197 They Were All Stunned, Standing and Fighting

As the second round unfolded, it became clear that both fighters were taking a more reserved approach. Ye Chen quickly noticed that Ava had toned down his aggression compared to the intensity he displayed in the latter half of the first round. Instead of charging in with fierce determination, he played it much more cautiously this time around. This shift in strategy wasn't entirely unexpected. Just as Ye Chen could adapt his tactics on the fly, Ava was certainly capable of making adjustments as well.

After the intense exchanges of the first round, both fighters appeared somewhat weary, opting for tentative strikes rather than aggressive attempts. The audience, accustomed to the ebb and flow of a fierce match, grew restless.

"Come on! Fight already!" someone shouted, frustration evident in their voice.

"Are you here for a stroll in the park or what?" another added, unable to contain their disappointment.

However, those familiar with boxing could see that both fighters were strategically biding their time, searching for the perfect opportunity to strike. Their defenses were commendably tight, leaving hardly any openings. The first player to make a move risked exposing vulnerabilities that the other could quickly capitalize on.

It might sound curious, but it's an adage that's often proven true in the ring: a first strike can lead to swift repercussions. Even a simple jab can create fractions of a second where defenses lower, and in a high-stakes encounter, those moments can alter the course of the match.

"Bang."

Ye Chen deftly retreated from the initial offensive jab, aware of the importance of timing. With a little over two minutes gone in the second round, the conclusion loomed closer, yet tension filled the air. Ava seized the chance, maneuvering quickly into striking range. But rather than launching an immediate attack, he positioned his hands defensively, employing slick head movements to evade any incoming strikes from Ye Chen.

Ye Chen felt the pressure mounting with each small dodge Ava employed; it was as if the air in the ring thickened, filled with an unyielding sense of anticipation. The uncertainty of his next move rendered Ye Chen somewhat apprehensive as he found himself backing away defensively.

"Bang."

Ava capitalized on Ye Chen's slight misstep, darting forward with impeccable timing for a punch. Content in his Philadelphia stance, Ye Chen instinctively moved his right hand to guard his chin. The blow landed squarely on his arm, the impact reverberating through his body, reminding him of the strength behind Ava's strikes.

Realizing his initial strike landed effectively, Ava didn't miss a beat. He continued to unleash a barrage of punches, shifting rapidly as he dug into Ye Chen's defenses with targeted blows, particularly a heavy front-hand shot aimed at his abdomen. Ye Chen was fortunate that his stance absorbed much of the impact, though he knew he had to remain vigilant.

As Ava unleashed his flurry, Ye Chen sought to maintain composure amidst the chaos, deftly timing a back fist that connected as both fighters navigated this whirlwind of strikes. While the punch landed, it lacked the potency needed to rattle Ava, who was quick on his feet, shifting his focus.

"What are you up to?" Ye Chen thought, startled by Ava's newfound burst of speed that pressed dangerously close to him, limiting his escape routes. The urgency of the moment demanded that he engage, as he could no longer afford to merely absorb the punishment.

Despite the onslaught, there was still a strategy at play. Ye Chen wasn't merely responding; he aimed to counter Ava's relentless pace by focusing on finding precise opportunities to land single, well-timed shots aimed at interrupting his stream of attacks.

The arena erupted as Ava unleashed a series of eleven staggeringly heavy punches within mere seconds. The audience, reignited by his fierce energy, cheered enthusiastically, adding to the palpable tension.

Amidst the din, Ye Chen urged himself to remain level-headed. He understood that Ava was attempting to break his defenses with brute force, shattering them in order to expose weaknesses, creating an opportunity for a decisive hit. Ironically, Ava's aggressive tactics indicated that Ye Chen's own strategic perspective was sound.

He remained confident in his tactics; if he endured the storm, Ava would likely tire himself out, draining his physical energy with each passing strike. Good for Ye Chen, as Ava's commitment to attacking required considerable physical exertion. Punches aren't purely about raw strength; they demand coordination, precise movement, and quick adaptability in order to dodge incoming counters.

In the midst of all this energy, Ye Chen rarely engaged in purely offensive combinations. Many spectators may assume that weaving and bobbing are just ways to evade strikes. But in truth, they also serve to relieve pressure, allowing him to manage the intensity of the onslaught. Should he manage to evade the blows, the continual movement would mitigate the impact when punches were thrown in his direction.

Time ticked on, and in less than ten seconds, Ava's pace showed definitive signs of waning. He launched a signature sequence, a wild punch aimed at Ye Chen's head, followed by an attack to the abdomen, and finished with an uppercut. In total, Ava had unleashed sixteen punches in this round alone, to which Ye Chen met each one with deflection or dodge, but even a solid guard felt the brunt of his strikes.

Certainly, Ye Chen landed his own hits along the way. His front-hand jab nicked Ava's chin once, followed by a back-hand shot aimed squarely at his head. However, due to the extent of Ava's movements and the constraints of the momentum, neither punch had the fateful effect he hoped for. Instead, Ava remained unfazed, continuing his fast-paced pressure.

Just as it seemed Ava would shift away to regroup, Ye Chen spotted his chance. He halted momentarily, focusing on accurate strikes, launching a lightning-fast jab that aimed directly for Ava. Despite his accuracy, the punch met only air as Ava expertly repositioned his defense, blocking with his hands.

"Crack."

With keen timing, Ye Chen took a calculated risk and sent a powerful back-hand jab crashing toward Ava. His aim was precise; he had no hesitation as he struck for his head with intention.

Ava countered instinctively, raising his defenses and tightening his stance. The quick movements of the fight had primed Ye Chen to deliver an even more deceptive blow. As he snuck in a kidney shot, he quickly followed with a right hook aimed toward Ava's abdomen.

"Bang."

Ye Chen connected with all three strikes, marking a series of effective hits. However, Ava remained resilient, managing to guard himself against significant impact due to the necessity for his evasive movements, which stripped away much of the force behind Ye Chen's punches. Nevertheless, Ye Chen's strikes had a clear effect, leaving Ava dazed, albeit momentarily.

But before Ye Chen could delight in his success, Ava surged forward with newfound vigor, letting out a low growl as he swung a flat hook aimed straight at Ye Chen's head. The force was nearly overwhelming, sending Ye Chen staggering back, crashing against the ropes.

As momentum swung in Ava's favor, he pressed the advantage, charging with a powerful punch aimed at Ye Chen. Thankfully, Ye Chen's instincts kicked in; he swiftly recoiled, narrowly evading the blow aimed at his head.

In the ensuing moments, both fighters found themselves grappling with the dizzying aftermath of their exchange. Each had felt the ethereal impact of a hard-hitting match, leading to what resembled a chaotic scramble as they pushed the limits of their endurance.

Ava, though visibly fatigued from his previous barrage, pressed onward, hammering out a relentless rhythm of punches that left Ye Chen feeling cornered at the edge of the ring.