In the world of billiards, where technique, strategy and composure are the keys to victory, it is rare to see a match as dramatic as a high-level boxing match. But that is exactly what happened when American legend Earl “The Pearl” Strickland faced off against Filipino wizard Efren “Bata” Reyes – a match that left the stadium in a frenzy and pundits in disbelief.
The action unfolded at breakneck speed, and the “crazy punch” that Reyes threw – figuratively, of course – left Strickland not only defeated but also stunned, angry and completely defeated by an inexplicable style of play.
Earl Strickland is renowned not only for his talent but also for his fiery personality, pride and his willingness to speak his mind. With his aggressive, aggressive style of play and his absolute confidence in his own abilities, he is an irreplaceable icon of American billiards.
And when he knew he would face Efren Reyes, who had made many experts leave the table with regret, Strickland was not worried at all. On the contrary, he openly declared that he would “overwhelm Reyes from the first punches”.
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But what he did not expect was that Reyes not only possessed top-notch technique, but also possessed a terrifying ability to “read” his opponent – something that helped him deliver a “fatal punch” that completely shattered Strickland’s confidence.
Right from the first strokes, it was clear that two different schools of thought were clashing. While Strickland tried to strike quickly, wanting to pressure Reyes with risky finishing moves, Reyes was calm like a boxer waiting for the right moment to counterattack.
And then, the unthinkable happened – a perfect defense from Reyes that sent the white ball to the corner of the table, from which he performed an incredible “massé”, sending the object ball spinning through three balls in its path, hitting the table and falling precisely into the middle pocket – a shot that was dubbed the “Crazy Punch” by the experts.
Strickland stood still. The crowd went crazy. The commentators couldn’t keep up with their exclamations. It wasn’t just a beautiful shot – it was a statement, a psychological blow, a preemptive strike that completely disoriented Strickland. All the plans he had prepared before the match seemed to collapse after just one shot.
From that moment on, Reyes became a wizard on the billiards table. He controlled the balls as if they had souls, moving with astonishing precision.
Every time he bent down to hit, the whole room held its breath, waiting for the next miracle. And he did not disappoint. A bank shot across the table through three balls, a magical jump to avoid a block ball, a combo that sent two balls to opposite holes at the same time – all of it was like an art performance rather than a simple match.
As for Strickland? After that “crazy” shot, he gradually lost his composure. Tactical errors began to appear. He missed, misplayed, and even argued with the referee at one point because he thought Reyes had committed a foul – but the slow-motion camera proved that Reyes played completely legally, even so delicately that it was impossible to find fault.
Strickland’s face changed from confidence to confusion, then anger, and finally disappointment. He could not understand how someone as small and calm as Reyes could throw “knock-outs” that were no different from a top boxer.
After the match ended with an overwhelming victory for Reyes, Strickland did not shake hands with his opponent immediately. He walked off the table with a frown on his face, clearly unable to accept the truth.
At the press conference afterwards, he was forced to admit: “I have never had anyone make me feel so helpless on the table. Reyes is a monster.” It was a rare admission from a man as proud as Strickland – but also evidence that Reyes had created a real earthquake.
For Reyes, this victory was more than just another victory in his great career. It was proof that experience, composure and intelligence can defeat anyone, no matter how strong and confident. Reyes did not need to say much, he let his opponent speak. And that “crazy punch” – the shot that extinguished the fire of a proud warrior like Strickland – will forever be remembered as one of the greatest moments in the world of billiards.
In the end, fans will forever remember this fight as a testament to the immortality of Reyes – a true artist, who turns strokes into magic, and the only one who can make a “volcano” like Strickland… fall silently.
