A/N: Hey, guys. The first chapter of this fanfic was a prologue, so now this is where it really starts! Prepare yourself!

Chapter 2: First win: VS Glass Joe

Doc Louis took Little Mac to a well-equipped gym with a jump rope, dumbbells to lift, flat benches and punching bags. ''OK, kid. If you want to become a professional, you will need a lot of training, otherwise you won't be able to make it.'' he said.

''It's not a problem. I have spent the morning training in the gym for some time, so I already know what it's like.'' said Mac.

(''Eye Of The Tiger- Survivor'')

The training started. The young boxer spent hours punching punching bags, quickly jumping the rope and lifting dumbbells to strengthen himself, and also did a training match with Doc, winning.(1) When he returned to punching the bags, after a minute of consecutive punches, his fist was surrounded by a blue star-shaped aura, then he jumped and struck with an uppercut so powerful that the bag came off and fell to the ground.

Doc was so shocked that he almost let go of his chocolate bar. ''I can't believe it! You learned the Star Punch!'' he shouted.

''The Star Punch?'' Mac asked, a little confused. He didn't know how he had used it.

It was my special technique when I was still a boxer about twenty years ago. I used it in the training match against you, but now you have used it too.'' explained the coach. ''You probably used it without knowing it.''

''I feel so pumped that I could win against the other Minor Circuit boxers!'' exclaimed Little Mac, excited to have learned his new special move.

Doc laughed. ''Good. However, the Star Punch takes time to use it. It's very powerful, but if it doesn't hit, you'll have to wait a while before using it again, so don't waste it and only use it when you see your opponent's guard is lowered.'' he said.

Shortly thereafter, the two did another exercise: Mac, dressed in a pink hooded sweatshirt and trousers, ran through the streets of New York while following his coach, who was instead on a bike, so as to improve his speed.

''Keep it up, Mac! Keep running!'' cried out Doc, and the boy quickened his pace until they decided to stop after a couple of minutes. ''You did a good job, kid. I'd say you're ready.''

(''Eye Of The Tiger- Survivor-s'')

Doc returned to the WVBA headquarters and showed Mac the scoreboard. ''Remember, Mac. On this board you will see the challengers you will face. If you win, you can move on to the next challenger, and don't worry if you lose, you can challenge who defeated you in a rematch. In the WVBA, there are three ranks: the Minor Circuit, where you are now, the Major Circuit and the World Circuit. The last challenger of each rank is the champion who holds the title, and if you defeat it, you will be promoted and can move on to the next rank, which is in a different place in the United States. The headquarters of the Minor Circuit is here in New York. Your first opponent is Glass Joe, and it should be a breeze for you.'' he said.

(''La Marsellaise- French National Anthem'')

In the ring, Mac saw his opponent, Glass Joe. He was marginally heavier and taller than him, wore white shorts with a red stripe, red gloves and boots, he was shirtless and had red hair. ''So, Glass Joe, we finally meet. Good luck.'' he said.

''Thanks, Little Mac. You too.'' Glass Joe replied.

''Mac, Glass Joe should be easy for you. In 100 matches, he only won one and lost all the others. He doesn't like being hit in the chin, so hitting him in the head will do him more damage, but be respectful.'' said Doc Louis, at the edge of the ring.

''Let the match begin!'' said the referee, and the match began. Little Mac allowed Glass Joe to attack first with a right hook, but he dodged it and hit the opponent five times on the stomach and one in the face. He had just changed his fighting style, going from an aggressive style to fighting more defensively and more focused on blocking or avoiding shots and punishing opponents for missing their shots.

''Prende ça! (Take this!)'' exclaimed the French, and hit Mac with a left jab, but it didn't do much damage.

''Now I'm getting serious, Glass Joe. Soon, I will give you a taste of my most powerful techniques!'' said the American, dodging another right hook and hitting him six times, two on the stomach and four in the face, knocking him out. The referee started counting. ''1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8-''

Joe got up and continued fighting, but he was clearly at a disadvantage because of his weak jaw.

''Vive La France!'' he yelled, trying to hit with all his might, but Mac anticipated him and hit him with a powerful overhand in the stomach, making him fall back to the ground.

''1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! 7! 8! 9-'' the referee made the count again, but the French got up just in time.

There was a minute left until the end of the first round, and Mac was determined to land the final blow quickly. He dodged his left hook and used his Star Punch. The punch was so fast that time seemed to slow down, and Glass Joe was thrown into the air.

''C'est... trop... pour moi... (It's... too much... for me ...'') murmured the French, who didn't get up. His face was bruised and he had a black eye.

(''La Marsellaise- French National Anthem-s'')

Glass Joe was knocked out three times in the same round! That means Little Mac is the winner by TKO!'' shouted the referee.

''Yeah! First victory!'' cried Little Mac, full of happiness for his first win. The audience didn't react much, as it was a clash between the two weakest of the Minor Circuit.

''Well done, Mac! That match was one-sided in your favor! I think I'll eat my chocolate bar sideways!'' said Doc, making his usual chocolate joke.

Mac helped Glass Joe get up. ''Well, at least you tried. I hope you don't mind losing.'' he said.

''No problem. It's my hundredth defeat, so I'm used to it. In the WVBA, if a boxer loses 100 matches, he will receive a protective headgear. This is only the beginning of your career, Mac.'' Joe replied.

''He's right. This is only the first step, kid.'' said Doc. ''Get ready for the next challenger.''

A/N: First victory for Little Mac! Keep following this fanfic, I'm sure fans of this series will enjoy it. See you in the next chapter!

(1): Reference to Doc Louis's Punch Out!, in which Little Mac faces his coach in a match during training, indicating that this is set just before the original game.