Chapter 26: A Serious Beginning

Joe's return to the boxing gym hadn't been easy at first. Everything had returned to its former glory, but he had changed. Dark memories of the past echoed in his every move. But with every punch, with every workout, he returned to the world of boxing with a better understanding of how deep the pain inside him was. Boxing was not just a physical battle, it was a spiritual battle, and Joe was determined to win this battle.

When he first entered the gym, several of his old friends immediately surrounded him. They all looked at him with astonishment. "Joe, I can't believe you're back. Are you ready to fight?" one of his trainers asked.

Joe took a deep breath and nodded, "I'm ready. But this time, I don't just have to be ready for boxing, I have to be ready for everything."

At that moment, a plan formed in Joe's mind. Returning to the boxing ring symbolized not only his past victories, but also a victory over his enemies. Everything was bigger and harder now, but he was ready to overcome every challenge.

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Joe's training sessions were getting tougher and longer. He had learned his weak points from his previous fights, and now every move was sharper, every move was more effective. But everything went beyond physical strength. Joe had to overcome his opponents not only physically, but also mentally. For him, the ring was not just a fighting area; it was also a place where he confronted his past and fought the darkness within him.

One day, one of his old opponents, Dmitri, came to the gym. Dmitri was one of Joe's toughest opponents in the past. This time, he was there to see Joe return to the ring. "Joe," Dmitri said, smiling. "You're really coming back, huh? Do you have the same strength as before? Or are you still struggling with the pain of what you lost?"

Joe took a deep breath and said, "Boxing is not just about strength, Dmitri. I'm not accepting to lose this time. That's why I'm coming back."

Dmitri could feel that Joe had changed. This wasn't the old Joe. He was no longer just a fighter, he was a man, fighting a powerful battle against his past and the dark world. "Then," said Dmitri, "I look forward to challenging you. But remember, boxing is not just about punches."

Joe smiled and nodded. "I already know that, Dmitri. I am now ready for a battle of both body and mind."

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