Chapter 54: The Fighter

Link had fought in underground matches before, sustaining and inflicting injuries. Seeing his opponent's movement, he immediately realized the opponent had a rib injury, perhaps an old one.

Considering Rosniel was a veteran with over a decade of boxing experience and over a hundred matches, it was normal to have injuries, and competing with injuries was also common.

Link himself had once suffered two broken ribs in an unsanctioned fight.

But to earn enough money for his mother's medical bills, he had to fight with the injury, coughing up blood during the match. The visual effect was shocking, and the wealthy spectators in the audience roared and threw money into the cage.

Link earned over three hundred thousand dollars from that fight.

Having spotted the opponent's weakness, Link didn't hesitate. He feinted a combination towards Rosniel's head, causing him to raise his arms in defense.

Bam!

Immediately, Link's left straight punch landed fiercely on Rosniel's left rib.

"Ugh!"

Rosniel grunted, clutching his left rib and stumbling backward, hitting the ropes.

Link didn't stop there. He rushed forward, landing several more punches on Rosniel, breaking through his defense.

With Rosniel's arms guarding his ribs, Link's punches landed directly on his head, one after another, until Rosniel fell to the ground.

"Break!"

The referee intervened, stopping Link from further punches.

Link raised his fists, silently looking at his opponent in pain. He felt a slight pang of sympathy, but quickly discarded it.

This was a boxing ring, an arena.

Since Rosniel chose to compete with an injury, it meant he was prepared to bear all consequences, including injury, disability, brain damage, or even death.

If Link refrained from hitting him due to his injury, deliberately avoiding it, then he might as well become a statue at Notre Dame instead of a boxer.

Moreover, in boxing, defeating an opponent with full force was the ultimate respect, while showing mercy was a form of disdain.

After the referee's inquiry, Rosniel chose to continue the match. The Cuban audience erupted in cheers, hailing Rosniel as a hero and champion, urging him to "kill that American."

Link smiled upon hearing this.

He found it interesting that when competing in someone else's territory, regardless of the sport, he, the outsider, always became the villain in the eyes of the audience.

He couldn't help but reminisce about his days in the underground fighting scene.

Those wealthy individuals didn't care about home or away teams. As long as the fight was good and intense, they would throw money. Their preferences were simple; they wanted to see two humans fight like beasts, bloodied and bruised.

This was their way of seeking thrills and pleasure, pure and simple, a hundred times purer than the audience in the stands.

Since Rosniel chose to be the hero, Link didn't mind fulfilling his role. Even as a villain, as long as he became the champion, what did it matter?

The third round resumed.

Link continued to bombard Rosniel's ribs. Whenever Rosniel lowered his arms to adjust his defense, Link's fists would swiftly target his head and face.

Bam!

At 32 seconds into the third round, Link knocked down Rosniel again.

"That bastard is too despicable," several Cuban boxers cursed indignantly from below.

However, Savon watched Link calmly, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He admired not only Link's sharp observation, discovering Rosniel's weakness in just a round and a half, but also his decisive and ruthless attacks, making it hard to believe he was a newcomer.

"What do you think?" Savon asked Aragon.

Aragon nodded. "He's a great opponent, worthy of fighting me."

Savon laughed heartily, saying with satisfaction, "I know you're strong, but don't underestimate him. Link's technique, power, and speed are all excellent, especially his stamina. He threw over 700 punches in the last match, very ferocious."

Aragon nodded.

In the ring, Rosniel stood up again, choosing to continue the fight.

Link smiled at him. Rosniel was indeed a good boxer, strong, resilient, and with a strong will. If not for his old rib injury, Link might have found it difficult to knock him down.

"You're good, a true fighter," Link said before the fourth round began.

Rosniel grinned, his thick lips parting. "You're also very strong. I could have matched you before I got injured, but not now. However, I'll persevere and won't let you knock me out."

"Good luck!"

Link touched gloves with Rosniel and continued the match.

Since Rosniel insisted on being a stumbling block on his path to victory, Link wouldn't show any mercy. His fists relentlessly targeted Rosniel's ribs, using his signature jab, swift and tricky.

Rosniel kept dodging and defending with his arms.

Despite his speed and agility, and his decent defense, Link was faster and his attacks were relentless, leaving Rosniel no chance to rest or adjust.

Bam!

Link seized another opportunity, a straight punch landing on Rosniel's forehead, causing him to stagger and hit the ropes.

Rosniel fell for the third time.

The referee counted to six.

Rosniel, clutching his ribs, stood up again, indicating he could continue.

But Savon and his doctor advised him to give up. Link had found his weakness, and continuing would only worsen his injury, potentially ending his boxing career prematurely. Moreover, he had been knocked down three times, and one more would result in a loss by the referee's decision. There was no chance of winning by persisting.

After consideration, Rosniel chose to heed their advice.

"Link Baker, you win," Rosniel returned to the ring and announced.

The opponent's withdrawal was considered a TKO, but it was still a knockout.

Link also breathed a sigh of relief. Rosniel was physically strong and had good defense. Continuing the fight would have consumed a lot of energy, and with another match tomorrow, he needed to conserve his strength.

"How's your rib?" Link asked.

"It's fine, an old problem. But thank you. You could have hit my ribs a few times, but you chose my head, preventing further injury," Rosniel grinned.

Link smiled faintly, not intending to accept the thanks. His feints towards the ribs and actual attacks to the head were a tactic, and hitting the head was easier for a knockout. It wasn't out of mercy.

"But you should be careful. Aragon isn't easy to deal with. You better be prepared for defeat," Rosniel said.

"Defeat?" Link shook his head.

Rosniel was already a tough opponent. Aragon, who was even stronger and had no obvious weaknesses, would definitely be more challenging. Link knew this clearly, but he still believed he could defeat Aragon and become the champion of the Americas.

"Haha, you're as proud as Aragon. I'm really looking forward to your match," Rosniel said, bumping fists with Link before walking off the stage, clutching his ribs.

"I announce the winner of this match, Link Baker!"

On the stage, Link raised his fists high.

This victory seemed easier than the previous one, but it wasn't.

The previous win relied on strength, speed, and perseverance.

This one relied on rich experience and judgment. Without his past experiences, winning this match would have been extremely difficult.

(End of this chapter)