Tomorrow's hope

Joe's amateur tournament win catapulted him out of the mean streets of Boston and into the boxing world. After the tournament, everyone in the neighbourhood was talking about him. People who came to the gym congratulated Joe and said that he would be a great champion in the future. However, the praise put a heavy burden on Joe's shoulders.

A week later, Gus gave Joe some important news. "I've got an offer for you," he said. "A big agent in Boston has been watching you. He might be able to get you a sponsor to move up to the majors. But this is serious, Joe. You need to think about the risks and the opportunities."

Joe met Frank Carver, the agent, in Gus's office. Frank was an imposing man, dressed in an expensive suit. "Listen, Joe," Frank said. "I see great potential in you, but it's not just about what you can win in the ring, it's about strategy on the outside. I want to see you in the professional arena, but that means you're going to have to work harder, make bigger sacrifices."

Joe was excited by this offer, but scared at the same time. He was only 17 years old. It was not easy to finish high school, support his family, and continue his boxing career. Gus freed Joe to make his decision. "This is your life, Joe," he said. "But if you go down this road, there's no turning back."

That night, as Joe sat in his small room, he picked up an old photograph of his mother. Her smiling face always gave him peace. He thought to himself:"If I don't take this opportunity, I'll think about it for the rest of my life. But if I take it, I can do something that will make everyone proud of me."

Joe accepted Frank's offer. Gus set up a more rigorous training programme for Joe. Running in the mornings, weight training in the afternoon, technique and strategy classes in the evenings... This new regime began to challenge Joe mentally as well as physically.

Frank organised Joe's first professional fight. His opponent was Carlos "Cobra" Martinez, an experienced 20-year-old boxer. Carlos was strong and fast. He had fought four times in the professional arena and won three of them. Joe's first test would not be easy.

When the day of the fight arrived, Joe was met with an atmosphere very different from any ring he had ever been in. There were thousands of spectators in the arena. The lights were brighter, the applause louder. Gus stood calmly in Joe's corner. "Remember," he said. "This is just another fight. He may have experience, but you have faith. Let go of fear and use your wits."

In the first round, Carlos had the upper hand. He was moving faster, easily penetrating Joe's defences. Joe felt that his confidence in amateur fights was useless here. The professional world was much more ruthless.

But what Gus had taught him was in Joe's mind. In the second round, he began to watch Carlos' movements carefully. trying to find his openings. He noticed a momentary lapse in Carlos' guard with every combination.By the third round, Joe's plan was ready.

When Carlos dropped his guard and threw a hook, Joe quickly stepped to his left and hit his opponent on the jaw with the right jab. The force of the blow staggered Carlos, but he didn't go down. As the crowd roared, Joe landed another combination. Carlos collapsed.

Joe's heart was pounding as the referee counted. "8... 9... 10!" The referee finished the fight and Joe's hand went up. He had his first professional victory.

After the match, Joe's life changed rapidly. He was a professional now, and it affected his life in every way. Offers for bigger fights started coming in, but they also meant greater responsibilities. Joe's success was reflected in his family. With the money Joe earned, his father was able to leave the construction business and start saving for Emily's education.

However, the world of professional boxing was not just a physical challenge. Some of Frank's offers began to bother Joe. Fights were being offered that pushed some moral boundaries in order to make money faster. Joe consulted Gus about this.

Gus said to Joe: "Victory is not always won with fists. Sometimes you have to give up throwing punches to choose the right one. Whatever you do, don't compromise your own principles."

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