Meanwhile, the blue corner's locker room is packed, but no one is celebrating.
They're all facing the flat screen mounted above the equipment cases. Coaches, cornermen, fighters from Murakami Boxing Gym standing shoulder to shoulder. They look thrilled, but no one speaks.
Aramaki lets out a breath through his teeth, an unsure grin tugging at his face.
"…That was a hell of a fight," he mutters. "That last counter was crazy. And Liam Kuroda…"
He shakes his head slowly, eyes never leaving the screen. "I can't believe he even got up after that."
He glances sideways at Ryoma. "You think the ref made the right call?"
Ryoma doesn't look away from the screen. "He had a valid reason," he says evenly. "And Liam Kuroda himself convinced him. He should've stayed down longer. Not rushing to his feet."
Coach Murakami folds his arms, now shifting his attention to Ryoma, listening.
Ryoma's voice softens. "And even if the referee hadn't stopped it… Liam's chances were almost zero."
