Chapter 51: KO to the end

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

When the Cuban boxing team passed by, a dark and thin boxer shouted to Link.

"What are they shouting?"

Jones Foles looked at the translator of the boxing team in confusion.

"Fuck! They seem to call us Yankees, do you want to beat him?"

Morales flexed his muscles and said angrily.

The translator looked at the coach of the team in embarrassment, not knowing whether to translate.

The United States and Cuba are neighbors and enemies. The United States is a capitalist country and Cuba is a red country.

The United States has imposed trade blockades, embargoes, and economic sanctions on Cuba since the 1960s, creating the Bay of Pigs landing incident.

Cuba is close to the Soviet Union and created the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which almost ignited the fuse of World War III.

In 1980, 150,000 drug dealers, psychopaths, death row prisoners, drug addicts, prostitutes, and thieves were secretly sent to Miami.

The two sides have been digging holes for each other for decades.

So far, the United States has not lifted the blockade against Cuba.

Cuba still hates the United States and regards the United States as its number one enemy.

In boxing, the two sides are even more mortal enemies.

Every time they meet in international competitions, Cuban boxers will beat American boxers.

Since the 1960s, the US team has only won twice after meeting the Cuban team in the Olympic finals.

The first time was the 1976 Montreal Olympics, when boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard defeated the Cuban boxer to win the gold medal;

The second time was at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, when Mayweather defeated his Cuban opponent and won the gold medal.

Both Olympic Games were held in the United States. If they were held abroad, it would be uncertain who would win.

Due to the tense relationship between the two countries, the translator heard the provocative words from the other side and didn't know whether to translate the words directly. If he translated them, he was worried that they would fight and affect the game.

"Shut up, Cartero, they are guests."

Cuban coach Felix Savon scolded, and pulled the black boy over to apologize to the US team solemnly.

Link smiled lightly, walked over directly, and greeted in Spanish: "Hello, Mr. Savon, my name is Link Baker, I have seen your game video, your fighting style in the arena is very tenacious, worthy of learning for us younger generations."

"Are you Link Baker?"

Felix Savon was a little surprised when he saw him, as if he knew him.

At this time, a Cuban came over and introduced Link to Savon's ear, saying that he was the first super middleweight of the US team, and just KOed the second place Martin of the Mexican team in the boxing ring and successfully advanced to the second round.

"KO?"

"Is his opponent a rookie?"

Several Cuban players exclaimed loudly.

Savon glared at several disciples, stretched out his hand to Link and shook it, and smiled: "Mr. Link Baker, I know you, in this year's US Golden Gloves Championship, you won 17 games and KOed your opponents 17 times. You are an amazing boxer."

"KO opponents 17 times?"

"Amateur competition?"

Several Cuban players looked at Link in surprise.

If he successfully knocked out the second-placed Mexican, it might be because his opponent was not good enough.

But in the American amateur competition, he won 17 times by knocking out his opponent, which shows that this guy is really good.

Lorenzo Aragon also looked at Link seriously, and carefully looked at Link's physical features with the eyes of looking at an enemy.

Link smiled indifferently, shook Savon's hand and said: "I don't dare to be amazing, it's just a trick to attract people's attention, not worthy of your praise, the real amazing is people like you, three championships, not only prove your strength, but also win honor for the country, all our athletes should learn from you."

This is not flattery, but the other party's spirit is really worth learning for all athletes.

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in Spain, after Savon won the heavyweight gold medal, the famous American boxing promoter Don King offered 5 million to sign and promote him, and invited him to the United States to participate in professional competitions.

Since 1962, the Cuban government has banned boxers from becoming professional players, citing issues such as brain drain and potential safety hazards. Going abroad to compete is equivalent to "defection."

In addition, according to Olympic regulations, professional boxers cannot represent their country or region in amateur competitions such as the Olympics.

Saon gave up the 5 million check and continued to be an amateur boxer. He won three gold medals at the Olympics and never played a professional game until he retired.

He is a famous heavyweight boxer. If he had a more flexible bottom line, he could easily make tens of millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars by crossing the 358-kilometer Florida Strait and going to the United States to develop, but he didn't.

If this happened to Link, he was not sure if he could do it, so he admired this kind of true patriot.

"Haha! Mr. Link Baker, you are too kind. I am old, and the future of boxing belongs to you young people."

Saon laughed and patted Link's arm. He also saw the admiration in Link's eyes, but he didn't understand why an American would look at him in this way, and he felt a little uncomfortable.

After Link and his companions left, Savon immediately pulled his disciple Lorenzo Aragon to his side, looked at Link's back, and said seriously: "Aragon, remember him, he is definitely a stumbling block on your way to winning the Olympic gold medal."

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

"This Link Baker is not simple. He may not be as experienced as you, but in terms of mentality and strength, he is definitely not much worse than you. From now on, you have to pay attention to him, watch more of his games, and know what he is good at and what he is not good at."

Savon was still worried after saying all this, so he asked his disciples to find the cameramen on the scene and asked them to copy a copy of Link's game video. He wanted to watch Link's game in person.

At the same time, Savon also felt a little regretful. Not long ago, his friend talked to him about the American Golden Gloves Competition and Link Baker's record of 17 fights and 17 KOs. At that time, he just admired the young man's strength and didn't take it too seriously.

After all, boxing is not weightlifting. Only brute force is useless. Technology and speed are the key to victory.

But after seeing Link Baker himself, he had to be cautious. This guy was not the big black guy or the brown-red Mexican he imagined, but a gentle and handsome white man with good conversation, mild temper and steady personality.

Light-skinned people are naturally smart, and with his terrifying strength and boxing skills, he should never be underestimated.

Fortunately, this is Cuba.

There are still a few rounds to go, so there is plenty of time to get to know Link, his opponent. At the same time, he is also prepared to use some tricks to delay the match between Link and Aragorn, so that they can meet again in the finals.

After Aragorn fully understands Link's strength, the chances of winning will be greater.