The bell rang, and the opening seconds felt like a chess match. Nathan sprang forward, his footwork light, darting angles that seemed to defy the ropes. He launched a blistering jab‑cross combination, each punch snapping with crisp precision. Rocky’s head moved back, his shoulders tensing as he absorbed the impact—one of the first times the crowd heard the audible thud of Nathan’s strikes.
10-9 Emerson