novelhk Page 193
Page 193
Reporters nearly broke through the barriers, their questions, exclamations, and incredulous shouts filling the air.
Lennox Lewis frowned, clearly not expecting his opponent to make such a shocking move during their signing ceremony.
But Lewis glanced at Frankie—Victor's promoter—who was equally dumbfounded standing to the side, and then he wasn't worried anymore:
'This Chinese-American didn't even tell the promoter?'
Victor Lee, however, seemed to have only completed a warm-up. He left the stunned crowd behind, picked up the signed copy of the contract, flashed a wild smile at the camera, turned and strode away, leaving behind a completely out-of-control scene and a media storm that was about to sweep the globe.
Chapter 162 Mad Tiger
Viktor's declaration at the signing ceremony was like a nuclear bomb dropped into a calm lake, triggering a tsunami that instantly swept across every corner of the world where boxing is involved.
The New York Post's front-page headline read: "Crazy! Victor Lee declares war on boxing champions!"
Mainichi Shimbun: "Defeat all legends before 1990! — The 'Tiger's' crazy bet!"
The Los Angeles Times commented: "Unprecedented arrogance! Victor Lee not only challenged the current champions, but also desecrated the temple of the sport. His remarks are a serious stain on the spirit of sports."
The Times (London): "Eastern 'Mad Tiger' makes outrageous statement, plunging the boxing world into huge controversy."
Media outlets supporting him, such as the Chicago Sports Journal, wrote:
"Although the method is extreme, this is the dominance of the new era! Victor Lee responded to the doubts in the most direct way. He is willing to settle all disputes with his fists. Isn't this the most original charm of boxing?"
The Brooklyn Eagle was even simpler: "Windy City tornadoes are about to sweep the world!"
Even his supporters believe his goal is "nearly impossible to achieve."
All sports talk shows are talking about this like crazy.
The guests argued heatedly, their faces turning red.
Some believe he is a marketing genius who successfully attracted all the attention and boosted the popularity of his match against Lewis—TLP was overjoyed because the remaining four matches were with him;
Some people called him a clown, saying he would do anything to become famous and had no respect for his seniors.
Others offered a rational analysis, pointing out that most of those veteran boxers had already retired, with a wide age range, the oldest being forty years old, and one even suffering from Parkinson's disease, making it physically impossible for them to participate in such matches; it was just a publicity stunt.
The boxing fan community is completely divided.
Young boxing fans went wild: "That's so cool! That's a true king! Who cares about those old guys? Viktor was right, the boxing ring is a stage for the strong, not a retirement home!"
"He did what no one else dared to do! He said what no one else dared to say! I love this guy to death!"
"Buy tickets! I have to watch every single one of his upcoming games! To see how he keeps his promise!"
"He's completely different from all the other yellow-skinned people I've met!"
Old-school boxing fans felt deeply offended:
"Shameless bastard! He has no idea what the honor and respect of boxing are!"
"He insulted the history of the sport! I hope Lewis will teach him a lesson!"
"Just watch, this arrogant guy will be exposed for what he really is sooner or later!"
"What does 'number one in the world' mean? Does he even deserve it? If he lived in another era, Ali Xiu would have broken his ankle."
The internet was not yet widespread, but in bars, barbershops, gyms... wherever men gathered, the focus of the arguments was almost always Victor Lee and his "outrageous remarks".
The veteran boxing champions who were named were collectively enraged.
Joe Frazier was furious, claiming he wished he could make a comeback immediately and teach him a lesson.
Forman scoffed, saying that if the rules allowed, he would be happy to "teach" this arrogant brat a lesson (at this point, Forman had not yet realized that his assets had been lost).
Larry Holmes issued a lengthy statement condemning Victor for his lack of basic manners.
Their reaction further fueled the controversy.
The attitudes of active boxers are divided.
Tyson himself remained silent and declined to comment, but his team said they were "concerned."
Some other boxers felt that Viktor stole all the limelight, and were both envious and jealous, while others believed that he had broken the industry's underlying rule of "respect".
People have mixed feelings about promoting it.
On the one hand, Viktor's remarks greatly boosted boxing's popularity, meaning potentially huge box office and broadcasting fees;
On the other hand, his unpredictability also gives many people a headache.
Viktor's nickname "The Tiger" might have previously only described his fierce fighting style, but now it perfectly matches his arrogant, unruly, and provocative image.
He is no longer just a boxer; he has become a phenomenon, a symbol.
He represents ultimate confidence (or arrogance), rebellion against tradition, the edge of a new era, and controversy itself.
His commercial value soared amidst huge controversy, with advertising offers and interview requests pouring in, but his team handled them all carefully.
