69novels Page 222
Page 222
Michael chimed in: "So Klitschko and Traudl absolutely have to play! Those two will make this argument fall apart!"
Ethan, however, was more concerned with practical matters: "Stamina reserves and training cycles need to be redesigned. The training focus must be different to deal with legends of different styles. For example, dealing with Liston's pressing style and Frazier's elusive pursuit requires completely different dodging and stamina allocation strategies. This is a huge amount of work, but very challenging, and I can do it."
Lowell was already calculating in his mind: "If it can really be done... the appearance fee will be very high, but considering the potential of paid streaming worldwide, especially if it can be packaged as a 'Century Series Challenge'... sponsors will definitely fight tooth and nail for it. The commercial risk... seems to be lower than continuously challenging current top boxers."
His attitude has clearly softened.
Now, all eyes are on promoter Frankie.
He was the last and most crucial hurdle.
He controlled the purse strings and most of the channels for external negotiations.
Frankie took a deep drag on his cigar, thick smoke billowing from his nostrils.
He stared at the legendary names on the whiteboard, then looked at Victor's ambitious and confident face.
He was torn between his own emotions.
As a promoter of traditional boxing, he instinctively rejected this seemingly unorthodox and even somewhat "desecrating" plan.
This completely goes against the sport's usual promotion path.
On the other hand, the business prospects described by Victor were too tempting, and the phrase "more secure" really struck a nerve with his risk control.
While Viktor has a high chance of winning against top active boxers, which heavyweight boxer doesn't have the potential to finish their opponent?
Any defeat could render the team's huge investment futile.
And beating up these elderly people—punching the Nanshan Nursing Home—is perfectly reasonable!
After a long silence, he stubbed out his cigar heavily in the ashtray, sighed, and smiled helplessly: "Damn it, Victor... you're a madman, a marketing genius madman!"
He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and skipped over Klitschko, pointing directly to Joe Louis's name: "Okay! Suppose, I'm just saying suppose."
We can handle Wladimir Klitschko—that remains the biggest and most realistic challenge right now. No boxer can beat the brothers 'in succession,' and we must be 200% prepared. After that…”
His fingers traced the string of illustrious names. "We can try your insane 'legendary hunt' plan. But!"
He turned sharply to Viktor, his expression becoming extremely serious: "Every step must be arranged by me! Appearance fees must be strictly controlled! Match contracts must take all kinds of unforeseen circumstances into account!"
Most importantly, there absolutely cannot be any accidents, like you accidentally ending up in the hospital with forty-year-old Joe Louis! That would be a huge scandal! We must ensure these matches are 'safe' and 'exciting' exhibition matches, understand? The revenue-sharing arrangement also needs to be renegotiated!
Victor smiled, the smile of a hunter seeing his prey fall into a trap.
“Of course, Frankie. You’re the best promoter; you’re in charge of negotiations and controlling the situation. I’ll just focus on training and beating them.”
Frankie added sharply, “A unification war? IBF’s Traudl? That’s a story for another time, a very, very long time. Let’s get this ‘legendary journey’ through first, and accumulate enough fame and capital before we talk about anything else.”
"no problem."
Viktor readily agreed.
He knew that once the plan was launched, its momentum would be unstoppable.
A consensus on the overall strategic direction was reached unexpectedly quickly, but the subsequent meetings saw a more arduous negotiation over the details. The atmosphere became more heated, even volatile.
All disagreements are temporarily set aside; the first person we need to focus all our efforts on is still Vladimir Klitschko.
"We must face reality,"
Solomon spoke first, his tone grave, "The Klitschko brothers' technical system is near perfect. Their deep foundation in amateur competitions makes their basic skills extremely solid."
Vladimir's jabs have world-class control over distance, his right hook is incredibly powerful, and his defense is impeccable with excellent stamina management. More importantly, he's young, recovers quickly, and has virtually no obvious technical weaknesses.
"Where's the weakness?"
Viktor asked in a deep voice, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.
"Experience, relatively speaking,"
Old Jack chimed in, "Although he has a lot of experience in amateur competitions, the depth and ruthlessness of professional competitions, especially his handling of high pressure, might still have room for improvement. His chin... although it hasn't been truly tested, there are records of him being fooled in amateur competitions. But this is just a possibility."
Ethan presented some data: "His strength and physique are advantages, but Victor, your absolute strength and explosiveness data are not inferior, and are even stronger in some indicators."
The key is speed and penetration. We must develop targeted physical and explosiveness training to ensure you can dodge his jabs while moving at high speed and close the distance quickly.
"Once you get close, attack the body!"
Solomon tapped his finger on the whiteboard, pointing to a diagram of Klitschko's body. "His high stance provides good head protection, but his body is relatively vulnerable. Continuous blows to the body will deplete his stamina, slow his movement, and create opportunities for subsequent head attacks."
Frankie, watching the tactical discussion, interjected, "The venue and referees are also crucial. Ideally, we should play in Chicago; we'll have home-court advantage. The referees should be the kind who allow for close-quarters combat, not those who always separate us."
Lowell added, “The negotiations will be very difficult. Klitschko’s team is shrewd and they will demand a high appearance fee. We must be prepared to pay a huge financial price, but the investment will be worthwhile.”
