Ye Chen once again experienced the full force of Ava's formidable hitting skills. The precision and speed of his rapid, consistent blows, delivered on the same side, were truly remarkable. Such a technique is exceedingly rare in the boxing and fighting community. Typically, fighters like Nagami utilize a combination of punches that alternate from left to right and so on. Essentially, combinations are structured around crossing punches, emphasizing fluidity and sport-specific mechanics that resonate well within the dynamics of the ring.
Ava, however, showcased a distinct tactical approach, relying on a barrage of continuous strikes targeted on one side. It is a technique that, while not exclusive to him, is seldom adopted in this manner. Many boxers shy away from maintaining pressure on one side, as doing so can compromise speed, the quality of the punches, and overall accuracy. Furthermore, it can disrupt the rhythm of an offensive strategy and throw off the fighter's center of gravity. This is the reason so few choose to employ it. Even those who occasionally do often limit themselves to two-hit combinations, like following a backhand strike to the abdomen with an uppercut.
Ava stands out as a fighter who breaks from traditional norms. His combinations are unpredictable and erratic, catching opponents off guard. Just moments ago, the two were entangled, trading gut punches in close combat. Ye Chen, despite his best efforts to defend himself, found himself struck twice in succession on his right side by Ava's unyielding fists. Then, the round bell rang, a sound signaling the end of that physical exchange.
As Ye Chen made his way back to his corner, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was greatly amiss with his right arm and ribs. The impact from Ava's second punch had coincided with the ringing of the bell, but he had felt a peculiar "pop." It wasn't a loud noise, yet it resonated through his body, distinctly audible to him in a way that others might not perceive. He was certain that a rib on his right side had succumbed to fracture from that relentless barrage.
This revelation was far from reassuring. He had never endured a serious injury like this during a match before. Previous bone fractures had only been diagnosed post-fight. "At least the referee didn't catch it..." Ye Chen thought, a mix of relief and apprehension washing over him. If not for the timing, with the referee preoccupied by the sound of the bell, the audibility of the fracture might have raised alarms. In that scenario, the field doctor would undoubtedly have been summoned, leading to an inevitable termination of the match.
While a rib fracture may not initially appear catastrophic, continuous strikes to the area could exacerbate the injury, risking the possibility of bones piercing internal organs. Such potential complications are undesirable for the referee, the organizers, or anyone involved, making the likelihood of stopping the fight almost a certainty. Thus, the only option available to him was to endure the pain and feign normalcy.
"Ye Chen, are you alright?" The concerned voice of his future father-in-law broke through his thoughts as he returned to the corner.
Ye Chen snapped back to attention, responding with a nonchalant, "Huh?"
"What's the matter? You seemed to be doing exceptionally well just now. I thought you were quite satisfied with your performance. I noticed the betting companies have adjusted the odds in your favor; the gap is nowhere near as significant as it previously was." His future father-in-law wore a bright smile that mirrored the optimism of the fans who supported Ye Chen, all cheering his name with growing enthusiasm.
Indeed, Ye Chen had performed admirably in the second round, clearly matching Ava's intensity and surpassing the expectations of many observers, demonstrating notable improvement compared to the first round's performance. "Yeah, it was great," he nodded, taking a sip of water while mulling over strategies for the upcoming third round.
Should he continue to engage in attrition-style tactics? No, he concluded. Although Ava's rapid-fire punches were draining, he still possessed sufficient stamina to deliver a powerful counterattack, even in the later rounds. But the risk loomed large; if he took too many more hits to his injured rib, he could find himself at a disadvantage, facing a potentially damaging loss.
His gaze drifted towards Ava's corner, where his team was huddled, seemingly discussing strategy while occasionally looking in his direction. A wave of anxiety surged within him: had they noticed his injury?
While no match in the ring comes close to the brutality of a battlefield, fighters are not out to harm their opponents unwillingly. However, should any fighter suspect a vulnerability, they would seldom hesitate to exploit it. Ye Chen himself was no different in this regard; he would certainly seize any opportunity to attack an opponent's weakness.
He started formulating a plan. Originally, he intended to reserve his energy until the later rounds when Ava might wear down, at which point he would capitalize on her fatigue. Despite her initial approach of finishing the fight in three rounds, he suspected she still harbored intentions of closing the match swiftly. Otherwise, she wouldn't have risked so much in her aggressive exchanges.
"I need to act. I can't afford to wait any longer," he resolved, pushing aside the cautionary instincts that urged him to play it safe.
"Ye Chen, are you hurt?" His father-in-law broke through his contemplative state with genuine concern etched on his expression.
While this was the first time he and Ye Chen shared such a close moment, his father-in-law had often observed his matches, noting the difference in Ye Chen's current demeanor compared to his previous performances. In the past, he had appeared relaxed, even enjoying himself, whereas now, there was an unmistakable tension in the air.
In a moment of clarity, Ye Chen shook off the doubt, forcing a smile onto his face. "I'm fine! Really, I'm performing well."
He withheld the details of his injury, aware that informing anyone, including his future father-in-law, while undoubtedly worrying him, could create complications should the organizers or Ava's team learn anything of the sort.