Ava's straight punches were both swift and precise, showcasing his formidable skills. Despite Ye Chen's best efforts to evade his strikes, he fell victim to one of Ava's targeted blows. Nevertheless, his reliance on nimble movement alleviated a significant portion of the pressure he felt in the ring. Aware that Ava sought to create distance again, Ye Chen had no intention of granting him that opportunity. As Ava lunged forward with a punch meant to push him back, Ye Chen opted to dodge and press forward rather than retreat.
In that moment, he skillfully leaned to the left and delivered a well-placed hook aimed directly at Ava's abdomen. This decisive action not only accelerated Ye Chen's offensive pace but also unleashed the full potential of his fighting style. Regardless of whether he managed to dodge it or not, the key was to act swiftly and decisively. When Ye Chen executed a left uppercut towards him, Ava instinctively halted his own uppercut, startled by Ye Chen's sudden aggression.
Caught off guard, Ava struggled to comprehend why Ye Chen was targeting him so intensely. Did he genuinely intend to knock him out in this round? That possibility seemed far-fetched. As soon as his uppercut failed, Ava countered with a powerful backhand, the impact echoing through the arena as his glove collided with Ye Chen's muscles. This strike found its mark on Ye Chen's right shoulder, momentarily disrupting the heavy punch he had been poised to unleash.
With the rhythm of the attack interrupted, Ye Chen retaliated, using his front hand to deliver another hook to Ava's stomach. The solid impact reverberated as he once again connected. At such a close distance with such a large target, it had become nearly impossible for Ava to dodge or defend himself. Each blow had to be anticipated, as he focused on Ye Chen's looming heavy punches. The force of the hit took a toll on Ava, prompting him to immediately guard his abdomen with an arm.
In the midst of retreating and angling back to dodge, Ava seamlessly transitioned from an upright stance to a reverse stance, his left hand now poised to protect his face. With intense focus, he locked his gaze onto Ye Chen's right ribcage, triggering an instinctual reaction in him. As if on cue, Ye Chen moved his right arm to shield himself from what he anticipated would be a punishing shot. Yet, Ava's swift adjustment disrupted Ye Chen's calculations; the ferocity of his punches did not allow for unpreparedness.
His footwork shifted, enabling a rapid change of pace reminiscent of a technique he had observed from Bivol, who had previously utilized such maneuvers to elude many of Ava's strongest hits. The concept of a "line change" pertains to unexpectedly altering one's trajectory—both the body and head adapting to this new rhythm in perfect synchronization. Even if struck, this technique could absorb a considerable amount of force.
With a resounding crash, Ava's jab targeted Ye Chen but instead landed on his head. However, thanks to his timely adjustment, the power behind Ava's punch was significantly diminished. Although it still registered as a hard hit, sending a jolt through his body, Ye Chen maintained his composure. At that instant, he adeptly stepped to Ava's left side, catching him off guard.
This move appeared to astonish Ava, as he hadn't anticipated Ye Chen's lateral shift. The unexpected angle allowed Ye Chen's punch to land directly on Ava's cochlea, resulting in a momentary loss of hearing for him, leaving him disoriented. Determined not to yield, Ava quickly attempted to counterattack with a straight punch. Yet, Ye Chen pressed forward relentlessly, combining his strikes into a series of combos that left the crowd on edge.
As the intensity of the fight heightened, it became evident that Ye Chen's stamina was being tested more than Ava's, pushing him to expedite the conclusion of the bout. Instead of retreating, he received a barrage of punches yet responded with increasing aggression, his determination amplifying with each blow.
When the third round commenced, ecstatic screams and cheers erupted from the audience, creating a palpable atmosphere of excitement. "What's up with Ye Chen? Is he actually trying to settle this in the third round?" someone shouted, astonished. "He's lost it; does he think he can knock out Ava?"
The crowd was in a frenzy. "No way, this is utterly implausible! Ava can't possibly lose!" came the cries of disbelief, soon overtaken by shouts for Ava—his name ringing out as fervently as the adrenaline in the arena.
Yet, amidst this chaos, many who had once rallied behind Ye Chen began to shift their allegiance, silently riddled with anxiety over their bets. Regardless of their wish for Ye Chen's triumph, the blunt reality remained: they had wagered on Ava to win. The stakes were high; for many, losing meant forfeiting everything. It was a grim reminder of the odds prior to the match, where most believed Ava would emerge victorious.
With the allure of high-risk, high-reward betting, many spectators placed hefty sums on Ava, eagerly anticipating returns far greater than those in conventional financial investments. Recent revelations claimed that numerous celebrities had also banked substantial amounts, further illustrating the immense pressure surrounding the match.
Back in the ring, Ye Chen's intensity only escalated, channeling his rage into each strike. Ava once more managed to connect with a precise jab on Ye Chen's forehead, a move that was as powerful as it was damaging. Each connection from his heavy gloves left its mark, blood trickling from the corners of Ye Chen's eyes and down the bridge of his nose. Yet, undeterred by the pain, Ye Chen, consumed by sheer will, suddenly dropped into a squat before propelling himself upward.
This sudden movement prompted a reflexive response from Ava, who instinctively raised his arms to shield his head, anticipating a significant blow. His apprehension reflected the gravity of the situation. Ye Chen's unyielding resolve left all present—both in the arena and in the crowd—bracing for the unpredictable conclusion of this dramatic encounter.