69novels Page 192
Page 192
Johnny and countless other boxing fans like him, after the initial euphoria, began to watch, analyze, and discuss every detail of those short two and a half minutes with great relish.
Viktor's fierce deflection of jabs, his precise timing, his storm of punches, and especially the slow-motion replay of his finishing right straight punch, are all chilling to watch every time.
This is no longer a simple matter of winning or losing; it has almost become a totem of violent aesthetics.
In underground casinos and at the larger capital level, Victor's odds were reassessed.
His list of future rivals, those names once thought to be able to overcome him with speed and technique, are now shrouded in shadow.
The landscape of the fighting world was violently shaken by this one-night knockout.
A new dynasty appears to be being established in the most powerful way, and challengers need to find a new way to confront this "Far East Tiger," if such a way exists.
Viktor himself, in the post-match press conference, remained concise:
At the post-match press conference, Holyfield had an ice pack on his forehead but insisted on attending.
"I was careless, I didn't dodge,"
Speaking into the microphone, Holyfield's voice was still somewhat weak, "Victor's performance exceeded my expectations. I demand a rematch, and I believe I can do better."
Victor nodded: "Ivand is a great champion, and he deserves a rematch. We'll arrange it in 1988."
During the Q&A session, most of the reporters' questions revolved around that sudden knockout.
Chapter 161 I Want to Be Number One in the World!
After the press conference, Viktor, Ivana, and Ubelman walked together to the VIP room.
The door opened, and George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush were already waiting inside.
"A wonderful match, Mr. Li,"
When shaking hands, George H.W. Bush said, "Your performance reminds me of my experience during the Pacific War—sometimes the biggest enemy is not the Japanese army on the other side, but our own preconceived notions."
George W. Bush patted Victor's arm enthusiastically: "Your 'Chicago Typewriter' is so cool! It's like watching a Chicago gangster movie!"
Ubelman took the opportunity to pull Victor aside: "The Vice President is very interested in your influence in the Chinese community in the Midwest. Next year is an election year, and we need their votes."
Victor nodded: “I will do my best. But Chicago needs more federal funding for infrastructure, especially in the South.
“This can be arranged,”
George H.W. Bush had approached unnoticed and overheard the conversation. "Representative Ubelman will follow up on this. I'm glad we reached a consensus."
George W. Bush handed him a note: "This is my personal number, Vic. Next time you come to Texas, I'll take you to my ranch, and we can have a good chat about boxing and business."
Viktor took the note and realized it wasn't just a matter of social etiquette—he had transformed from a boxer into a chess player.
·······
The next day, sports newspapers across the United States and even the world were in an uproar.
The front page headlines are almost monopolized by the same news.
The photos of Victor Lee delivering a cold, hard punch and Evander Holyfield crashing to the ground became the most impactful images.
The Chicago Sports Journal wrote in a huge headline:
"The new king defends the throne! The 'Mad Tiger' of the East tears apart the 'real deal' in one round!"
The article exclaimed: "Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era? The power, speed, and precision displayed by Victor Lee are devastating and historic. Holyfield's dominance collapsed in an incredibly brief moment, and the boxing world welcomed its most ferocious new overlord."
The Brookings Eagle's commentary, however, has a greater historical perspective: "Tyson and Victor, the two titans of the boxing world!"
They compared Viktor to Mike Tyson, who had just won the WBO heavyweight title and was also known for his terrifying destructive power:
"Mike Tyson dominated the boxing world with his absolute power and impact, while Victor Lee accomplished the same amazing feat with his almost ruthless efficiency and unparalleled explosiveness."
One represents the raging thunder, the other the raging, deadly storm. We may be witnessing the birth of 'boxing duos,' an unprecedented era of two titans on the horizon!
The concept of "boxing duo" was so appealing that it was quickly reprinted and cited by major newspapers.
Viktor's reputation soared at an unprecedented rate, transforming him from a formidable boxer and a much-disregarded Chinese-American into a symbol of the pinnacle of boxing, on par with Tyson.
His background, his training methods, everything about him became the focus of the media's frenzied digging.
However, not everyone is happy to accept this new order.
On the other side of the Atlantic, in London, England, Lennox Lewis—the Olympic gold medalist and future heavyweight champion—and his team repeatedly watched the two-minute-and-thirty-second replay of the match.
The videotape was almost completely exposed.
"His startup speed... is abnormal."
Lewis said in a deep voice, pointing to the fraction of a second that Victor dodged the uppercut, "Look here, Holyfield's center of gravity just shifted forward, and his counterattack was already out. This is not a reaction, this is anticipation, or rather, a trap."
His coach nodded, his expression grave: "His power is extremely concentrated, and his angles are tricky. Moreover, look at his state after the knockdown; he's frighteningly calm. This guy's mental fortitude might be more dangerous than his punches."
Lennox, he's next, you have to keep your distance, use your jabs and control, don't let him get close.
In Kyiv, Vitaly Klitschko and his brother Vladimir were also conducting research.
"His explosive power is astonishing. He weighs four hundred pounds, which is unimaginable strength."
Vitaly commented that he was also known for his technique and toughness, "but his defense was impeccable. With a body weighing 400 pounds, I can't imagine how much force it would take to hit his bones."
Vladimir: "Holyfield's jabs actually hit him, but they weren't powerful enough to disrupt his rhythm. He needs more sustained and heavier blows to put him under pressure."
