Chapter 1028: A Trap Disguise as Pursuit
In fact, Aramaki has felt the impact of Callahan’s counter, but he refuses to let that show. He is applying mental pressure now, trying to plant fear in his opponent’s mind.
The new style he has developed with Ryoma relies heavily on feints and hesitation movements to build constant pressure.
But neither can work as intended unless he makes his opponent respect the danger behind every punch he throws.
So he needs to convince himself that he is invincible, or at least that his opponent is hurting more than he is.
I’m okay.
The plan is working.
He’s starting to fear me.
As Aramaki continues the pursuit, Callahan maintains his distance with economical footwork.
At times, he simply circles at a steady pace, looking almost relaxed as he flicks occasional jabs from the outside.
Aramaki keeps his head moving, slipping some of the jabs while allowing others to meet his guard. A few still get through, clipping his cheek or temple when he fails to evade them cleanly.
Yet he pays them little mind. The punches barely register as touches against his skin, scoring points without causing any real damage.
"Callahan looks completely comfortable out there," one commentator observes. "He’s dictating the distance, picking his moments, and making Aramaki work for every step forward."
"And that’s the problem for Aramaki," the other replies. "He needs to get inside to make his pressure count, but Callahan keeps moving just enough to deny him that opportunity. So far, the American is giving him very little to work with."
However, whenever Aramaki makes a sharp half-entry, lowering his right glove in preparation for a hook, Callahan’s relaxed steps disappear.
He quickly retreats and makes a sharp L-step to his right, circling away from Aramaki’s dominant hand.
"I’m not letting you use that right tonight."
From there, he continues flicking jabs. A few steps and jab, and continues circling, then throws another jab after a few steps.
"Callahan is settling into his rhythm now. You can see the confidence growing as he circles toward Aramaki’s left."
"And it’s not just about throwing punches. It’s about controlling distance and angle, taking away your opponent’s best weapons, and making him work for every opportunity."
For a while, Aramaki continues following Callahan like a naive fighter, giving the impression that he has no strategy beyond chasing his opponent.
He looks like the same one-dimensional pressure fighter he has always been, relentlessly pursuing Callahan without any apparent change in approach.
But beneath that persistence, Aramaki subtly herds Callahan toward the routes he wants him to take. He keeps him guessing with random feints and occasional level changes, threatening sudden entries that provoke reactions from the American.
Then, at the right moment, he abruptly stops following and takes a wide side step to his left before bending his left knee, as though loading up for a leaping Gazelle Punch.
Callahan reads the motion and quickly moves in the opposite direction. But Aramaki cancels the punch and suddenly steps in with a low stance.
He drives a left toward Callahan’s body, his right glove hovering above in preparation for a downward punch.
Callahan slaps the left hand aside and quickly steps back to avoid the anticipated right. But Aramaki never throws it.
The threat is just another hesitation movement, designed to make Callahan react and keep him under pressure.
By the time Callahan realizes it, his back is already touching the ropes.
"The pressure is working! Aramaki’s got him cornered!"
"Callahan’s running out of room!"
Aramaki lowers his stance again and sends another left to the body.
Callahan quickly tilts his torso into a bladed stance, letting the glove only graze his chest.
As Aramaki drives a powerful right forward, Callahan’s lead shoulder is already there to absorb the punch.
He manages to block it, but...
DUGH!!
The impact is so heavy that it knocks his entire body into the ropes.
"Good lord, what a shot!"
"You can hear that impact all the way over here!"
Aramaki quickly takes another step, making the space even tighter before unleashing a series of devastating short hooks from random angles.
The left comes first, catching Callahan before his stance has stabilized.
Then the right, hammering his lead shoulder.
Another left pounds the forearm covering his chest.
Another right knocks his lead shoulder inward.
Thud!
Dug. Dug.
DUGH!!
As Callahan’s upper body bends from the previous impact, another left comes from a low angle.
Callahan quickly pulls his torso and head away, leaning against the ropes.
As Aramaki’s uppercut misses and sails harmlessly upward, Callahan releases a compact right hook from below.
It lands on Aramaki’s body.
Thud!
But Aramaki’s right hand keeps swinging toward his head.
Callahan manages to pull his head sideways, but...
BUGH!
The hook still slams hard into the side of his neck.
And Aramaki’s left hand comes again, followed by the right, then the left.
No matter what Callahan does, neither hand stops working. They keep hammering away at him, breaking through the shell with a constant assault.
Dug. Dug. Thud!
Bugh! Dug. Dsh! Bugh!
Both commentators rise from their seats as the crowd erupts around them.
Their voices climb with the roar of the audience as Aramaki continues pounding Callahan against the ropes.
"He’s not letting up! Aramaki just keeps swinging!"
"Callahan can’t get out! Look at this! He’s doing everything he can, and Aramaki is still coming!"
Callahan’s defense still looks remarkably clean despite the relentless assault.
He keeps slipping punches, pulling his head away, rolling his lead shoulder, and twisting his upper body to redirect incoming blows.
But he cannot block everything. Each impact against his guard disrupts his balance and posture, leaving brief openings for other punches to slip through.
At times, Callahan even lifts his left elbow to create a little space between himself and Aramaki. All the while, he waits for the right moment to unleash his coiling counter, waiting for the powerful straight punch he expects Aramaki to throw at his head.
But that punch never comes. Despite the madness, Aramaki keeps his mind calm. He keeps throwing compact hooks, generating power through his legs and hip rotation without overcommitting his upper body.
"Don’t rush..."
"Don’t rush..."
As the pressure keeps mounting, Callahan simply forces a right counter forward.
"Why don’t you stop now?!"
To his surprise, Aramaki smoothly steps back.
Dsh!
The counter hits Aramaki on the face, but the backward step dulls the impact.
Ignoring the pain, Aramaki quickly slides his lead foot forward again and digs a sharp left hook into Callahan’s body.
BUGH!
The impact folds Callahan forward, his knees buckling as his posture collapses.
"Damn it."
"How did he...?
And Aramaki’s right hook quickly follows afterward...
BAM!!!
...smacking Callahan hard on the side of the head.
"Woohohoho! That’s harsh!"
"Good lord! Aramaki is showing him absolutely no mercy!"