Domination in America, Starting from being a Boxing Champion

"I'm the One" was released in its fourth week, T.I. released the single "Dead and Gone," which was endorsed by Kanye, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and other rappers.

In its first week, it was downloaded 168,000 times, ranking third on the Billboard rap chart, pushing Link's "I'm the One" out of the top three to the eighth spot, while singles by 50 Cent, Drake, and others re-entered the top five.

Just as the East Coast rap gang was popping champagne in the studio, the Associated Press reported a piece of news from Serbia in Eastern Europe.

The 25th Summer Universiade was held in Serbia in mid-May.

Link Baker, a student from New York University, represented his school in eight swimming events at this Universiade, including the men's 100/200-meter freestyle, 100-meter/200-meter breaststroke, 200-meter/400-meter individual medley, 4x200-meter freestyle relay, and 4x100-meter medley relay.

After seven days of competition, Link won eight events, securing eight gold medals for himself and breaking three world records, two of which had been set by the famous swimmer Phelps during the 08 Olympics.

Once the news reached the United States, it caused quite a sensation.

"The New York Times," "The Los Angeles Times," "The Washington Post," and other major newspapers all relayed the news from the Associated Press, while CBS, ABC, NBC, and FOX followed suit with their TV coverage.

Due to the small scale of the World University Games and the lower levels of competitor skills, the games were not particularly spectator-friendly, and the public paid little attention to the news.

During the competition, mainstream US media virtually had no reporters on the scene to cover it.

It was not until the Associated Press reported that NYU student Link Baker had won eight gold medals and broken three world records that mainstream media began to take serious notice.

First, Link Baker is a big celebrity: world champion Boxer, Olympic Boxing champion, pop singer, and a controversial figure.

Second, at the Universiade, Link alone won six individual and two team gold medals, breaking three world records and even surpassing Phelps in speed.

This achievement was too dazzling and newsworthy.

Celebrity + sensation equals major news.

The US media rushed to report and heavily publicized the news of Link's eight gold medals at the Universiade.

HBO spent 2.3 million US dollars to buy exclusive broadcasting rights from the hosts in Serbia, primarily covering the eight events Link participated in, and officially broadcast them on May 20 at 6 PM.

According to Nielsen, this broadcast attracted between 18 million to 25 million viewers, numbers not inferior to last year's Olympics.

The American public, through their TV screens, saw Link wearing the same type of sharkskin swimsuit as Phelps, swiftly swimming through each race and leaving the other university athletes far behind.

In two team events, Link continued to create miracles, leading three less skilled teammates into the finals and securing a gold medal for them.

"Oh! He's incredible, Link in the water is just like... a male mermaid."

In a Los Angeles villa, Katy Perry exclaimed while watching Link on TV.

"Move over Katy, can you not stand in front of the screen?"

Blake Lively shouted.

Katy Perry shrugged her shoulders, turned around, and jokingly asked, "What do you guys think it's like to sleep with a 'male mermaid'?"

Lively covered her face, unwilling to answer her question, "Katy, Link is Taylor's boyfriend, and Taylor is our friend."

"You mean I should call Taylor and ask her how it feels? That seems like a great idea."

Katy Perry mused.

Lively was stunned and quickly clarified, "I meant that a friend's boyfriend is off-limits, not that you should ask Taylor that question."

"Alright, I was just joking."

Katy Perry laughed heartily, continuing to watch Link on the TV.

Lively shook her head, about to invite everyone back to their tarot card game when she noticed Christine and Emma were also transfixed by the TV, obviously attracted to Link's physique.

——

"Damn, he's faster than last time."

In Baltimore, at a swimming club, Phelps watched the swimming race on TV and remarked.

"How can Link, a boxer, swim so fast?"

Coach Bob Bowman exclaimed in amazement.

"His ancestors were fishermen, naturally good swimmers,"

Phelps said enviously.

"That's impossible. Even the most skilled need long-term training to break through their physical limits and achieve greater speed."

Bob Bowman watched the TV for a while, "His swimming skills are average, but what's remarkable is his physique, his strength, speed, and extremely high physical coordination."

Phelps looked at his coach, "So, you mean if he takes professional training, he could be even faster?"
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Bowman thought for a moment and nodded gravely.

"Damn it! How can this bastard be faster than me, no way, I absolutely can't lose to him."

Phelps cursed as he put on his goggles and dived into the pool.

Coach Bowman nodded, remembering how Phelps had won eight gold medals at the '08 Olympics, becoming a sports star and slackening in training. In February of that year, his marijuana use had caused a major media furore.

With a strong competitor like Link, Phelps would take his training more seriously.

——

After the broadcast of the Universiade, Link became a sensation in America, with his popularity surpassing that from his days as a world boxing champion, as the media discussed his swimming techniques.

Previously, it was only rumored that he swam faster than Phelps, even exchanging gold medals with him, but without precise data, many were skeptical.