk straight, unless there were three women in his bed last night.

"Hey, fight faster!"

"Stop wasting time."

"Refund! Refund!"

The audience shouted loudly to express their dissatisfaction with the match.

The referee also urged them to fight faster, as passive fighting would result in point deductions.

Link ignored this and just raised his fists, staring at his opponent, occasionally throwing a few perfunctory punches.

Although the audience's reaction was important, he couldn't be controlled by their emotions and easily change his tactics.

His opponent, Jones Fallis, was also quite calm, frowning and looking at Link with confusion.

According to the coaches' analysis, Link was a boxer eager for quick success, who liked to launch fierce attacks on his opponents in the first three rounds and often knocked them out within those rounds, ending the match.

Therefore, before the match, his coach repeatedly told him to focus on defense first, protect his head, and never give Link a chance for a KO.

Jones had watched Link's match videos and had a vivid memory of his heavy punches. He was also prepared to deal with them.

But since the match started, Link only tested him a little and then gave up the offense, fighting very passively, as if deliberately delaying the match.

Jones was a bit confused. What was he trying to do? Suddenly, he noticed that Link was sweating a lot and his footsteps were floating. Could it be that he had expended too much energy in the previous match and hadn't recovered yet?

He decided to take the initiative and test Link's condition.

The next chapter will be released in two minutes.

(End of chapter)