Jason Luo's tactics drained the match of excitement. Fans who had paid premium prices grew restless, some even cursing out loud.
The commentator wasn't any happier. At first, he tried to excuse it, saying things like "Jason Luo is playing cautiously," but as the fight dragged on, even he couldn't cover anymore. Come on, throw some punches! How was he supposed to commentate when only one man was attacking?
But Jason Luo ignored it all, sticking to his shell defense. Only when Carl closed in did he lash out with wild counters, sometimes even wiggling his hips smugly between exchanges, as if he were enjoying a light workout instead of fighting...
Too much!
Carl felt insulted.
Had this kid been bribed to make him look like a fool? This was the championship, broadcast live—who fought like this?
The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Carl swore he'd teach Jason Luo a lesson. Don't think turtling will save you—today I'll smash through your shell!
So, before the first round ended, Carl unleashed a true storm of punches. Jason Luo instantly felt the danger. Carl was no joke—his Punch Speed was sharp, his power heavy, both hands threatening. Even with Jason Rodfending with everything he had, he still took damage.
Two shots landed on his ribs, one clipped his head. Luckily, none were clean hits. With his Toughness at a monstrous 18 points—insanely high for the amateur ranks—Jason Luo could withstand it as long as nothing struck a vital spot.
But Carl's left hook to the body was something else. Twice it hammered Jason Luo's arm so hard it felt like it might snap. Jason Luo immediately focused on blocking that left hook, no longer daring to take it head-on.
As Carl pressed forward with his relentless assault, the crowd rallied behind him, cheering for him to break through Jason Luo's defense. To them, Jason Luo's style was shameless.
In the northwest stands, more than two hundred supporters gathered. Someone asked Dr. Miao, "Should we organize and wave banners to cheer for Jason Luo?"
Richard Cao cut in, "Wait. Something feels off. Jason Luo isn't the type to fight this way. Let's watch a bit longer. If you start shouting 'Dragon Slayer' right now, won't it just turn into a joke?"
In the ring, Carl pounded away like a machine, but Jason Luo stood like a fortress. He looked battered, but no matter how Carl pressed, he didn't fall. Carl unloaded dozens of punches without breaking him. The moment he eased up, Jason Luo struck back!
Caught off guard, Carl took a straight punch flush. The blow was heavy enough to make him stumble back a step. Gasps erupted from the stands.
Carl was furious, ready to retaliate—only for the bell to ring, ending round one.
Jason Luo jumped with joy like a kid sneaking candy, bouncing back to his corner grinning as if to show off. Infuriating!
Brown, ever the showman, greeted him with a big smile, deliberately praising loudly, "Beautiful work, Jason! That's it—keep going like this and you'll last the whole fight. We believe in you!"
The two even chuckled while sneaking glances at Carl's corner, which only made Carl's blood pressure spike and his face flush red.
Carl's coach stayed calm. "Don't fall for it, Carl. Manage your stamina. Your real goal is the finals. You're already ahead on points—no need to slug it out."
Carl knew his coach was right. Forcing down his rage, he drew deep breaths to recover.
Meanwhile, Brown whispered, "Jason, that round went well, but it's not enough. The next one is key. Stick to the plan—find a chance to unleash a furious barrage. Push him over the edge. Only then will he lose control."
"But be careful. Once he's mad, he could be even more dangerous."
Jason Luo nodded. "Understood. I'll hold on."
...
As round two opened, Jason Luo noticed Carl had cooled down, keeping the fight at range and refusing to close. That wouldn't do.
Jason Luo's eyes lit up with an idea.
So you won't come in? Fine. Then I won't bother defending either.
He dropped his guard, shook his fists loose, and gave Carl an exaggerated look of relaxation, as if saying: Perfect. You're not tired, I'm not tired. Let's just coast till the bell and grab lunch after.
Carl snapped. Tens of thousands of people were watching—and this guy was mocking him?
He couldn't stand it anymore. Carl lunged in and let loose another furious barrage. Today, he would beat the arrogance out of this kid!
But then Jason Luo's expression changed. Behind his guard, he had been studying Carl's rhythm and waiting for openings. Now his fists coiled, ready to explode.
In his head, he counted. Carl had already thrown forty, fifty punches. Almost time. Now!
With a roar, Jason Luo dropped his guard and unleashed a ferocious counterattack. It was sudden, it was violent—Carl never saw it coming!
Jason Luo had been bottling up frustration for more than a round. Who wanted to turtle up and lose face in a final if they didn't have to? Finally, he could cut loose.
He charged forward, battering Carl, who reeled from two clean punches before quickly tightening his defense. True to his pedigree, Carl blocked or slipped the rest, but Jason Luo's momentum forced him backward, step by step, until he was driven from one side of the ring to the other.
The crowd erupted. At last—this was a real fight!
But once Jason Luo had spent his burst, he immediately covered up and retreated, clearly adopting a "hit, then run" stance.
Carl was livid.
What the hell?
Oh, so you land your shots, then turtle up again? Think this is your grandma's house—eat, wipe your mouth, and stroll away?
Not a chance!
By now Carl had completely forgotten his coach's advice. One thought consumed him: no matter what, Jason Luo had to go down today!
Snarling, Carl pounced again, throwing out vicious combinations—especially his deadly left hook to the body—without holding back.
The commentator finally had something to work with. "Oh my God! Jason Luo, who'd been on the defensive for a round and a half, suddenly exploded with a brutal counter! Carl took several clean shots—are we about to see an all-out war?"
"What? Jason Luo is... shameless! After that outburst, he's gone back into his shell. Unbelievable! Look—Carl's attacking again. Yes! Break through his defense, put him down!"
The bizarre rhythm of the fight had the entire arena on edge. Even the commentators had lost their composure as the atmosphere boiled higher...