[Episode] Punch Drunk!

As the pair were heading towards the entrance of the arena, they had to stop for a brief moment as the 'defender' was announced, that being Cortez himself. Needless to say, Cortez's entrance was awaited, and the crowd's cheers were a good indication of it.

"That's... Quite a song."

The song that was chosen for the entrance of Cortez contained quite some hint of violence in its tone. Was that what was awaiting Ryoichi? Lots of violence? Pain? Of course, that was what was awaiting Ryoichi. If one is not ready to get punched in this sport, they should not do it!

"South blue savior? In what way?" Ryoichi questioned his second, only to not get the answer since it was their time to enter the arena. It was the time to hype up! Ryoichi slammed his fists together as he was hopping on the spot, hearing the song starting to play, and the announcement start.

"Heh... Classic, have not heard this in ages... Wait... I am not self-proclaimed... That's what was given to me..."

But before he could fully explain, he was gently nudged forward, out from the dark hall and into the spotlight of thousands of people to witness the man walk towards the arena.

As he was walking, he could not help but look to his left, and to his right, and then up towards the lights, and then back forward, feeling some of the cold sweat form around his neck on top of the warmed-up body. "This is... So much more people than at any of my bouts..."

The walk towards the arena did not amass as many cheers as that of Cortez's, but what it did was amass people who actually sang to the classic rock song that was playing. Cortez did not have this kind of ability, perhaps people found it to be too violent? Or not classic enough?

"We really are not that welcome here huh?

As the man climbed the stairs and crawled from under the ropes, he stood in his corner, with his second next to him on his right. That was when the final announcement was made by none other than the host himself. And what an announcement it was.

If Ryoichi did good, he could have a chance to become even bigger a champion... However, if he lost, they would lose money, a lot of money. "Well yeah, I cannot lose already because of your investment... The token for claiming is a nice bonus."

As the announcement had ended, he walked in the middle of the ring together with his second to hear the rules be announced to the fighters, and also into the microphone for everyone in the arena to be heard.

"Okay, let us have a clean fight. The match can last up to twelve rounds. The winning conditions are as you already know, KO, TKO. Unless I see some funny business, DQ occurs. If you last twelve rounds, we will hear UD, SD, or MD. No rabbit punches, no kidney punches. No punches below the belt. Have a good fight! Touch gloves!"

All the technical terms were said out, each and every one of them Ryoichi understood, and most likely so did Cortez. These terms should be familiar to every boxing enthusiast. Ryoichi reached his blue gloves out for them to be touched by his opponent. It was up to the man to decide if he would do that. Whatever the man decided to do, Ryoichi would return to his corner for the robes to be removed and the mouth guard to be put into his mouth.

[601/7028/5000]

DING!

One gonk had landed on the metal bell. The bell indicated that the match had begun. Ryoichi moved off from his corner of the square-shaped ring, immediately as the bell rang and Bastion gave a slap on his back with the towel.

As much as Cortez went into the fight with the killer's intent, as much did Ryoichi. He dashed off from his corner, tipping on his toes, not letting his heel fall down on the ground. He went in swinging, having the same idea as Cortez had.

The match, as they always do, began in a very high spirit due to both fighters being in shape to fight, neither of them was tired or injured. While Cortez kept his dominant non-jabbing hand close to his chest, Ryoichi kept it more traditional. He kept the non-used hand balled into a fist, close to his cheek instead, to protect his face. He knew he was not to underestimate getting hooked into the face. He could not afford to be cocky.

The first set of jabs was easily dodged by Ryoichi with simple weaves. He followed then with a simple counter of two jabs, followed by a swift right straight, performing a simple, yet fast and well-executed one-two-three. Ryoichi could not afford to slug that heavily, especially since right now, the man had to keep up with the footwork until he manages to lead Cortez to the point where he could start pummeling him.

As it looked right now, the beginning of the match-up could make both fighters look like equals! But the fight was long from over, in fact, it has barely even lasted at this point, not even a minute was in yet. There were still many rounds to go. The fight ain't over until one lays down on the ground, or the fight is stopped... Taking it to the very end, was not an option.

[317/7345/5000]

Round 1:

Ryoichi:

[HT] Champions Weaving on himself
[LT] Champions jabs on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 19, 19

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 8, 18, 15, 13

Round 2:

Ryoichi:

[HT] Champions Right Straight on Cortez
[LT] Left hook on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 6, 6, 8

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 15, 9, 18, 3

Round 3:

Ryoichi:

[HT] Bear claws on Cortez
[LT] Champions jabs on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[HT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 3, 2, 7

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 13, 8, 19

Round 4:

Ryoichi:

[HT] Bear Bite on Cortez
[LT] Left hook on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 5, 6, 20

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 18, 1, 8, 15

Round 5:

Ryoichi:

[MT] Left uppercut on Cortez
[LT] Champions jabs on Cortez
[LT] Right Straight on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 15, 16, 16, 16

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 1, 9, 2, 6

Round 6:

Ryoichi:

[MT] Right hook on Cortez
[LT] Left hook on Cortez
[LT] Rotating jab on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[AoE] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 15, 6, 9, 11

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 4, 17

Round 7:

Ryoichi:

[LT] Champions jabs on Cortez
[LT] Right Straight on Cortez
[LT] Finger slice on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 13, 7, 7, 2

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 20, 17, 3, 17

Round 8:

Ryoichi:

[LT] Left hook on Cortez
[LT] Rotating jab on Cortez
[LT] Shadow Jabs on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[MT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 17, 6, 10, 18

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 16, 7, 6, 10

Round 9:

Ryoichi:

[LT] Champions jabs on Cortez
[LT] Right Straight on Cortez
[LT] Finger slice on Cortez
[UT] on Cortez

Cortez:

[HT] on Ryoichi
[LT] on Ryoichi
[UT] on Ryoichi

COMBAT TRACKERS:

The member 'Ryoichi Ayugai' has done the following action : Dice Roll

---

#1 'Reflex Check' : 1, 11, 11, 9

--------------------------------

#2 'Reflex Check' : 20, 20, 16

Round 10:

Ryoichi is knocked out and recovers 10% HP

Cortez recovers 10% HP

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Round 11:

Ryoichi is knocked out and recovers 10% HP

Cortez recovers 10% HP

COMBAT TRACKERS:

Round 12:

Ryoichi is knocked out and recovers 10% HP

Cortez recovers 10% HP

COMBAT TRACKERS: