227: Chapter 224 Is Muay Thai really that effective in combat?

"Zhou, is this the newcomer you introduced?"

As everyone gathered around, a slightly plump middle-aged white man walked up to Zhou Guoli. A life of wealth had smoothed his once sharp features, but his eyes remained keen.

"Durant, what brings a big boss like you here today?"

Looking at the white man, Zhou Guoli was clearly surprised.

"This is a very important business of mine. As the boss, shouldn't I be here?" Durant shook his head and pointed at the stage, smiling. "You and Hank are old acquaintances, after all.

You should know that Hank is a retired Ranger. His fighting ability is beyond doubt. Plus, he trained at our club for a while a few years ago and participated in professional matches. Although he only had twenty fights with twelve wins, all twelve of those wins were by KO.

Putting him against Hank... it's like you're murdering this poor Asian lad."

Durant was very puzzled. Logically, since Zhou and the young man on stage were of the same ethnicity and came together, shouldn't they be friends rather than enemies?

Hearing this, Zhou Guoli shrugged and smiled. "Durant, want to make a bet?"

"Oh? Betting that Hank will KO this kid?"

"Of course not." Zhou Guoli shook his head, reached into his pocket, and soon a stack of US dollars appeared in his hand.

"Here is fifty thousand dollars. I'm betting on my companion to win."

Hearing this, Durant, the white boss, was stunned.

He pondered for a moment, then frowned after a while. "Zhou, are you that confident in your companion? Does he have something special about him?"

"NO! NO! NO! You have to agree to the bet first before I can tell you," Zhou Guoli shook his head repeatedly.

"Take it! I'm betting on Hank."

Durant casually wrote the figure of fifty thousand dollars on a checkbook and handed it over.

"Now, my friend, I think you should tell me exactly why."

"Fine!"

Zhou Guoli flicked the check, making a crisp sound, and nodded with satisfaction. "Durant, I can only say that I've fought him before, and you can see the result for yourself."

As he spoke, Zhou Guoli gestured slightly toward his still-bandaged hand.

Uh...

Durant was truly surprised now. He looked at Li Changsheng on the stage, who didn't seem overly muscular...

Of course, compared to an average person, Li Changsheng's physique was definitely considered fit.

But to someone like Durant, who was used to seeing chemically-enhanced supermen, those born with thick bones, or those with bulging muscles, he really didn't think this Li's physique was that robust.

It could even be described as scrawny.

"Incredible. Zhou, if you aren't lying, then I should be in for a spectacular match," Durant said noncommittally.

Saying this was already him thinking highly of Li; in his heart, he was mostly waiting to take back his check and the fifty thousand dollars in cash.

As a combat club, there was a professional referee here.

As the referee finished explaining the rules, the two sides began their confrontation.

The rules were very simple. Since it wasn't a formal Boxing match, everything was allowed except for attacking vital points.

Neither side wore any protective gear; they just put on Boxing gloves and began.

After facing off for about ten seconds, Hank took a deep breath, then lunged forward, feinted a step, and threw a punch while stepping to the side.

At the very moment the punch was thrown, Li Changsheng's body seemed to suddenly drop lower. He dodged it effortlessly, then raised his leg slightly like a recurve bow. In the next instant, like a wood-cutting cleaver at a thirty-five-degree angle, he suddenly chopped toward Hank's calf.

Li Changsheng hadn't specifically trained in leg techniques, but Xingyi and Baji Quan both had corresponding footwork and leg training.

This move was called the Chopping Kick. Leg techniques included the whip, sweep, split, stomp, spring, chop, and so on, and the Chopping Kick was considered the most powerful.

Like a mountain-splitting battle-axe, it was heavy and powerful. Muay Thai is especially skilled in Chopping Kicks; some experts can even kick through steel pipes.

However, most Muay Thai Chopping Kicks are relatively slow with a long wind-up; because the speed isn't fast, enemies can often react and dodge quickly.

But Li Changsheng's Chopping Kick was as if it had already passed the charging stage the moment it was launched; the strike was a complete explosion of power.

Bang!

With a muffled thud, Hank was indeed unable to dodge in time. His face twisted in pain, yet he managed to endure it without a word.

Seeing this, Li Changsheng was slightly surprised.

"This guy's durability is pretty good!"

Although he hadn't used his full strength—only about a fifth of his power—an ordinary person's leg would likely have broken.

"Kid, you certainly have the capital to be arrogant. You're very strong!"

Hank forced a smile and shifted his weight, trying his best to look unharmed.

But his left leg, which had been hit, was already slightly bent, and his calf was trembling faintly.

The fact that he could hold on was entirely thanks to his daily Muay Thai training.

Muay Thai often involves striking heavy objects to train the strength of one's key bones.

Looking at all the fighting techniques globally, Muay Thai's training intensity is among the best. In the early years, Muay Thai involved kicking trees and hard objects, and later improved to kicking sandbags, but these training methods are extremely taxing on bodily functions.

Over time, internal injuries accumulate, but because of this, Muay Thai experts are indeed very strong in terms of durability.

Noisy discussions had already broken out around them; clearly, Hank's performance just now had made them somewhat dissatisfied.

This was how it was here; regardless of whether you were a coach or a celebrity, if you performed poorly in the ring, there would be boos.

Hank gritted his teeth, bounced on his feet to alleviate the pain for a moment, and then stepped forward again.

With his arms slightly bent, he advanced rapidly in a Muay Thai offensive stance.

He decided to give his opponent a fierce blow. US Army Combatives mostly focus on Grappling and one-hit kills, but in terms of lethality, Muay Thai was the highest among the fighting styles he knew.

He charged forward, yet the young man before him didn't react at all. Seeing this, Hank was overjoyed.

Seeing that the distance was right and it would be too late for the opponent to react, he no longer hesitated. He leapt into the air, his body stretching like a recurve bow in mid-air, and his elbow rose as well.

He clearly intended to smash his elbow down hard onto Li Changsheng's shoulders.

Muay Thai is also known as the "Art of Eight Limbs," as its two fists, two elbows, two knees, and two legs can all be used for offense.

The moment Hank took flight, his knees also rose, making the move both offensive and defensive. His knees could protect the soft ribs of his waist and abdomen while also being able to attack, and his elbows were exceptionally fierce.

As the saying goes, "Better to take ten punches than one elbow."

The gasps from the audience at this moment were a testament to that; everyone knew that if this move landed solidly, the young man on stage would likely be sent straight to the hospital.

"Zhou, don't worry, Hank has a sense of proportion and won't use his full strength. However, your little brother here will definitely have to stay in the hospital for a while."

Durant chuckled as he saw this, while Zhou Guoli, standing beside him, grinned.

Bang!

A muffled thud followed on the stage, and then came the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground. Bang, bang!

Two consecutive sounds—this was the heavy object bouncing once on the highly elastic mat of the ring.

Silence—