Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

Fans exclaimed in admiration after seeing the movie stills, commenting that it was incredibly cool and overshadowed all the male idols in the circle.

Many left messages expressing anticipation for the movie.

Some media outlets voiced concerns about Link filming a movie right before the competition.

Through media coverage, everyone now knows that Link will face the WBA-WBC-WBO-IBF Middleweight Champion Bernard Hopkins in July.

They worry that heading off to film a movie might affect the match.

Link's agent, Zhang Ying, stated in an interview with the media that Link is still actively training for the upcoming competition, and the movie shoot will start only after the match wraps up.

The "Golden Armor" film crew also assured that they would adjust the filming schedule according to Link's match and ensure it does not interfere with the competition.

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In early July, after training in Beijing for over a month, Link flew to Tokyo, Japan, to attend the Middleweight World Champion Challenge held at the Tokyo Dome.

The bout was initially scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, United States, but representatives from the Japan Boxing Association, Sumitomo Corporation, and Tokyo TV intervened, purchasing the hosting rights for a prize money of $30 million US Dollars.

The event was thus moved to Tokyo.

Bernard Hopkins received $4 million in appearance fees, Link took home $1 million, and the remaining $25 million prize money was split 70/30 between winner and loser after negotiations between the agents of both fighters.

Japan promoted this match with great fervor, with almost every major media outlet involved in reporting, likening the bout to the famous 1990 match between Mike Tyson and James Douglas.

That historic match was also hosted at Tokyo Dome.

Boxing challenger James Douglas stunned the world in the tenth round, defeating the undefeated Mike Tyson to win the WBC-WBA-IBF three Golden Belts, becoming the undisputed Heavyweight Boxing Champion.

Japanese media speculated that Link has a strong chance of making history during this match, becoming the first Asian boxer to hold the four organization belts as the World Champion, and the first undefeated champion as well.

On the day of the match, the Tokyo Dome was packed to full capacity.

Media reported that tickets for the bout sold out on the third day of sale, totaling 42,500 tickets.

Regular tickets were priced at 1,000 yen, approximately $70 US Dollars, while VIP tickets were sold for 1 million yen, with rumors suggesting that members of the royal family were present in the audience.

Additionally, over thirty countries, including Huaxia, South Korea, New Zealand, the United States, Britain, and Australia, purchased broadcasting rights for the match in advance.

The "Business Daily" estimated that Japan would recoup costs just from broadcasting rights fees alone, not to mention income generated from hotels, restaurants, transportation, and advertising sponsorships, making the event an exceptionally lucrative one.

Before the match, Japan also arranged a half-hour warm-up show featuring performances from the newly-formed girl group AKB48, singer Ayumi Hamasaki, and rock band X-Japan.

Link and Hopkins' match officially began at 6 p.m., with Link's entrance receiving thunderous cheers from Huaxia spectators and Japanese fans, far outnumbering the cheers for Hopkins.

"Hmph! Link, I don't know what tricks you've been using to win your previous matches, but today, I guarantee you'll be the one to lose!"

Hopkins clenched his fists tightly, his eyes glaring like a bull.

"Bernard, if you choose to surrender now, I can let you walk away with some dignity. But if you don't, today might end up worse for you than it did for Jermain Taylor."

Link smiled confidently.

"Bullshit! I'm the Middleweight Champion of the four major organizations, and you think I'd surrender? That's absolutely impossible. But if you're willing to give up, I can pay you $5 million afterward. How about that?"

Hopkins sneered through his gritted teeth.

"No thanks. If I beat you, I'll make even more U.S. dollars."

Link replied.

The referee stepped onto the ring to announce the rules and, ensuring both fighters understood, declared the match officially started.

Although Hopkins behaved recklessly before the match, as if willing to risk everything, once the match began, he immediately retreated two steps, raised his fists defensively, and adopted a full defensive posture, his eyes fixed fiercely on Link.