Victor Lee, who was at the center of the storm, disappeared from the public eye.
He did not give any further interviews or respond to any criticism.
Paparazzi have taken photos of him at the training camp.
In the photo, he is soaked in sweat, his eyes fixed intently on the sandbag, undergoing almost brutal training.
The newspaper caption accompanying the photo read: "After the boastful words, comes hellish training."
His coach stated in a single, brief telephone interview:
“Viktor never makes empty promises. Once he says something, he will do everything in his power to achieve it. His training volume is twice what it used to be. He has studied the videos of all the opponents he has named, leaving no one out. You focus on what he says, we only focus on what he will do next.”
This seems to suggest that it was not just a marketing gimmick or an emotional outburst, but a... real target.
A crazy plan?
This added a touch of unbelievable anticipation and astonishment to the already explosive public opinion.
Is he really going to try to challenge those legends?
How can this be?
The match against Lennox Lewis took on a whole new meaning.
This was no longer just a showdown between a rising star and a top challenger; it became a touchstone to test the true strength of "Mad Tiger" and the starting point of his crazy declaration.
Everyone is watching to see if he can deliver on some of his promises of strength to Lewis.
The pressure now rested entirely on Victor Lee's shoulders.
If he loses to Lewis, all his previous comments will become the biggest laughing stock in sports history, and he will be forever nailed to the pillar of shame.
But if he wins... then this global media storm, ignited by his own hand, will only be the prelude to an even more insane era.
"The Tiger" Victor Lee shocked the world with a single-round victory and stirred up the world with his words.
Now, he remains silent, responding only with the sweat he sheds on the training field. The whole world awaits his next move, awaiting the answer he will write with his fists.
It enjoys unparalleled success, yet is also fraught with danger.
Viktor's agent, Lowell, who was almost bald, said to his most trusted friend, Cream Bean, "Perhaps you could learn from him."
Creamy Bean shook his head: "I don't want you to find out that one day I will die a violent death in the street, with sixty-eight holes in my back marking my death. I don't have 460,000 Chinese Americans as my informants, nor do I have the background to bring out six thousand Chicago typewriters."
"Then let's sign! Transfer to Skywind City Sports Promotion Company! They don't have many boxers right now, you'll have a very prominent position!"
"He wants to create the fifth major organization?"
"I don't know if he has completed the acquisition."
"He is just a Chinese American."
"Oh, don't you know that Chinese Americans are actually Franklin's color?"
"You're right, but why should I join him?"
"Because you can get at least $50,000 in appearance fees, and..."
"That's a good idea, I agree."
"You are such a fickle person."
"Do I need to go to the beach and smear ginger juice on myself to turn yellow?"
"I suggest applying orange peel."
·······
On September 1, 1987, downtown Chicago was bathed in the golden sunlight of early autumn.
A gentle breeze from the shores of Lake Michigan caresses the city skyline, the most striking feature of which is an unfinished skyscraper—the main building of Skywind City Group. Its steel frame has already reached forty stories, and the glass curtain wall is half-installed, shimmering asymmetrically in the sunlight.
Right next to this unfinished building, a ceremony platform had been set up on a vast open space, with a red carpet spread out and a huge banner fluttering in the wind that read "Fengcheng Plaza Hotel Groundbreaking Ceremony".
The audience was packed with people, estimated to be in the tens of thousands, the vast majority of whom were Chinese residents of Chicago and across the United States.
They were dressed in their festive best, their faces beaming with pride and anticipation.
Viktor stood in a makeshift tent behind the stage, adjusting his tie.
He is 21 years old and 186 cm tall. His broad shoulders and thick neck still highlight his glory as a world boxing champion.
He was in the prime of his life.
Even in a tailor-made Italian suit, he looked more like a boxer ready to enter the ring than a real estate developer.
"Are you nervous, Viktor?"
A familiar voice came from behind: "Welcome to join us!"
Victor turned around and saw Donald TLP striding towards him, followed by several assistants and bodyguards.
TLP was twice the age of Viktor, with meticulously combed blonde hair and a signature confident smile on her face—Ivana was also stunningly beautiful.
"It's just a groundbreaking ceremony, Donald."
Viktor shook hands with TLP, his grip perfectly controlled: "There is no political background to this groundbreaking ceremony."
“But this is different, my friend, everyone knows that you made us tear Chicago apart.”
Trump lowered his voice, "Today we're not just bringing developers and architects, but also our bigwigs. Senator Ubelman and George W. Bush will be here, not to mention the financial giants hiding behind the scenes."
Viktor nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd outside the tent.