But unlike before, Satoru's punches begin to tighten. The arcs shorten, the swings come in straighter, more compact.
Then, in the middle of that chaos, he shifts. He leans back slightly, slipping into that lazy sway, just for a moment, building a small pendulum step as he gives a fraction of space.
The commentators pick it up.
"There's that sway again…"
"He's backing off a little… first time we've seen him give space like this since the pressure started."
Takasugi reads it the wrong way, taking it as a sign the pressure is finally breaking.
After everything he's just pushed through, it feels like he's shaken off that fear. Confidence floods back in, the hesitation disappears.
The surge carries him forward as he drives in with two heavy punches. And that's the opening Satoru has been expecting.
Satoru dips his head while raising his right guard, catching the lead hook on the side of his head.
Dug.
