Chapter 93 - Out-Boxing

The referee now stood between Hamadeen and Simon, staring both of them down as he lifted his arm.

Referee: Fighters… ARE YOU READY?!

Hamadeen entered a basic guard stance as Simon took on a kokutsu-dachi, a back stance.

Li: Hey, that's a defensive karate stance!

Thong: Oh yeah, you use karate too, right?

Li: Well, yeah. Karate and other Asian martial arts. But just looking at that guy, he's on another level of skill.

Thong: Maybe because he dedicated everything to karate?

Li: I have no idea. We need to wait and see.

Hugo: These hot dogs are pretty good.

The referee stood between the fighters before quickly swinging down his arm.

Referee: BEGIIIIIIIIN!!

The first one to make a move was none other than Hamadeen, charging in, and throwing multiple rapid flicker jabs. The audience looked in surprise as Simon weaved and dodged each of Hamadeen's jabs.

Man 1: It's like the strikes are going through him!

Man 2: Does Hamadeen even have a chance here?!

Hamadeen's thoughts: The testing phase is over.

Hamadeen increased the speed of his jabs, shock filling the audience further as his jabs slowly forced Simon to step back. Simon's stance held strong, however, allowing him to easily move with the jabs. Hamadeen quickly switched from his right to his left, this slight moment having Simon dodge slower. Simon smiled as he pushed Hamadeen's punch away with a forearm, quickly moving around and aiming for a punch to Hamadeen's head. Hamadeen leaned back, narrowly dodging the punch before jumping back.

Hamadeen's thoughts: His defensive prowess is pretty good. He ain't a slouch…

Simon quickly rushed in, throwing several quick punches, only for Hamadeen to kick off the ground and open space between them. Simon tried to move in close once again, only to avoid another jab. Each moment he tried to move in closer, Hamadeen threw another quick jab. Each jab positioned Simon just far enough that none of his attacks were even close to striking Hamadeen. Joseph watched from one of the monitor rooms, Violet and Tristan standing behind him.

Tristan: He's good at keeping his distance.

Joseph: Of course he is. Hamadeen is an out-boxer. Those types naturally keep their distance and try to tire out their opponents. They often go for a hit-and-run strategy to wear down opponents quicker. This type of matchup is even more favorable for Hamadeen.

Violet: And why is that?

Joseph: Do you remember their heights from the beginning of the match?

Violet: Yeah. Hamadeen is 180 centimeters and Simon is a bit above 170…

Violet's eyes opened wide, Joseph smirking at her assessment.

Joseph: Exactly. The wingspan of a fighter is around the same as their height. Meaning in this case, Hamadeen's reach would by default be further than Simon's. So in a matchup like this, Hamadeen won't be outdone.

Tristan: This looks so promising, it feels like cheating!

Joseph: I told you, never doubt the Collective. Hamadeen is going to show you something good.

Hamadeen and Simon entered a dance of strikes and dodges. Each of Hamadeen's strikes were quickly blocked by Simon, and each time Simon tried to move in on Hamadeen, Hamadeen would quickly open the distance and keep it with his strikes. The audience was left speechless as their strikes flew towards one another. Hamadeen focused his gaze before landing a quick jab to Simon's chest. Simon staggered for a moment, Hamadeen not letting this moment pass him by. He charged in and aimed for a quick uppercut, only for his forearm to be grabbed by Simon. They both met each other's gaze, neither moving an inch.

Tristan: Hey! He had the edge for a moment and already lost it? Where's this good thing you mentioned?

Joseph: Just shut up and watch. You don't want to underestimate Hamadeen.

Hamadeen immediately moved in with a left hook, Simon reaching out to catch it, only for Hamadeen to pull his other hand free and wrap his arms around Simon. Simon tried to wriggle his way out, Hamadeen opening only the slightest space to land a hook across Simon's face. Simon staggered as Hamadeen opened the space between them once more. Not allowing another moment to pass, Simon threw a chop at Hamadeen, Hamadeen quickly jumping away and letting the strike slam into the ground. Sweat rested as clear as day on Hamadeen's forehead as he glanced at the ground he was just at.

Zachary: W-What the?!

Zenzo: Am I seeing that right? Did Simon just cut into the ground?!

Right where Hamadeen was once standing, a deep cut laid in the ground. It was not particularly deep, yet the clean-cut was enough to leave the audience speechless. Simon rubbed his cheek before pointing at Hamadeen with his other hand.

Simon: Hey, stop moving. How else am I going to beat your ass?

Hamadeen: Stop moving?! You tried to cut me in half!

Simon: Did I? Well, we won't know if it'll do that until we test it out.

Hamadeen gritted his teeth before raising his guard up once again. Simon responds by entering a zenkutsu dachi. His stance was wide as he led with his right leg. In a moment, both fighters charged in, Hamadeen's superior reach allowing him to land another punch to the side of Simon's chest. Simon staggered, but managed to throw a spear hand aimed directly at Hamadeen's head. Hamadeen swayed, moving to Simon's right before landing a clean strike to Simon's head. Simon stumbled back, his balance finally having been thrown off. The Arachna watched on closely, Magnus and Yussuf looking at the screen worriedly.

Yussuf: A punch like that has to hurt!

Magnus: Hamadeen has some powerful punches, even something like that can mess up Simon's brain…

Shizu: You two need to calm down. You're acting as if this is the end of Simon.

Yussuf: Isn't it only normal to think that?! He's taken two strikes to the head from Hamadeen of all people! He isn't a Ryan or Cero, but his strikes are like a heavyweight in only the super welterweight class!

Daymond: I cannot deny that Hamadeen is a massive threat. He would've ended the match against any regular fighter. But Simon is no regular fighter.

Magnus: You couldn't be referring to…

Daymond: He's displayed his strength once already. Hamadeen is now wary of his hands. Now it is up to Simon to learn how to use that.

Hamadeen rushed in, throwing several flicker jabs as he kept Simon off balance. Simon raised his defense, feeling Hamadeen's onslaught of strikes. With a quick push forward, Simon pushed Hamadeen's strikes away before entering a neko-ashi-dachi. Simon's front right foot stood on only its toes as his back left foot stood firm. Noticing Simon's lack of motion, Hamadeen charged forward, throwing a right straight, only for Simon to parry it with his forearm. Hamadeen followed with a series of quick jabs, Simon responding to each of these by blocking quickly. Hamadeen ramped up the speed, with some of his punches landing directly on Simon's guard. Simon knew that he had no more time to spare, throwing a right spear hand aimed directly for Hamadeen. Hamadeen waved around the strike, running in close for a finishing punch. Blood spilled into the air as the audience stared in shock. Magnus and Yussuf were left wide-eyed, Tristan and Violet with their mouths wide open.

Zachary: A cut?! From that angle?!

Blood spurted from Hamadeen's chest, Simon's right foot being pulled back as blood dripped from his toes.

Hamadeen's thoughts: He can even cut… with his feet?

Simon: I was waiting for you to fall for the bait.

Hamadeen staggered back, placing a hand over his chest as he looked up at Simon. Simon opened his stance wide, his right leg far ahead of his left. He held out his hands, preparing for the next strike.

Hamadeen's thoughts: He's a human weapon!