### Chapter 118: Lifted High

"Welcome to Madison Square Garden in New York, the site of the WBC title match. The competitors are WBC light heavyweight champion Roy Jones, who also won the WBA light heavyweight title in August, solidifying his position as the undisputed number one in his weight class, with a record of 39 fights and 39 wins. 

His opponent is Richard Brad from the Bronx, New York. At 20 years old, he may not be the youngest challenger in history, but he's certainly one of the youngest. Turning pro last December, he currently holds a record of 13 fights and 13 wins. It's been reported that he recently sustained a leg injury."

On TV, the HBO commentator was loudly introducing Richard and Roy Jones.

"Gisele, are you really not going to watch the match in person?"

At the apartment, Angela was lying horizontally on the sofa, eating fruit and swinging her long legs.

"No, I never liked watching boxing matches, and I especially dislike watching his matches."

Gisele shrugged, her eyes fixed on the TV as the live broadcast of the boxing match began. HBO was broadcasting the fight, which could be viewed by paying $50-$100 per month.

"Is Richard's leg healed?" Angela asked, looking at the TV.

"Yes, he's been running since over ten days ago, and it doesn't seem to be affecting him much anymore."

"He's really tough. Gisele, do you think if something bit off that part, Richard would be depressed?" Angela blinked and smiled.

Gisele rolled her eyes at her and noticed the host moving to interview Roy Jones. She put down her coffee cup and walked to the bathroom.

"Angela, call me if anything happens!"

"Okay, hurry up!"

"OK!"

But just two minutes after entering the bathroom, Angela started shouting for her to come out quickly. Gisele washed her hands and pushed the door open to return to the living room.

"What's going on? It just started, why are you shouting?"

Gisele asked.

"Ha, see for yourself."

Angela pointed at the TV, where many people were rushing onto the ring.

Paul, Alvin, Anthony, Mayweather, Jim, and many others were on the stage, surrounding Richard, laughing and jumping around. The scene was very lively.

On TV, the commentator was loudly announcing Richard's victory.

"He won?" Gisele blinked. "I just went to the bathroom, and he won?"

"Ha, yes, Gisele, Richard won. Your boyfriend beat the world champion. From now on, he's the real champion. Congratulations!"

Angela laughed, holding her hand.

"Really? That was so fast, I need to rewind and watch it again."

Gisele rewound the recording by two or three minutes, and the footage returned to the beginning of the match.

In the ring, Richard and Roy Jones stood face to face.

One wore red shorts and red gloves, the other yellow shorts and yellow gloves. One was black, the other white. Richard looked handsome with a calm and gentle expression, while Roy Jones was slightly more robust and appeared fierce.

When the referee announced the start of the match, both men extended their fists, attacking each other aggressively. Their punches were very fast, with a series of loud thuds as they exchanged blows.

The crowd's cheers were also very enthusiastic. Some shouted for Richard, others for Roy Jones. From the start of the match, the cheering never stopped.

Bang!

Less than half a minute into the match, Richard broke through Roy Jones's defense with a jab to his chin, causing Roy Jones to stagger and almost fall.

"Wow!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. The champion was nearly KO'd by the challenger—an exciting scene.

"Ha, that punch was fantastic!" Gisele cheered with clenched fists.

"You're celebrating too early. Just wait, you won't be smiling soon," Angela said softly.

"What?"

As she spoke, Richard landed another punch on his opponent's forehead, knocking Roy Jones into the ropes.

Richard pursued, throwing fast and fierce jabs at his opponent's head, drawing loud roars from the crowd.

At this point, Roy Jones employed a clinching tactic, wrapping Richard's arms while making small leg movements.

Compared to Richard, his footwork was very agile. When changing stances, his knees accidentally on purpose bumped Richard's thigh twice. Without replays, it would've been hard to notice.

Richard's brow furrowed, showing a hint of pain. When the referee separated them, Richard's steps were a bit sluggish.

"Damn it!" Gisele cursed angrily.

"Ha, don't worry. Payback is coming," Angela laughed.

Richard stood in the corner, motionless, with his hands behind his back and his head extended, smiling at Roy Jones.

"Wow!"

The audience erupted in loud cheers.

Every fan who had seen Roy Jones fight knew that he had struck this pose in the last match at this very ring against Del Valle. It was both a taunt and an insult.

This time, no one expected Richard to strike the same pose against Roy Jones.

"That's too risky," Gisele frowned.

"Ha, don't worry. Your Richard is impressive," Angela laughed.

As everyone watched the scene, Roy Jones, with a hint of anger, quickly approached Richard, throwing a powerful hook at his head. It was fast and fierce.

"Richard, dodge!" Gisele cried out.

On TV, Richard nimbly stepped back, narrowly avoiding Roy Jones's glove by a hair.

While dodging, Richard launched his counterattack, swinging his right fist heavily at Roy Jones, just as Jones had done to Del Valle.

Richard's punch was extremely fast. Although Roy Jones had anticipated it and tried to dodge, his upper body couldn't match the speed of Richard's swing.

Bang!

Richard's right fist connected with Roy Jones's side face, delivering a heavy blow.

In slow-motion replay, Roy Jones's head visibly shifted, and his facial skin rippled like water waves.

Bang!

Roy Jones staggered and fell heavily to the ground.

Bang!

From Jones's punch to Richard's dodge and counter, to Jones's dodge, hit, and fall, it all happened in an instant despite the numerous actions.

The 20,000-strong audience fell silent.

Everyone stared, wide-eyed, at the fallen Roy Jones. It took two seconds for them to react.

As the cheers began, many others joined in loudly.

"Wow, Richard won!"

"Champion Richard!"

"Bronx's champion!"

"Undefeated god!"

"Limping champion!"

Amidst the cheers, the referee squatted down and counted to ten. Roy Jones struggled but couldn't stand.

"We won!"

Paul, Alvin, Anthony, Dr. L, and Old Tom rushed onto the ring.

"Ha, Richard won, Angela. Richard became the champion."

Gisele hugged Angela, twirling in the living room.

"I know, congrats!"

Angela hugged her back, laughing.

"Ha, thank you, same to you!"

Gisele laughed.

"Wait, don't celebrate yet. Look, Richard's about to receive the championship belt."

Angela pointed to the TV.

On TV, the WBC President Jose Sulaiman held a gold belt, approached Richard, shook his hand, and handed him the belt.

Richard took the belt and lifted it high.

"Wow, that's awesome!"

Gisele clapped her hands and laughed.

"That guy finally has the belt," Angela laughed.

"Yes, it wasn't easy. He started training at twelve, juggling school, work, and training all by himself. It wasn't easy," Gisele said with long eyelashes fluttering.

"Now he has you and many friends, right?" Angela put her arm around her shoulder.

Gisele smiled, "Yes."

Ding ding ding~ The phone rang.

"Hey, dear, did you watch the match?"

Richard laughed over the phone.

"Yes, it was okay," Gisele said with a smile.

"Ha ha, thanks for the compliment. Your praise weighs more than the belt."

Richard laughed.

Gisele smiled softly, "When will you be back?"

"No rush. We're having a celebration party at the Hilton tonight. Come over with Angela; many friends will be there. Will you come?"

"Of course, we'll be right there. Wait! Dear, I want to say, tonight's match was great, really great. You make me proud. Mwah~"

Gisele kissed and hung up, smiling.

"Dear, are you happy?"

Angela asked, holding her shoulder.

"Of course, let's go!"

Gisele waved her fist, laughing.

"Wait, change clothes first. Are you going like this?"

"Yes, ha ha ha~"

"Silly!"

Angela shook her head.