Every time Link moved, Hopkins would react instantly, preventing Link from landing a hit.

At 40 years old, Hopkins was stronger than the 46-year-old version Link fought back in 2011, and Link's current strength wasn't at its peak compared to then.

In that previous match, Link had KO'ed Hopkins in two rounds, but to secure victory in just one round this time, he would have to adopt a far more aggressive strategy.

As Link advanced, Hopkins kept retreating, refusing to engage. Even when urged by the referee to start fighting, Hopkins remained indifferent.

Given the scale of the match today, unless Hopkins committed a severe offense, the referee would not call off the fight or penalize him. Such measures would undoubtedly upset the audience who paid to watch the bout live and incur losses for the organizers.

Hopkins' strategy seemed to be dragging out the first round and only engaging in the next one, presumably to avoid embarrassment even if defeated.

He grinned smugly at Link, baring his teeth.

Seeing Hopkins' tactics, Link changed his approach and stopped attempting attacks, relaxing his posture as he dropped his fists and nonchalantly walked toward Hopkins with an air of disdain.

Hopkins, enraged by Link's provocative stance, glared at him with burning anger.

The crowd in the arena erupted in booing, calling Hopkins a coward, demanding that he admit defeat and relinquish the Golden Belt, questioning his very right to stand in the boxing ring.

"Bernard! You're disgracing the name of boxers everywhere."

Link spat through his mouthguard.

Hopkins glowered and continued retreating. At that moment, Link suddenly lunged forward, taking a giant step and cornering Hopkins against the ropes. Ignoring the rules, Link used his arm to pin Hopkins while striking two heavy blows into Hopkins' left ribs.

Forced to retaliate, Hopkins threw a punch aimed at Link's head.

Link deliberately slowed his movements, allowing Hopkins' punch to graze the left side of his forehead, which caused him to stagger back a couple of steps.

"Whoa!"

Upon seeing the turn of events, the crowd erupted in excited shouts.

Having landed a hit, Hopkins seemed invigorated and began hammering toward Link aggressively.

Compared to his older self, today's Hopkins displayed considerable strength and speed, with punches weighing in at about 800 pounds.

But Link was unfazed, knowing that his overall capability still edged out Hopkins'. He had both greater experience and prior victories over him.

As Hopkins pressed his attack, Link stood his ground, skillfully weaving and dodging each punch with finesse.

Several times, Hopkins' punches seemed about to hit, only for Link to evade them through clever techniques, making the sequence thrilling and intense.

The audience roared in astonishment at such a spectacular display.

After Hopkins threw a dozen punches, Link began his counterattack.

Unconcerned about taking blows, Link closed the distance and engaged in a slugfest with Hopkins, unleashing Straight Punches, Swing Punches, and Hook Punches in quick succession, targeting both high and low areas.

Hopkins retaliated with equal intensity, mixing real and feints blows focused on critical areas of Link's body.

In less than 60 seconds, both fighters threw over a hundred punches, landing their hits, making the fight ferocious and raw.

The crowd cheered and roared with excitement.

145 seconds into the match, Link landed a powerful blow into Hopkins' abdomen. Hopkins, using his advantage in reach, struck Link's chin with a swift Hook Punch. Link staggered backward, slightly too slow, and Hopkins' punch narrowly grazed his chin, almost landing flush.

"Whoa!!"

The audience gasped audibly.

Emboldened, Hopkins closed in on Link and launched a fierce Right Swing Punch aimed at Link's head.

Link seemed petrified, standing still without moving.

Hopkins' eyes sparkled with exhilaration as he quickened his swing, aiming to slam it into Link's face. If this punch connected, it might result in a first-round KO, solidifying Hopkins as the true Middleweight Champion.

"Watch out!!"

At that moment, someone shouted from the audience.

It sounded like Hoyle's voice, but Hopkins couldn't understand why Hoyle was shouting at that critical juncture.