MM Racing Page 242
Page 242
Chapter 204 Unexpected but As Expected
Viktor gritted his teeth and said this before hanging up the phone.
A few minutes later, Frankie drove to Victor's house: "Did you see what that bastard said? He's already started the hashtag 'Would Victor dare to fight in July?' on social media, and the fans are all jumping on the bandwagon."
Victor paced silently in the living room.
The wall is covered with various photos of him from his amateur days to the peak of his career, recording the hardships he has gone through step by step.
He recalled the blood and sweat he had poured into his boxing dream, only to be slandered by a boxing champion who had never truly proven himself.
"Contact the Fraser team,"
Viktor suddenly stopped and said, "Ask them if they'd be willing to move the match to mid-June."
Frankie's eyes widened: "Are you crazy! We only have three and a half weeks to prepare! Frazier is a heavy hitter, with an 80% KO rate! We need a full training camp to develop a countermeasure!"
Viktor's gaze remained unwavering: "If I don't fight now, the rumors surrounding Traud will snowball. Boxing fans are forgetful; they'll really think I'm avoiding the fight."
"But the risk is too great..."
Frankie tried to dissuade him: "Even if you defeat Frazier, you only have less than a month to prepare for the unification war!"
"Do as I say."
Victor's tone left no room for argument, "Also, tell Traudl's team that I can play against him in August—no, early September, provided he doesn't make any more excuses."
Frankie's negotiations went surprisingly smoothly.
Frazier's team was equally eager to prove themselves and had no objection to moving the game forward, but they made a condition—if it was moved to mid-June, they demanded additional box office revenue as compensation.
"How much do they want?"
"10%."
Frankie replied, "That means if we play earlier, your share drops from 40% to 30%, and theirs goes up from 40% to 50%."
Viktor took a deep breath.
This means he could lose millions of dollars, but he's willing to pay that price to prove his courage and shut up the likes of Traudl.
"Promise them."
"But the venue will be moved to Las Vegas, which is our home ground," Victor said.
After 24 hours of intense negotiations, the new contract was finally finalized:
On June 15, 1988, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Victor Lee faced Joe Frazier. The appearance fees remained the same, but the box office split was adjusted to 30% for Victor, 30% for Joe Frazier, and the remaining 20% was used as a wager!
The news sent shockwaves through the boxing world.
Major sports media outlets have all reported this breaking news as their headline story:
Victor Lee accepts the challenge; the match is moved up to June 15th!
"Boxing Tough Guy! Victor Sacrifices a Million Dollar to Prove Courage"
Traudl's comments led to the fastest-arranged boxing match in history.
Traudl responded quickly, stating in an interview: "Victor simply chose a relatively easy opponent. Frazier is inexperienced, and Victor knows that. If he were truly brave, he should have directly challenged me to a unification fight."
However, this viewpoint did not gain much acceptance this time.
Most boxing commentators pointed out that Viktor not only did not avoid the fight, but also took a huge risk and suffered losses to fight ahead of schedule, which precisely proved his courage.
The days following the signing of the contract were like a whirlwind.
Viktor doubled his training intensity, and the team urgently adjusted all plans.
Louis's recommended veteran coach, Donnie Wilson, was brought back into the fold. At sixty years old, he was still in excellent spirits and his understanding of boxing was astonishing.
"The Fraser family tradition is physical striking,"
Wilson pointed out in the first training session, "They will constantly press, aiming at your liver and ribs. You have to strengthen your abdominal muscles to withstand the blows while keeping moving."
Viktor silently noted down each piece of advice.
He respects Frazier's abilities and will not underestimate him just because he is young.
In the world of boxing, a single powerful punch can change everything.
At the same time, the propaganda machine was running at full speed.
HBO bought the exclusive pay-per-view rights to the game, and trailers were played repeatedly during prime time.
Victor's face-to-face interview with Frazier Jr. attracted a record number of viewers.
"He is an excellent boxer,"
In the interview, Victor said, "But I have more experience, better technique, more power, and faster speed! On June 15th, I will prove who the real champion is."
Frazier responded, "Victor has never faced a heavy hitter like me. Four rounds to finish a veteran? For me, he wouldn't last six rounds."
On the eve of the match, Viktor stood alone in the center of the training hall, feeling the calm before the storm.
His career is at a crossroads—victory will solidify his legendary status, while defeat will make the likes of Traudl's mockery a reality.
The hands of the wall clock pointed to midnight; there were still eighteen hours until the start of the match.
Viktor took a deep breath and began his final meditation. Tomorrow's boxing ring would not only be a fight, but also a chance to prove himself.
The battle of heavy artillery is about to break out.
"The winner takes everything, the loser is utterly defeated!"
·······
On June 15, 1988, the scorching heat of the Nevada desert had not completely dissipated after nightfall; instead, it was amplified by the neon lights of Las Vegas that never slept.
