At this moment, Ye Chen felt an unparalleled confidence wash over him; he was truly fearless. He was ready to engage in a fierce brawl, trading punches with reckless abandon. As soon as Ava was forced back into the corner by the ropes, Ye Chen unleashed his full arsenal, channeling all of his aggressive energy with a relentless barrage of punches.
However, he was no fool to engage in a reckless close-quarters fight without strategy. Ye Chen maintained a calculated distance, ensuring his strikes remained effective from mid to long range. His promise of exerting no restraint wasn't simply about throwing wild punches; rather, he was focused on controlled bursts of power. Each strike aimed to carry weight and significance, as if he wished to incapacitate Ava with a single blow.
But Ye Chen was aware of the challenge ahead; while his attacks were fierce, the impact was attenuated. Ava, though pressed and disadvantaged, was far from subdued. He stayed alert, using evasive maneuvers and solid defense, actively seeking opportunities to counterattack.
Then, unexpectedly, as Ava skillfully sidestepped a vicious backhand straight punch, he utilized the momentum to catch Ye Chen's glove. This crafty move slowed down Ye Chen's fist, buying Ava precious seconds. Though it was hardly a foul, it was a cunning tactic that illustrated the clever tactics employed by seasoned fighters—the kind of moves every boxer inevitably employs at some point.
With a sudden burst of resolve, Ava pushed off Ye Chen's extended hand and retaliated with a well-placed punch aimed directly at Ye Chen's brow. It connected, pushing Ye Chen back slightly. Ava attempted to seize this moment to step back and regroup, but Ye Chen was relentless. He pressed forward, maneuvering in with precision.
Ava found himself nearly thrown out but was simultaneously caught by a leaping punch from Ye Chen, revealing that the opening on Ye Chen's brow was widening as blood flowed freely. Ye Chen, undeterred by the pain, unleashed a torrent of powerful blows, forcing Ava back against the ropes once again.
During this exchange, Ye Chen's fists met with Ava several more times. The toll of the battle was apparent; Ava's previously injured ear was subjected to another severe impact, bleeding profusely and raising concerns from a nearby referee who approached multiple times to assess whether Ava could safely continue. There was a palpable worry that the referee might halt the match given the escalating severity of injuries sustained by both fighters.
Yet, amidst their brutal struggle, the coach seemed to take a backseat—not willing to stop the action. Ava endured seven or eight consecutive hits, bearing the brunt of blows that occasionally landed on his arms but still feeling the weight of the assault. With every attack, he remained cautious, aiming to evade further punishment and awaiting an opportune moment.
Eventually, in a moment of desperation, Ava attempted to wrangle Ye Chen into a hug, hoping to halt the onslaught and strategize for a timeout. But in a swift reflex, Ye Chen powerfully pushed Ava back with his elbows—he was acutely aware of Ava's intentions, thinking to himself, "You want a hug? Let's bring the fight." With grit, Ye Chen clenched his teeth and inhaled deeply, resolving to continue the assault.
He launched two consecutive strikes directed at Ava's midsection with his backhand before delivering a rapid hook. The first gut punch hit home, causing Ava to involuntarily bend over in pain. It was a classic maneuver, reminiscent of the techniques favored by legends like Tyson—one that had proven effective through generations of boxing.
The second uppercut caught Ava off guard, propelling him upward momentarily. Yet, the strength and determination of his opponent were formidable; he did not falter or fall, instead following up with a quick one-two combination targeting Ye Chen's ribs—an area previously compromised by a fracture. Despite sensing the strike's power, Ye Chen felt no pain, driven instead by adrenaline.
Ye Chen retaliated with fervent jabs to Ava's guard, yet Ava was quick to respond, the two fighters sliding into a frantic back-and-forth exchange. It became a duel defined by resolve—who could take the most damage while remaining on their feet?
"Canelo, don't engage him! He's unhinged!" shouted team members, their voices hoarse from the sheer volume of their cries. "Canelo, step back! Don't let him corner you!" It was evident that Ye Chen's relentless assault had caught them off guard. Ava, despite his superior skill, found himself drawn into a brawl.
Amidst the chaos, the ringing in Ava's ear rendered tactics useless; he was disoriented but still stood his ground against Ye Chen's unyielding advance. Bloodied and exhausted, the fighters were consumed by their instincts, leaving conscious thought behind as they relied solely on their honed skills to devastate each other.
Ye Chen had lost count of all the powerful blows he had absorbed and given; it no longer mattered. He was only aware of the weight of Ava's resistance, as solid and defiant as a sandbag. Each hit he delivered seemed to ignite a ferocious counterattack, as if Ava were a spring-loaded contraption that rebounded with every strike.
A sudden uppercut sent Ye Chen reeling, nearly knocking his mouthpiece free had he not clenched down instinctively. As he stumbled backward, seeking to regain balance, a glimmer of blue caught his eye—a fist hurtling towards him with alarming speed. Acting purely on reflex, Ye Chen leaned back, just in time to evade the blow while launching a swift backhand hook that met Ava's attack with equal ferocity.
In that split second, the two fighters crashed into each other with a staggering intensity. It was a moment that encapsulated their unwavering determination—who would emerge victorious in this brutal clash of strength and will?