Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion-Chapter 816 - 590: Showing Off and The Martian_2
In September and October, Lionsgate Films is releasing several movies, including "Wickedness by Nature," "Lucy," "American Sniper," "Into the Wild," and "Split." During this period, the North American film market is somewhat colder than the summer blockbuster season, with less competition, and the films released tend to cater to niche genres such as horror, science fiction, and art films.
The first film released in the fall by Lionsgate Films is "Wickedness by Nature," directed by Paul Anderson of "The Master," starring Joaquin Phoenix, Josh Brolin, Reese Witherspoon, Benicio, Owen Wilson, and other movie stars.
In August, representing Lionsgate Films, the film participated in the Venice International Film Festival in Italy and was nominated in the main competition unit but unfortunately did not win any awards.
In early September, the movie had limited screenings in five theaters across the United States, earning a first-week box office of US$452 million, with an average box office per theater of about US$11,000, which is above average.
The distribution department will subsequently increase the number of theaters slowly based on the changes in box office, the main focus being to utilize word-of-mouth effects to save on promotional funds and prevent losses.
The second film released is the science fiction movie "Lucy," a French film directed by Luc Besson of "Léon: The Professional," starring Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Guillaume Canet, and others.
Paris Rose Films is one of the producers, with Lionsgate Films handling the distribution in the North American region.
The film premiered in mid-September and earned US$43.89 million from 3173 theaters over three days, winning the weekend box office. It amassed over US$100 million in North America in 19 days and became the eighth film distributed by Lionsgate Films this year to break the US$100 million mark at the North American box office.
In overseas territories, the film had already been released in various countries in Europe and Asia in June and July, with current accumulated international box office earnings reaching US$330 million.
Total box office earnings amount to US$430 million.
The production cost of the film was US$40 million.
The profit ratio exceeded 10:1, allowing Paris Rose Films, one of the producers, to make a sizable profit from this film, while Lionsgate Films, as the North American distributor, also earned tens of millions in shares.
One week after the release of "Lucy," Link's family vacation ends, they return to Los Angeles; Taylor and Selena are attending the MTV Video Music Awards, Ivanka is busy with company matters, and Link continues to stay home with the kids and goes to the boxing gym for training.
In November, there will be a boxing match, WBA-WBC World Boxing Champion Link versus IBF-WBO World Boxing Champion Vladimir Klitschko, which is also being referred to by the media as the ultimate fight in the heavyweight class, Link's last battle in conquering the heavyweight category.
Little Klitschko is also considered to be the final opponent and barrier to Link's rule over the heavyweight class, with "Boxing Ring" magazine also deeming Little Klitschko as the last gatekeeper in the heavyweight boxing ring. If Little Klitschko fails, Link will be unstoppable in boxing.
Many media also believe that it is not easy for Link to win this fight because he fought with Big Klitschko last year. Big Klitschko understands his boxing characteristics and will discuss with Little Klitschko afterward how to break his offense and defense.
Little Klitschko has a significant advantage in fighting him.
Additionally, currently, no one in boxing has managed to defeat both Klitschko Brothers simultaneously; for example, in the year 2000, 'Rapid Fire' Chris Byrd defeated Big Klitschko in April, but in October, Little Klitschko defeated Chris Byrd to take revenge.
"Boxing Ring" magazine believes that Link needs to be more cautious and devise a more perfect match strategy to have a chance to defeat Little Klitschko and dominate the heavyweight boxing ring.
"Link, what's your tactic, do you want me to help you analyze it?"
In the boxing gym, Hoyle asked.
"No need, I have enough confidence in my tactics."
"You are too arrogant, I think you will lose,"
Hoyle said, with a smirk.
"Just you wait and see."
Link ignored him and continued sparring with Mario.
"It's right for Link not to tell you the strategy; you're his defeated subordinate, telling you would be useless."
Morales grinned with his big white teeth.
Hoyle glared at him, "You're impressive! You're great, but if you're so great, why did someone snatch the golden belt from you?"
"It's normal, I'm not Link, I can't win every time or always hold on to the golden belt."
With indifference, Morales shrugged his shoulders. He participated in a WBO Welterweight title defense match in May, unfortunately lost to former Super Middleweight Champion Jean Pascal, and lost the World Boxing Champion title.
He was prepared for this, so he wasn't too disappointed.
"Humph, look at how lazy you are. Before you got the golden belt, you trained with Link every day. After you got it, you slacked off, didn't train seriously, ate and drank recklessly. Now look at Link, no matter how many golden belts he wins or how much money he earns, he still keeps his original intentions and continues to train. If you were half as diligent as Link, your golden belt wouldn't have been taken away."
Hoyle criticized.
"It's not about laziness; it's mainly that my ability is limited. I can't dominate the WBO golden belt forever. Even if I had beaten Jean Pascal this time, I still couldn't surpass Andre Ward, Chad Dawson, and a few others,"
Morales said.
After Morales was defeated by Pascal, in August, Pascal competed against Andre Ward. Andre Ward won, becoming the holder of the Super Welterweight golden belts from all four organizations.
Andre Ward had been defeated twice by Link, which caused even more people to idolize Link. Wherever he was, no other boxer, no matter how strong, could stand out.
"I now realize what you need to learn from Link isn't just techniques, but more importantly the mentality, determination, and ambition. Before Link entered the professional boxing ring, he dared to provoke all his opponents globally in front of the media, no matter their rank or strength, he is brave to challenge and fears nothing, while you...."
Hoyle shook his head, reluctant to continue.
Morales curled his lips, seeing Mario getting beaten up and breathless; he put on the boxing gloves and went onto the ring to replace Mario and spar with Link.
"Link, hit him hard. Morales is getting cocky now; you have to punch his face with an iron fist and make him face the reality,"
Hoyle shouted, waving his fists.
Bang Bang Bang!
Link didn't care what Hoyle was fussing about; once he saw Morales had steadied himself, he swung his fists and continued training.
Now his punches were heavier and more lethal than before; to achieve the best training impact, Morales and a few sparring partners had to wear spongy protective gear to prevent injuries from him.
It's just that Morales and Mario are Super Middleweight, and different aspects of their qualities are too far apart from Heavyweight boxers.
To find a way to defeat the smaller Klitschko, he also invites Chris Byrd, Hashim Rahman, Ramon Brewster, among others, for sparring.
All these people had, at one time, fought the Klitschko brothers or one of them.
The training effect is better with them.