The T-Mobile Arena (which was built later in history) is like a restless heart, pounding violently in the heart of Las Vegas.
The parking lot was already packed, with limousines, gleaming sports cars, and ordinary sedans mixed together, and a diverse crowd of people pouring in:
Casino tycoons in fur coats, Hollywood stars, sports betting brokers in suits, and many more ordinary boxing fans in sweat-soaked vests, roaring with anticipation for blood and passion.
The air was filled with the smoke of cigars, the smell of expensive perfumes and cheap beer, mixed with an almost primal anticipation.
Tonight's main event is not a closely contested duel between two champions, but rather a brutal ceremony of generational change, a gladiatorial contest portrayed by the media as a battle between a "godslayer" and a "living legend."
On one side is a young beast at the height of his power, possessing terrifying destructive capabilities—22-year-old Victor Lee;
On the other side is Joe Frazier, a 40-year-old former invincible boxing giant who fought Ali three times, a veteran known for his tenacity and heavy punches.
Although the years have left their mark on him, no one dares to completely underestimate the heart of a champion.
The betting odds heavily favored the young Viktor, but the allure of boxing lies in its unpredictability, especially when a veteran is risking everything for dignity.
The atmosphere in Viktor's locker room was eerily calm.
Victor sat in the corner, wearing headphones, his massive frame resembling a silent mountain.
His 400-pound weight was evenly distributed across his incredibly strong bones and muscles, and the blood vessels under his skin pulsated gently like a winding river.
Ethan was giving the wristband a final check on its tightness.
“Victor, remember,”
Old Jack's voice was deep and steady, like he was polishing a weapon. "Joe's old, but his fists can still smash through concrete walls. Don't be intimidated by his early prowess."
Use your straight punches to control the distance and wear him down. Your target is his body, especially his liver. At forty, his body doesn't recover as quickly.
Don't rush to knock him out. Let him get tired, let him feel pain, and then...
Old Jack made an upward hook motion, "...finish him."
Viktor slowly raised his head, his eyes devoid of youthful anxiety, only filled with icy killing intent.
His record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 21 knockouts is built on the relentless destruction of his opponents.
That one and only loss was a controversial points defeat, after which he went on to knock out all his challengers in an even more ferocious manner.
Tyson... enhanced by his all-black skin.
“I know, old Jack. I won’t give him any chance. After tonight, no one will remember ‘Joe Frazier,’ only me, Victor Lee.”
His voice was deep and resonant, carrying an undeniable determination.
Joe Frazier's locker room was filled with a tragic fervor.
Forty-year-old Joe Frazier's forehead and the corners of his eyes are covered with wrinkles, but his eyes still burn with an indomitable flame.
He was still very muscular, but upon closer inspection, one could see that his muscle definition was not as sharp as it had been in his youth, and his abdomen was slightly looser.
His coach, as well as his longtime friend and comrade-in-arms, Mickey Gordon, was patting him hard on the back.
"Joe! Listen! Everyone thinks you're finished! Those bastards in Las Vegas all think you're here to get yourself killed!"
Mickey's voice was hoarse but full of passion, "But I know you're not! You still have the blood of a champion flowing in your veins! That brat, he only knows brute force!"
He's never seen a fighter like you! Use your experience, your evasive maneuvers, to make him waste his energy on air! Then, hit him with your 'smokescreen left hook'! Just like we used to! For honor, Joe!
Joe Frazier took a deep breath and slammed his fists together, making a dull thud.
"For glory, Mickey. And to pay the bills."
He grinned, a hint of bitterness and self-deprecation in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant, replaced by unwavering determination. "I won't fall easily. I'll show everyone that Joe Frazier can still fight!"
As the stadium lights dimmed and spotlights pierced the darkness like swords, the emotions of the nearly 20,000 spectators were ignited.
First up was Victor Lee.
Wearing a simple black cloak and expressionless, he walked with heavy but steady steps toward the boxing ring, surrounded by his coach and team members.
A huge roar erupted from the stands, a mix of cheers, whistles, and the inevitable boos.
His supporters waved flags bearing his menacing image, while many others looked on with scrutiny, eager to see for themselves whether this beast truly lived up to his name.
He climbed over the ropes and stood in a corner of the boxing ring, his gaze lowered, as if all the noise around him was irrelevant; he was simply waiting for the hunt to begin.
Immediately afterwards, the host drew out the words and respectfully called out:
"Ladies and gentlemen... this is... the former world heavyweight champion... 'The Roaring'... Joe... Frazier—!"
The entire venue erupted in cheers, several times louder than before.
This is a tribute to legend and a resonance with the indomitable spirit.
Joe Frazier, wearing his signature red cape, walked with a slightly heavy but still determined gait.