### Chapter 233: The World Grows Weary of Richard

In mid-May, a notable event shook the boxing world.

Hassim Rahman, the WBU heavyweight champion known for his powerful punches, challenged Lennox Lewis, the WBC-IBF-IBO world champion. Lewis was ranked number one globally, while Rahman was 14th.

Most people expected Lewis to win easily.

However, an unexpected turn of events occurred. In the fifth round, Rahman landed a cold punch that knocked Lewis out. Lewis couldn’t recover, losing his WBC-IBF-IBO titles and falling from his top spot to being an ordinary contender.

Rahman’s surprise victory made headlines across the boxing and sports communities.

Reflecting on Evander Holyfield’s fall from grace in March, once considered a heavyweight pillar alongside Lewis, it was surprising to see both of them lose in such a short span.

It served as a reminder that in boxing, there’s no such thing as an undefeated champion forever.

“Rahman actually won? He couldn’t even beat me, yet he defeated Lewis? If I had known, I’d have challenged Lewis myself,” Paul said, stunned as he watched Rahman on TV. Seeing a former rival become a world champion made him wonder if he was better than the reigning champ.

“It’s not too late to challenge him now,” Richard suggested with a smile.

“Yes, you’re right. I want to beat Rahman and become a champion myself.”

Paul immediately called Andy, requesting a bout against Rahman for the championship belts. This was a golden opportunity to claim four championship belts, one that couldn’t be missed.

Andy and Bob agreed it was a great chance. If Paul defeated Rahman and Richard won against John Ruiz, Star Sports’ boxers would hold all four major belts.

“Ha ha, Richard, I heard you’re going to challenge John Ruiz. I fought him a few years ago, and he’s no match for you. If you win the WBA title, and I get the WBC-IBF-IBO-WBU belts… wait a minute,” Paul suddenly frowned. “Then we’ll have a unification fight. I wouldn’t stand a chance against you, and you could easily claim all five belts. Richard, did you plan this all along?”

“What are you talking about?” Richard was puzzled.

“How to get all five belts quickly and safely—you defeat John Ruiz first, then beat me. It shouldn’t be too hard for you, so was your training with me just a way to secure the heavyweight title?”

Paul rubbed his chin and squinted.

“Get lost! Do I need your help to win the belts? Besides, have you even won a belt yet?”

Richard shot him a look and continued his training.

“Ha ha, Richard, I’m just joking. We’re friends, right?” Paul said, putting his arm around Richard’s shoulder and smiling widely. “I wanted to discuss something with you.”

“Go ahead!” Richard walked towards the punching bag.

“If I defeat Rahman and win the WBC-IBF-IBO-WBU titles, would you not challenge me?”

Paul flashed a hopeful smile.

“Sure, I agree.”

“Ha ha, it’s settled then.”

Paul laughed heartily.

Richard shook his head, thinking Paul was overthinking it. He was just an ordinary contender now; Rahman would hardly accept a challenge easily. There was still plenty to discuss.

Richard continued his training, focusing on adapting to the heavyweight division, which required increasing his weight to over 190 pounds. Transitioning from light heavyweight to heavyweight meant adjustments in punching power, speed, reflexes, and overall adaptability.

Fortunately, with Paul as a training partner and several heavyweight boxers from Star Sports to spar with, his training was progressing smoothly.

“Richard, I have a question,” Bob Reut, his manager, said after a training session. “We recently announced your move to the heavyweight division, and now the major boxing organizations and media are curious about something.”

“What’s that?” Richard asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Are you planning to vacate your light heavyweight titles? Many light heavyweight boxers are waiting for you to relinquish the belts so they can compete for them.”

“What’s your opinion?” Richard asked with a smile.

"Our opinion is that you shouldn't give up just yet. You're only 23 years old, and many boxers haven't even entered the professional arena at your age. As long as your form doesn't decline, you can still dominate this field for another ten years. It would be a shame to give up now, especially since you haven't yet established yourself firmly in the heavyweight division. There's no need to lower your status."

Bob said.

Richard smiled. In boxing, as long as the champion is willing to accept challenges, whether or not to give up the title is entirely up to the individual.

He is a light heavyweight boxer, currently weighing 180 pounds. If he cuts down to 175 pounds, he can compete in the light heavyweight division. Gaining 10+ pounds would allow him to compete in heavyweight matches.

In fact, he could also compete in the cruiserweight division, but there aren’t many well-known boxers in that category, making the competition weak and not doing much to boost his reputation. He doesn’t want to waste time on it.

Because of his weight flexibility, there's no need to give up his current honors and let others take advantage.

“Let’s go with your suggestion, I won’t give it up.”

“Good!”

Bob Ruit got to work on the arrangements.

The next day, the New York Post’s sports section headline read: "I Want to Dominate for Another Ten Years."

The news article stated that Richard Brad wasn’t planning to give up his four light heavyweight championship belts.

Because he’s still very young, younger than all the other well-known light heavyweight boxers.

Currently, there’s no one who can threaten his position, nor will there be in the future.

Richard stated that even as he pursues the heavyweight title, he will also continue to take care of the light heavyweight matches, intending to dominate the field for at least another ten years. He thanked his fans for their support.

Once this news broke, there was an outcry in the light heavyweight division.

Previously, it was rumored that Richard was moving up to heavyweight, and everyone was excited. With Richard, the overlord, gone, they could finally enjoy themselves and divide up the territory.

But now this guy says he’s not leaving and even plans to dominate both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions for the next ten years. Isn’t that just bullying?

Then someone jokingly said that light heavyweight boxers were being crushed by Richard so badly that everyone should join forces to take him down.

"Richard, Richard Hall’s management company has issued a challenge to you. Not long ago, Richard Hall won the IBO and IBA titles, and he wants to fight you in a title unification bout."

Bob Ruit said with a smile.

"His two belts aren’t worth much. Should I accept?"

Richard smiled.

"The other side has stated that they’re willing to forgo the PPV revenue share."

Bob Ruit said.

"Oh?"

As a famous boxer, a significant portion of match earnings comes from PPV revenue sharing. If he’s giving that up, it means he’s sacrificing his bonus. Even if he wins, he won’t make much money.

Richard put down the newspaper. "Besides Richard Hall, who else is challenging me?"

“There’s Anthony Tarver, Glen Johnson, David Telesco, Dariusz Michalczewski, and so on. Seven of the top thirty-ranked light heavyweight boxers have issued challenges to you."

“Fine, accept them all!”

Richard smiled.

"What?"

Bob Ruit was stunned.

"Tell them to give up the PPV revenue share, and I’ll agree to fight them—all of them!"

"Richard, are you serious?"

"Yes, I’m someone who values a sense of ritual. Simply moving up to heavyweight wouldn’t feel right. After I finish filming the movie in August, I don’t have any plans for the rest of the year, so let’s schedule them all, aiming for one fight a week.

Talk to them first, and then we’ll do a big promotion. I want to clean up the light heavyweight division and make sure they all submit."

Richard said, clenching his fist.

"This schedule is too intense; it’s not in your best interest. If you lose—"

Bob said worriedly.

"Bob, trust me, I can handle it!"

Richard smiled.

"Alright, this is a big deal. I’ll need to gather all departments for a meeting to discuss it with everyone."

"Sure!"

After sending Bob off, Richard took a deep breath and continued training. Since he had made such bold statements, he had to follow through in style. If he got humiliated, it would be really embarrassing.

So he knew he needed to focus on his training.

——

(End of this chapter)