NOVEL WEB Chapter 370: A Coach Turned Rival
The press conference was in full swing, with the hum of excitement buzzing around the room.
Reporters and fans eagerly raised their hands, vying for the chance to ask the fighters their burning questions.
One reporter was called on, addressing Donald Whittier. "I have a question for you, Donald."
Whittier leaned forward slightly, nodding. "Sure, mate, go on."
The reporter adjusted their microphone. "Damon was part of Team Whittier during The Supreme Fighter show, and you coached him. Considering how much he's improved since then, do you think you can beat him now?"
Donald smiled warmly, the same relaxed demeanor that had endeared him to fans for years. He gave a small chuckle before answering in his distinct, affable tone.
"Ah, good question. Look, Damon's a great fighter, yeah? I had the privilege of coaching him, seeing firsthand what he brings to the table. And he's come leaps and bounds since then, no doubt about it. He's dangerous, technical, got a lot of tricks up his sleeve."
He paused for a moment, his smile growing wider. "But, y'know, I've been around the block a few times. I've fought the best in the world. Improvements or not, I've got a few tricks of my own. So, do I think I can beat him?"
Whittier leaned back in his chair, his eyes glinting with confidence. "Yeah, I do. And if you ask Damon, he'll tell you he thinks he can beat me too. That's the beauty of this sport, it's why we fight. No hard feelings, just two blokes stepping into the cage to see who's better on the night."
The room erupted into a mix of cheers and laughter at Whittier's candid response.
His charisma was undeniable, and his words carried the weight of experience and respect.
Damon, sitting to Whittier's left, gave a small nod, a faint smile playing on his lips. The respect between the two fighters was evident, but so was the underlying tension.
A few more questions were thrown out, each adding fuel to the already electric atmosphere in the room.
The fighters fielded them with varying levels of detail until the next question landed squarely on Damon.
"Damon, how do you plan on taking on someone like Donald Whittier?" Stay updated through empire
Damon leaned into his mic, his tone calm and confident. "I mean, a lot of things come into question. On the ground, I believe I have a large advantage. While on the feet, I still believe I hold the edge. But like Donald said earlier, it's just two guys fighting to see who's better. And I plan on showing that I am."
A smattering of applause followed his measured response.
The next question came quickly, this time addressing both fighters. "Another question, there's a lot of buzz about the new Global National Tournament starting next year. The qualification phase has already begun. I think I speak for everyone when I ask, what are your thoughts on it, and do you have plans to participate? This is for both of you, Damon and Donald."
Damon scratched his face for a moment, collecting his thoughts. "Yeah, I mean, like everyone else, I think it's a great thing. It's good for the sport, and it'll showcase a lot of talent on a global stage. And personally, I'd love to have the chance to participate in it."
The reporter pressed on, directing the next part specifically to Damon. "We know you're Irish, but there have been rumors that you're also Asian. So, do you have a country in mind for representation?"
Damon gave a small nod, his tone light but firm. "Yeah, I am part Japanese. But, not to speak badly about Japan or anything, I'm much closer to Ireland. My mother's from there, and it's where I feel most connected. So I think I'll go on to represent Ireland."
A ripple of approval swept through the crowd, with a few claps and nods of understanding.
The press conference continued without any interruptions or dramatic moments.
Questions were thrown at both Damon and Donald, and their responses were composed and respectful.
But among the fans, an odd sentiment lingered.
While both fighters had plenty to say about their strategies and the respect they had for one another, the lack of tension left many underwhelmed.
It was too peaceful. Too polite.
Fans didn't want politeness, they wanted sparks.
Damon, in particular, drew skepticism. His answers were straightforward and to the point, but his delivery lacked the bite that fans had come to expect from fighters, especially one with Irish roots.
He avoided trash talk entirely, not because he held back, but because he simply wasn't good at it. Even when pressed, his words were careful, more technical than theatrical.
And that left fans wanting more.
While the conference was professional, the absence of rivalry, real or manufactured, left the audience craving the kind of animosity that turned fights into spectacles.
For now, all they had was respect between two fighters.
It wasn't enough.
The media quickly picked up on the calm and respectful tone of the press conference, turning Damon Cross's inability to trash talk into a humorous topic of discussion.
While the posts weren't outright malicious, they leaned more toward playful jabs and jokes, poking fun at his respectful demeanor.
.
.
.
.
@MMAFanatic22
"Watching Damon try to trash talk is like watching a fish try to climb a tree. Just stick to fighting, man. 😂"
@FightNightJunkie
"Oh no, guys, the Japanese gene took over. The guy's respectful now! Where's the Irish fire?!"
Under the post the OP attached a video of Damon going back and forth with the Walker Brothers on the Show.
@CasualMMAWatch
"Damon Cross trying to trash talk is like your teacher trying to swear for the first time. Awkward but kind of endearing."
@IrishFightClub
"We wanted Colin NcGyver 2.0, and instead, we got Mr. Nice Guy. Damon, please give us SOMETHING spicy, we're begging you."
The posts didn't hold much weight, considering Damon had never even tried trash talking, but they reflected a growing sentiment among fans, Damon's fighting skills might be world-class, but his mic work? Not so much.
And for many, that was just another reason to latch onto the idea of rooting against him, even if it was all in good fun.