For a split second, Ryohei feels nothing but vibration. The impact travels up his arm like a shockwave, glove compressing, knuckles biting through padding.
Then the pain follows, crawling from his fist to his wrist.
His face tightens. "Damn… that hurts."
In his entire career, he has never thrown a punch that heavy, not even in sparring, not even in anger. This one carried everything; weight, timing, promise.
At least, somewhere beneath the sting spreading through his knuckle, confidence settles in. He knows he's already won this fight.
Before the referee even steps between them, Ryohei turns and walks calmly toward the neutral corner, raising neither hand nor voice. He doesn't wait to be told.
"Down!" the referee shouts, pointing to the canvas as he moves toward Hamakawa.
The count doesn't start immediately. The official kneels first, checking the fallen challenger's eyes, gauging the reaction.
