Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

"Hey, Yankees, get out of here, you losers!"

A lean, dark-skinned boxer from the Cuban team yelled at Link as they passed by.

"What are they shouting?"

Jones Fullos looked confusedly at the team's translator.

"Fuck! It sounds like they're calling us Yankees, should we hit them?"

Morales puffed up his muscles and said angrily.

The translator hesitated and looked toward the head coach, unsure whether to translate.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The United States and Cuba are neighboring but hostile countries, with the former being capitalist and the latter communist.

Since the 1960s, the United States had imposed trade blockades, embargoes, and economic sanctions on Cuba and orchestrated the Bay of Pigs invasion.

Cuba grew close to the Soviet Union and in 1962, sparked the Cuban Missile Crisis, almost igniting World War III.

In 1980, Cuba also quietly sent 150,000 drug traffickers, the mentally ill, convicts, drug addicts, prostitutes, and thieves to Miami.

The two sides had been undermining each other for decades.

To this day, the United States had not lifted its blockade on Cuba.

Cuba still viewed America as its arch-enemy.

In the sport of boxing, they were even fiercer rivals.

Every time they met in international competitions, Cuban boxers would fiercely beat their American counterparts.

Since the 1960s, in the Olympic finals, the American team had only beaten the Cuban team twice.

The first time was at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where Sugar Ray Leonard beat a Cuban boxer to win the gold medal;

The second was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where Mayweather defeated his Cuban opponent to win gold.

Both of these Olympics were held in the United States; had they been abroad, the results might have been different.

Because of the tense relations between the two countries, the translator hesitated to literally translate the provocative words, fearing it might lead to a physical altercation and impact the match.

"Shut up, Castro, they are our guests."

Cuban coach Felix Savon scolded sharply and, pulling the young black boxer along, came over to formally apologize to the American team.

Link smiled lightly and walked over, greeting in Spanish, "Hello Mr. Savon, my name is Link Baker. I've watched your match videos; your fighting style is very tenacious and is something we juniors can learn from."

"You are Link Baker?"

Felix Savon seemed surprised when he saw him, as if he recognized him.

At that moment, a Cuban walked over and whispered in Savon's ear, introducing Link, explaining that he was the top Super Middleweight in the American team and had just knocked out the Mexican team's second-ranked Martin in the boxing ring, advancing smoothly to the second round.

"KO?"

"Was his opponent a rookie?"

Several Cuban team members exclaimed loudly.

Savon glared at his disciples and extended his hand to Link, smiling, "Mr. Link Baker, I know you. In this year's United States Golden Gloves Tournament, you won 17 fights with 17 KOs. You are an impressive boxer."

"17 times KO?"

"Amateur matches?"

The several Cuban team members looked at Link in surprise.

If he had successfully KO'd the second-best boxer from Mexico, it might just be due to the opponent's lower level.

But winning 17 times by KO in American amateur competitions indicates that this guy is indeed formidable.

Lorenzo Aragon also looked at Link seriously, sizing up Link's physique and features as if he were assessing an enemy.

Link, unaffected, smiled and shook hands with Savon, saying, "I hardly deserve such praise. It's just a little gimmick to catch people's eyes, not worthy of your commendation. Truly impressive are individuals like you, a three-time champion who not only proved your strength but also brought honor to your country. All athletes should learn from you."

This statement was not flattery but a genuine recognition that the spirit of such individuals is truly worth learning from for all athletes.

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in Spain, after Savon won the Heavyweight Gold medal, the famous American boxing promoter Don King offered 5 million US Dollars to sign and promote him, inviting him to America for professional competitions.

Due to concerns about talent drain and security risks raised by the Cuban government, since 1962, boxers have been prohibited from turning professional and competing internationally; it was considered an act of 'defection.'

Additionally, according to Olympic regulations, professional boxers are not allowed to compete on behalf of any country or region in amateur competitions like the Olympics.

Savon turned down the 5 million dollar check to continue as an amateur boxer, winning three Olympic Gold medals, and never fought a professional match until his retirement.

He was a renowned Heavyweight Boxer, who, if he had been more lenient with his bottom line, could have easily earned tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of US Dollars by crossing the 358 kilometers of the Florida Straits to America. But he did not.

If such a situation had arisen for Link, he was not sure he would have been able to do the same, hence his great admiration for such true patriots.

"Haha! Mr. Link Baker, you flatter me, I am already old. The future of boxing belongs to you youngsters."

Savon laughed heartily, patting Link's arm. Link's admiration was apparent to him, yet he couldn't quite understand why an American would look at him that way and felt somewhat uneasy about it.

When Link and the others left, Savon immediately pulled his disciple, Lorenzo Aragon, aside. Watching Link's departing figure, he said solemnly, "Aragon, remember him, he is definitely a stumbling block on your path to the Olympic Gold Medal."

Aragon glanced at Link and nodded seriously, "I understand!"

"This Link Baker is no simple contender. He might have less experience than you, but in terms of mentality and strength, he is barely any less skilled. Starting now, you need to take him seriously, watch his matches, and learn what he is good at and what he isn't." Experience more tales on empire

Still unsettled, Savon had his disciples find the cameramen on site and asked them to make a copy of Link's match footage for him to review personally.

At the same time, Savon also regretted that not long ago a friend had talked to him about the American Golden Gloves Tournament, mentioning Link Baker's record of 17 KOs in 17 fights. He had merely marveled at the young man's great strength without paying much attention.

After all, boxing is not weightlifting; brute strength alone is useless, technique and speed are the keys to victory.

But having met Link Baker in person, he had to take him seriously. This fellow was not the typical large-framed African American or brown-skinned Mexican he had imagined but rather a refined and handsome Caucasian with decent manners, a mild temperament, and a stable character.

Fair-skinned people tend to be intelligent. Coupled with his enormous strength and boxing skill, he should not be underestimated.

Fortunately, this was in Cuba.

There were several rounds left in the competition, plenty of time to understand this opponent, Link. Savon also planned to employ some tactics to delay Link's match against Aragon until the finals, increasing their chances of a showdown then.

Once Aragon fully understood Link's abilities, he would stand a better chance in the match.