Fight like a man -- I am the one who talks about the ball.

Author: Huang Jianxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features:
—When a person, after youthful arrogance, has experienced the world, he either becomes a shrewd maneuverer or a man who fights. My friend Huang Jianxiang chose the latter. This suggests that his previous strengths will be amplified, while his flaws will linger. He aims to be his authentic self, not a compliant imitation of others.
—When a well-known sports commentator runs into the next room and loudly declares, "I just admire Zhang Liying," it proves he has both work and life, a life that keeps pace with the times. And we know that a person without life is not good at work.
—When a person who expresses himself through voice publishes a new book every four or five years, it shows he is not just a "megaphone" trying to gain recognition; he has his own independent thoughts, memories, and judgments, regardless of whether his writing pleases the masses.
Famous sports journalist Li Chengpeng: True Chinese football fans have no reason not to admire Huang Jianxiang.
A true football lover, a true football expert, a true person who knows how to comment on football, and even more importantly, a true person who dares to speak up without pretending to be weak. If you don’t expect to hear such a person comment on matches for you, who else can you expect to listen to? In the field of football TV commentary, Huang Jianxiang has indeed become indispensable. The extent to which a person is indispensable reflects their own value. Six years later, Huang Jianxiang has published another book. Even though I thought I already knew him quite well, when reading the manuscript, I discovered so many emotions and stories I had never known before, so much joy and sorrow I had never experienced. I finished reading it in one sitting, spending three hours in a row, and still felt unsatisfied.
Thank football, thank life. After finishing this book, I lost interest and inspiration in writing. As a result, the editors had to wait another two weeks just for this preface. My dilemma was not knowing what else to say and how to write this preface. One afternoon, while driving on Beijing’s Second Ring Road, the sky was clear, a gentle breeze brushed my face, and golden sunlight streamed into the car, instantly brightening my mood. In the past few months, my life had fallen apart, chaotic and disorganized. I had felt the complexities and shortcomings of human nature, while also suddenly facing countless trivial household matters. My inner world and real life were filled with painful struggles, leaving me constantly depressed, pessimistic, even somewhat weary of life. But this ray of early spring sunlight suddenly made me realize: I should thank life, thank this experience. It was because of such a life that my journey has become richer, more vibrant, and full of meaning. At this moment, I also remembered the autobiography of Diego Maradona I had read. I recalled the very long "thank you" at the beginning of the book, where Diego thanked hundreds of people, some of whom I knew and some I didn’t. After finishing his autobiography, I had mockingly laughed at his excessively long list of thanks. But at this afternoon, at this moment, I suddenly understood Maradona’s intention: To live like this is already enough—living even a few days is already enough to be truly wonderful and joyful. In this vast world, how many people get to live so freely? Of course, one must be grateful, thanking everyone connected to their life. I even understood the famous words of my country’s swimming champion Luo Xuejuan: "I want to thank everyone who hates me!" Thus, I sincerely wrote down the following thanks:
Thank all those who care about and support me. Without your love and understanding, I would not have persisted until today.
Thank all those who hate and dislike me. Without your existence, I would have lost the meaning of progress and even the interest to keep going. For you, for me—a strange person like me—it is a strange kind of motivation.
Thank everyone who knows my name: In this vast world, with so many people, why should you know my name? I truly want to thank you.
Thank my parents. You have worked hard your entire lives, and your son should have allowed you to enjoy your golden years in peace. But now, at nearly 40, I have returned to your side, making you worry and toil for me and your grandchildren’s growth.
Thank my leaders and colleagues, whether mentioned in my book or not, whether we have had personal interactions or not. You are all people I should thank.
Thank everyone mentioned in my book, including those who have criticized me and those I have criticized, those who have discussed me and those I have discussed, because you are all part of my life’s journey.
Thank all the names I have called out during my 10 years as a sports commentator, all the stadiums I have been to. You are all punctuation marks in my life.
Thank my teachers from my student days, especially my physical education teacher, my alma mater, and my classmates. It was the time spent with you that gave me the strength I have today and determined my current life path.
Thank all those who have loved me and those I have loved. Thank love. Love is the most magical thing in the world. With love, anything is possible.
Thank football. It is her charm that has given me everything I have today: honor, fame, a job, and even more.
Thank life, thank CCTV-5.
"Fighting Like a Man" was originally just the title of a football commentary I had written. Before the book was completed, I used it as a temporary title. But it soon spread among my friends, who wrote many reviews using the same title. Since everyone liked the title, I decided to use it as the book’s title and as a motto to encourage myself. In reality, only those who have truly fought understand that on the battlefield of life, one does not always need to wield swords or bare fists. "Fighting" also includes patience, restraint, tolerance, and composure. Sometimes, smiling in the face of everything is also a form of fighting. As I get older, I prefer the latter. In fact, in peacetime, what true fighting is there? A person who conquers themselves and does their best is already a winner.