They began discussing how to use their height and wingspan advantage to organize a tight, long-range artillery bombardment.
Cuban José Libarta told the media, "Victor Lee's technical system is unique, incorporating multiple styles, but at its core is extreme efficiency. He doesn't fight for the sake of fighting; he fights to knock out opponents. To defeat him, you need perfect tactical discipline and can't make any mistakes, especially psychological fluctuations."
These top active fighters and strategists are all nervously reassessing Victor Lee's strength, regarding him as their most threatening rival.
Another group, the established champions who represented the golden age of American boxing, felt an unprecedented sense of offense at the term "boxing twins":
It was as if this group of boxers in their thirties had been swept into the trash can. Vladimir
Joe Lewis, the Brown Bomber, the legend with the most successful title defenses in heavyweight history, was quite blunt in an interview with the Detroit Free Press:
"Tyson's skill is proven. And this Victor Lee? He only won one great fight, yes, it was spectacular, but does that put him on the same level as Tyson?"
This is an insult to history! In our time, any top boxer had to undergo a long and brutal ordeal to gain recognition.
George Forman, the legendary tough guy known for his heavy punches, wrote in a column:
"Twin Stars? What a joke! Holyfield was too careless; he underestimated the youngsters. Victor's fighting style is risky, and once he encounters a truly tough opponent with a heavier punch—like me—he'll find that it won't work. The media always likes to create new gods, but they forget that gods need time to be forged."
Smoking Müller, the indomitable worker-emperor Joe Frazier, the technical master Larry Holmes, the undefeated legend Rocky Marciano, and even earlier figures like Jack Dempsey with his Manassa hammer and the fearsome Sonny Liston...
These names are themselves monuments in boxing history.
They voiced their opinions through newspapers, columns, and interview programs, with strikingly similar content:
They criticized the media for overhyping the story, questioned the merits of Victor Lee's achievements, defended the honor and values of their era, and argued that Victor Lee was unworthy of being ranked alongside Tyson, let alone instantly gaining such a prestigious status.
Their remarks represent the instinctive rejection and skepticism of the old-school American boxing community towards a sudden, stylistically different "outsider."
And they are either black or white, but definitely not yellow.
·······
Public opinion was in an uproar, but Victor Lee's team did not remain silent.
They acted swiftly, reaching an agreement with Lennox Lewis's team to hold a grand signing ceremony and officially confirm the next major match.
Time: October 1987, 7.
Location: Ballroom, Plaza Hotel, New York.
The scene was filled with flashing lights and a large number of reporters.
Lennox Lewis, dressed in a suit and behaving appropriately, expressed his respect for Viktor and confidently stated that he had found a way to deal with the situation and looked forward to a great match.
The atmosphere was professional and restrained for a time.
It was Victor Lee's turn to speak.
He was also wearing a custom-made suit, but the buttons were undone, revealing the collar of his shirt underneath, giving him a wildness that seemed out of place in such a formal setting.
He didn't look at his notes; his gaze swept over the densely packed reporters and cameras below the stage, and a signature, mocking, and arrogant smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
He began by routinely praising Lewis as a great warrior and expressing his anticipation for their duel.
But then, his tone suddenly changed.
“Recently, I’ve been reading a lot of newspapers,”
His voice, carried through the microphone, echoed throughout the hall with a cold, hard quality: “I’ve seen a lot of comments from… well… some of the ‘veterans’.”
He deliberately emphasized the word "senior," making it sound sarcastic.
“Mr. Joe Lewis, Mr. Forman, Mr. Frazier... and many more, I can’t remember them all.”
He shrugged dramatically, causing a slight commotion in the audience. "They seem very dissatisfied with me, thinking that I only won one game and don't deserve my current fame, and don't deserve to be associated with their names."
He paused for a moment, his eyes sharpened, and the oppressive aura he exuded in the boxing ring returned.
"I want to say to these 'living legends':"
The boxing ring is not a museum!
This is not a place to display your yellowed trophies and outdated honors! It is the cruelest, most realistic battlefield, where only the strongest warriors of the moment can stand!
An uproar erupted from the audience, and reporters frantically took notes, their camera shutters clicking like a torrential downpour.
Viktor's voice suddenly rose, filled with provocation: "You lie on your past laurels, pointing fingers at the soldiers of today, endlessly talking about how great your era was. Tell me, besides your mouths, what else can you use to prove your theories?!"
"Time should be your enemy, but now I'm willing to be one step ahead of time!"
He took a sudden step forward, his finger almost pointing at the camera: "You're all unconvinced, aren't you? You think I just got lucky? Fine! I, Victor Lee, am here to extend an invitation to all of you! Not with a pen, but with my fists!"
“Listen up, every single one of you! Joe Lewis, George Forman, Mueller, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey, Sonny Liston! Don’t hide behind the newspapers! Put on your gloves and stand in front of me!”
He issued his final challenge with resounding conviction:
“I am not a refined gentleman. Boxing is not like eating in a restaurant, writing articles in the newspaper, or painting or embroidering with your mouth. It cannot be so elegant or so unhurried.”
"I'm going to become the world's number one boxer! What does it mean to be the world's number one? It means that no one ranked second through ninety-ninth can beat me!"
I will send all of you nagging old fogies to nursing homes by 1990! I mean it!
The entire venue fell silent for several seconds.
Then, the entire signing ceremony erupted in cheers!