Chapter 100: Battle of the Kings

In the tropical humidity of Miami in October, the air was thick with anticipation. Linck Baker stood alone on his hotel balcony, gazing down at the bustling city below. The final step towards becoming the WBA Super Middleweight World Champion was within his grasp.

Linck had knocked out Canada’s top super middleweight, Jean Pascal, in 42 seconds, marking his 8th win with 8 KOs, 7 of which were within 30 seconds, matching the record set by "The Cannon" Shannon Briggs. Briggs had achieved 7 wins within 30 seconds in his professional career, with his fastest being just 3 seconds.

Though Linck didn't set a new record, his performance stunned many. Jean Pascal, an undefeated fighter, had three times defeated opponents within seconds during ranking matches. Many believed he could withstand Linck's punches for over 100 seconds, but he only managed 42 seconds under Linck’s powerful blows.

The media buzzed with claims that Linck was unstoppable on his path to the championship. Under this momentum, the Intercontinental Title match commenced: challenger Linck Baker versus WBA Intercontinental Champion Jermain Taylor.

Jermain Taylor, from Arkansas, dark-skinned, 30 years old, 185 cm tall, with a 189 cm reach, nicknamed "Bad Intentions." His amateur record was 144 fights with 132 wins. He was the 1998 U.S. Amateur Light Middleweight Champion, the 1999 Golden Gloves Light Middleweight Champion, and won a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympics in the Middleweight category.

Turning pro in 2001, Taylor's professional record was 30 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw with 19 KOs. He was a former IBF-WBC-WBO Middleweight Champion and moved up to Super Middleweight last year, winning the WBA Intercontinental Title by defeating multiple opponents.

Currently ranked third in the WBA Super Middleweight category, behind Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch, Taylor was known for defeating Bernard Hopkins twice in 2005, forcing Hopkins to move up to Super Middleweight.

Taylor's primary defeats came in 2007, when he was beaten twice by Ohio’s “The Ghost” Kelly Pavlik, losing all his belts and moving up to Super Middleweight. Interestingly, Hopkins later returned to Middleweight and defeated Pavlik earlier this year.

After studying Taylor’s profile, Linck strategized. Taylor was a skilled offensive boxer with powerful punches and a preference for surprise attacks, earning him the nickname "Bad Intentions." Linck planned to pressure him continuously, preventing him from landing any surprise punches.

"Linck, be cautious. Taylor is fast. To knock him out within 100 seconds, corner him and prevent him from dodging," advised Coach Brooks before the match.

"Got it," Linck replied, donning his gear and passing inspections before entering the Madison Square Garden arena once more.

Today’s audience was larger than before, about 15,000 people. Linck couldn’t spot Serena, Katherine, and their families or Taylor among the crowd, but he knew they were there.

"Go, Linck!"

"Anesthetist Linck!"

"Quick Gun Linck!"

"Linck the Demon King!"

The crowd shouted various nicknames for Linck, who preferred being called "Champion Linck."

He ran to the ring where Taylor, draped in a green and gold belt, awaited. This WBA Intercontinental belt was a step towards the World Champion belt.

"Hey, Linck, want this? You’ll have to beat me first," Taylor taunted, tapping his belt.

Linck shook his head, "My goal is the World Champion belt, not yours. If you’re willing to step aside, you can keep it."

"Ha! That’s not happening. To be World Champion, you have to get past me first," Taylor retorted, raising his fists.

"Alright, I’ll do my best," Linck replied, biting down on his custom-fit mouthguard.

The referee read out the rules and started the match.

"Boxing!"

Linck raised his fists and advanced. Taylor, roughly his height but with a smaller head, large shoulders, and powerful arms, matched his stare.

Linck initiated the attack, but Taylor struck first with a rapid jab, aiming at Linck’s guard. Linck blocked it, but Taylor quickly followed with a body punch, forcing Linck to hunch over. Taylor’s quick right hook aimed for Linck’s head, but Linck dodged and countered with a left hook, which Taylor avoided by stepping back.

Linck seemed to be at a disadvantage in this exchange.

"Tommy, is Linck losing?" Dino nervously asked, watching the ring.

"How much did you bet?" Coach Brooks inquired.

"All my winnings from last time, with interest. Go, Linck!" Dino shouted.

"Don’t worry, Linck will win. He’ll be the champion," Morales assured, clenching his fists.

"But I bet on him KO’ing Taylor within 100 seconds. It’s already been 50 seconds," Dino wailed, clutching his forehead.

In the ring, Linck, unaware of the time, felt the tension mounting. He pressured Taylor, who kept his distance, sensing Linck’s urgency.

"Linck, only 40 seconds left," Dino shouted.

Recalling Brooks' advice, Linck cornered Taylor, who swung at Linck’s head but was blocked. Taylor aimed for his body, but Linck ignored it, landing a powerful punch on Taylor’s shoulder, sending him reeling into the ropes. Linck followed up with a body blow, making Taylor bend over, exposing his head.

Seizing the opportunity, Linck landed a left hook to Taylor’s forehead, sending him crashing down.

"Wow!" The crowd gasped.

"Finally down! How many seconds?" Dino asked Simon.

"81 seconds," Simon replied, checking the clock.

The referee counted to six before Taylor stood, shaking and glaring at Linck.

"Linck, only 10 seconds left," Dino shouted.

The match resumed. Taylor, wary of Linck’s power, retreated, guarding his head. Linck, knowing time was short, unleashed a barrage of punches. In five seconds, he landed 12 punches, the 10th hitting Taylor’s rib, making him lower his guard. Linck’s 11th punch struck Taylor’s head, and the 12th sent him crashing into the ropes and collapsing.

"Wow!" The crowd roared.

".5, 4, 3, 2, 1!" The referee counted to ten, and Taylor, unable to rise, signaled Linck’s victory.

"Yeah! Linck wins!" Dino cheered, raising his tattooed arms.

"98 seconds! Just under 100," Simon said, wiping his brow.

"Linck is the Intercontinental Champion!" Morales exclaimed.

In the ring, the referee raised Linck’s arm, declaring him the winner. Applause and cheers erupted from the audience.

With nine wins, nine KOs, Linck was now the WBA Intercontinental Champion, ranked third in the WBA Super Middleweight division.

As the North American tournament concluded, the South American, European, and Asian/Pacific tournaments also wrapped up.

South American Champion Glen Johnson, European Champion Mikkel Kessler, and Asian/Pacific Champion Tony Dodson emerged. Linck was set to face Dodson in New York, while Kessler would face Johnson in Europe.

Against Dodson, a tough opponent, Linck secured victory in 91 seconds with 82 powerful punches, knocking Dodson down twice before the final knockout.

In Europe, Kessler KO’d Johnson in three rounds, advancing to the WBA Super Middleweight Finals.

The WBA announced the championship match for October 2 in Miami: North American Champion Linck vs. European Champion Mikkel Kessler.