In this transition phase, Ryoma has to keep his timing, speed, and coordination sharp, the holy trinity of an out-boxer's identity. At the same time, he needs to build muscle that does something, not just sits there looking impressive in mirrors.
Hiroshi calls it "functional growth," which sounds fancy until you realize it just means pain, sweat, and no days off. His formula: 40% body conditioning, 60% boxing training, 100% exhaustion.
The week blurs into a loop of repetition and fatigue, a metronome powered by sweat and stubbornness.
Monday: Strength and Core Power.
After warming up, Ryoma starts his day with squats, three sets of heavy lifts that make the floorboards shudder.
Then deadlifts, push presses, and the long slow torture of hanging leg raises. Hiroshi circles him like a noisy toddler, eyes fixed on the rhythm of Ryoma's movement.
"Keep the motion clean," he says. "Every angle counts. Your core's your anchor. Lose it, and the rest falls apart."
