Chapter 10: The Pressure Mounts

Chapter 10: The Pressure Mounts

The days following Malik's first big fight were a blur. The viral clips of his victory over Tony "The Tank" Davis flooded social media, and he was now trending across platforms. It was no longer just the boxing world that was paying attention; mainstream media had caught wind of the 18-year-old fighter with an uncanny natural gift. He was everywhere—on talk shows, in interviews, and plastered across news headlines.

But with all the attention came pressure. Malik could feel it building, a weight heavier than any punch he'd ever taken. The expectations were enormous, and it was no longer just about living up to his father's legacy. It was about surviving the spotlight, navigating the world of hype, and proving he wasn't just a flash in the pan.

He sat in his room, the sound of a buzzing phone filling the air. Notifications were relentless, but Malik barely noticed them. His mind was elsewhere.

His father had been proud after the fight, sure. But Mike Tyson had also been clear: this was only the beginning. He expected more—always more. Malik knew what was expected of him: dominance, power, and control. The same traits his father had once embodied during his own career.

But Malik wasn't sure if he was ready for all of it.

The phone buzzed again.

Another notification. Another message from his trainer, another call from the media. It was exhausting.

"Get in the gym, Malik. We have a lot of work to do."

The message from Coach Larry was blunt but not unkind. Larry had seen it all, coached world champions, and molded fighters from raw talent to beasts of the ring. He wasn't just a trainer; he was a mentor, a guiding hand through the chaos of fame and boxing. Malik respected him, but even Larry's no-nonsense demeanor couldn't cut through the fog of doubt creeping into his mind.

Malik grabbed his gym bag, slinging it over his shoulder. It was time to hit the gym, to clear his mind and focus. It was easier to deal with the noise when he was doing what he did best—boxing.

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The gym was quiet when he walked in. The usual hustle of trainers shouting instructions and fighters sparring was absent. Only Larry was there, sitting on a bench, tapping his foot impatiently. Malik nodded at him as he stepped through the door.

"Get your gloves on, kid," Larry said, rising from the bench. "We've got work to do. You think that victory means you've made it? You haven't even scratched the surface. The real tests are coming, and they won't be as easy as Tony Davis."

Malik didn't argue. He knew that Larry was right. The fight with Tony had been a cakewalk in comparison to what lay ahead. The top-tier opponents, the championship bouts, the media pressure—it was all going to get harder.

He pulled on his gloves and stepped into the ring, the leather feeling heavier than usual. The sound of the punching bag swaying and the heavy thuds of his own fists were the only things that kept him grounded. He needed this.

Larry's voice broke through his concentration.

"You're a natural. We all know that. But that's not enough. You've got to keep pushing. Everyone out there is waiting for you to slip up. One wrong move, one bad fight, and they'll write you off. You understand me?"

Malik nodded, his jaw clenched. The pressure was suffocating, but it was the reality. The boxing world didn't care if you were the son of a legend. They only cared about one thing: results.

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Hours later, after a grueling workout, Malik sat on the edge of the ring, wiping the sweat from his brow. His mind was clearer now, but it wasn't just the physical exhaustion that had settled over him. It was the mental clarity that came with hard work. He was ready for whatever came next. He just had to remember what his father had taught him: control.

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The next day, the flood of media requests resumed, but Malik was no longer consumed by it. He had made peace with the chaos. His identity wasn't just rooted in the Tyson name—it was in his own ability to stand tall in the ring, to fight, and to win.

His first big press conference was set for the afternoon. The reporters, photographers, and cameras would be all over him. He would have to speak about his victory, his next fight, and the future of his career. It was a lot to process, but it was also part of the journey. Part of being who he was now: a boxer.

Malik arrived at the venue, his father by his side, and the doors opened to a room packed with journalists and fans. The lights, the flashes, the questions—it all hit him at once, but Malik was ready.

The first question came from a reporter at the front.

"Malik, after your dominant performance against Tony Davis, the question on everyone's mind is—what's next for you? Are you going to take on the best in the division right away?"

Malik paused, thinking for a moment. He could feel his father's eyes on him, the silent pressure to say the right thing, to keep up the momentum.

He leaned forward into the microphone, his voice steady.

"I've got a lot of work to do. Tony Davis was just the start. There's a long road ahead of me, and I'm taking it one fight at a time. I'm not in this to just fight—it's to win. To show everyone what I'm capable of. This is just the beginning."

The room was silent for a beat before the questions came pouring in again. Malik answered each one with confidence, his mind focused, his body relaxed.

He was ready. The pressure was still there, but it no longer felt like a weight. It felt like fuel. This was his moment, and he wasn't going to waste it.

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Social Media Reactions:

Twitter:

"Malik Tyson just owned that press conference. No hesitation, no bragging—just straight confidence. #TheRealDeal #MalikTyson"

"Did Malik Tyson just say that he's coming for the best in the division? Someone stop him, this kid's a monster. #BoxingFuture"

"The way Malik handles pressure already… this kid has the mental game just as strong as his punches. #ChampionMindset"

Instagram:

"Malik Tyson is all business. No distractions. No nonsense. Just pure focus. #BoxingFuture #MalikTyson"

"Mark my words—this kid's going to change the game. #NextLevel #ChampionInTheMaking"

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The world was watching, but Malik Tyson wasn't afraid. This was his journey, and he was going to take it all the way to the top.