"It's a pity Tang Jin wouldn't agree! Otherwise, we could have a twin duel!!!"
"Forget about him, Tyson will be worthless because of Don King!"
Chapter 188 Battle Roster and Plan
The discussion about Klitschko lasted for nearly two hours, during which the team developed a preliminary negotiation strategy, training outline, and tactical direction.
Everyone knew that this was the only ticket to Victor's insane plan, and they had to get it.
Next, the debate resumed regarding the order of the legends list.
Frankie insisted on starting with the "safest" approach:
“I think we should start with Larry Holmes. He’s relatively young, 36, recently retired, still in good shape, and there have been rumors of his comeback. Fighting him would be less controversial and more ‘real’.”
Victor flatly refused, "We have to start with the most sensational one! Joe Louis! He's an American hero, a symbol! We have to take him down first! That'll instantly ignite global attention!"
"But his age and health condition!"
Lowell objected, "He's been training constantly, and it's hard to guarantee you can beat him."
"Therefore, the most stringent medical examinations and the most secure contract terms are required!"
Viktor insisted, "I will defeat him in ten rounds!"
Solomon pondered, “In terms of technical restraint, Sonny Liston might not be the first choice. Even at thirty-nine, his power and vicious hooks may still pose a threat.”
"Or Muller,"
Ethan said, "He's left-handed, so the tactics need to be adjusted."
The team got into a heated debate.
Everyone has their own considerations: commercial value, competition safety, technical compatibility, public acceptance, difficulty of negotiation...
Finally, amidst the uproar, a preliminary sequence was painstakingly achieved:
Vladimir Klitschko – the primary objective at present, the barrier that must be overcome;
Joe Lewis – the beginning of a legendary journey, with the greatest symbolic significance, requiring utmost caution;
Larry Holmes – a transitional figure, connecting the old and new eras, relatively stable;
Joe Frazier – His style is explosive, expectations are high, but watch out for his sudden attacks and left hook;
Michael Muller – the current technical left-handed champion, presents an even greater challenge;
Sonny Liston – High risk, high concern; extreme vigilance is needed regarding its remaining lethality.
Jack Dempsey – A Nostalgic Topic;
Rocky Marciano – The Ultimate Suspense – A Showdown with the Undefeated Legend?
The specific details also include IBF champion Traudl.
Lowell and Frankie began to outline an ambitious financial plan.
“Every Legends match requires a separate sponsorship contract and broadcasting agreement,”
Lowell said, "We need to assemble a dedicated project team to handle negotiations, legal matters, and financial management. The budget will be astronomical."
Frankie continued, "Marketing and promotion need to start six months, or even a year in advance. Documentary filming, media interviews, historical retrospectives—every game needs to be packaged as a global sporting event. We need Hollywood's top PR team."
They even discussed how to adjust their plans should Viktor unexpectedly lose to Klitschko or some other legend.
"If we lose to Klitschko, the legendary project may be postponed, but not necessarily canceled. It could even be packaged as a 'tribute tour after a phoenix-like rebirth'."
Frankie's business acumen was working at lightning speed: "Losing to a legend... would be a disaster, but the contract must ensure that our financial losses are minimized."
The meeting lasted from morning until dusk, exceeding sixteen hours.
The table was piled with empty coffee cups, scattered documents, and draft papers covered with various numbers and names.
Everyone was exhausted, but their eyes burned with excitement.
A two-year blueprint for the future, which was crazy to the point of being absurd, yet surprisingly feasible and incredibly tempting in its details, was born in this smoky, dilapidated office.
It is not just a boxing match plan, but a massive business project, a meticulously planned marketing blitz, and a proactive intrusion into and reinterpretation of boxing history.
Victor stood by the window, watching the lights of Chicago's South Side gradually illuminate and the silhouettes of skyscrapers in the distance.
His silhouette appeared firm and powerful.
"That's it."
He didn't turn around, his voice calm yet containing an undeniable determination: "First, concentrate all our efforts on taking down Klitschko. Then, let's knock on the door of legend."
Behind them, Frankie, Lowell, old Jack, Solomon, and Ethan exchanged glances, and finally, they all slowly nodded.
Challenging the established order, whether in the financial world or the boxing world, requires extraordinary ambition and courage.
On this cold Chicago winter day, this team, with young Chinese Americans at its core, has made up its mind to carve out its own niche in a world that has been dominated by white people for too long.
The story of Windy City has turned a new page, filled with violence, money, and ambition.
······
The early spring of 1988 was unusually cold, but Lowell Hadda's office was bustling with activity.
The walls were covered with boxing posters, the ashtrays were overflowing with cigar butts, and the tables were scattered with brochures from various boxing stadiums and hotel information.
"Frankie, look here."
Lowell tapped the map of the United States with his thick fingers. “We start from the East Coast. The Klitschko brothers are currently in New York, Louis is in Detroit, Holmes is in Philadelphia…”
Frankie pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, seemingly lost in thought: "The route needs to be reasonable; time is money. Victor is pressuring us; he wants to get into the ring as soon as possible."
The phone rang suddenly, and Lowell grabbed the receiver: "Hada's office!"
A moment later, he covered the microphone and turned to Frankie: "It's Klitschko's agent. They're already gathering information. It seems the younger brother can't wait to avenge his brother's knockout."