Chapter 413: The Meaning of Iron (2/2)
But the coach knew that ”iron” did not describe Hopkins's body, but his willpower, his perseverance.
You can fall, but your will never falls!
…
”He is still persevering in such a situation. A tough guy!” Ayres sighed suddenly.
Dai Li agreed. ”Yes. The media said that he was the future ruler of heavyweight boxing. That was not an overstatement. His technique is already at the top of all heavyweight boxers. And he is also so persistent and dauntless! Hopkins is really a perfect athlete. But he met you and Taylor.”
”Taylor is a boxer whose advantages and shortcomings are equally obvious. But his advantages are so great. Taylor might be the only boxer of his kind in the history of boxing. Therefore, Taylor does not have remind you of anyone. He is the only one,” Ayres said. Then he pointed at Hopkins.
”But Hopkins is different. What he stands for is the future direction of boxing. A comprehensive balance of power, speed, attack, defense, and awareness. I think such a boxer, who once took part in the Olympic Games, will be a star of boxing. He is the future of boxing!”
”I can't believe you speak so highly of Hopkins!” Dai Li was surprised.
”If I were twenty years younger, I would be eager to teach an athlete like Hopkins. He is really perfect... Um...” Suddenly Ayres stopped and then went on happily, ”Even if he's knocked down by his opponent, it doesn't lessen his perfection!”
As Ayres spoke, Taylor knocked Hopkins down again. And this time, Hopkins could not get up again.
…
On the screen, the referee grabbed Taylor's hand and raised it up to announce that Taylor was the winner.
In front of the TV, Highfield pressed the remote control to turn off the TV with a serious face.
”Taylor won!” said the man who was both Highfield's elder brother and his agent. ”Taylor's physical strength is beyond my expectation. I thought he could only fight five or six rounds, but he finished it in the eighth round.
Highfield shook his head. ”The match ended in the sixth round, the moment Taylor hit Hopkins in the jaw. Such a heavy blow from Taylor erased any possibility of continuing the match. Hopkins kept fighting in the next two rounds with nothing but his will.”
”Hopkins deserves his appearance fee. Two more rounds mean more commercial ads. That will make the organizers happy.” His brother picked up a piece of fruit from the table and bit into it, then said, ”I think you will be the next in Taylor's list of opponents. You are the holder of a WBA heavyweight golden belt. And Taylor was the heavyweight champion of the WBA for three years consecutively. And he is still holding a grudge about your last match. You must be careful.”
His brother's mention of ”your last match” made Highfield touch the ear that Taylor had bitten. And then Highfield said, ”Taylor is in good condition recently, which can be inferred from his winning streak. And he just defeated Hopkins and took Hopkins's WBO and IBF golden belts. He is having his day now. It would not be wise for me to fight him now. My match with him must happen in a suitable moment, either when he is not in good condition or when I am fully prepared.”
”So, what do you want?” asked his brother.
”There are 15 WBA golden belt challengers. Why do I have to accept Taylor's challenge?” Highfield smiled cunningly. ”Let's have a fight with a weaker one first to fulfill this year's obligation.”