The atmosphere inside Korakuen Hall refuses to settle. If anything, the noise only grows louder as the seconds tick away between rounds.
Then the bell for the sixth round rings.
Ding!
And the crowd immediately responds with another surge of excitement.
"Let's go, Aramaki!"
"Give us another round like that!"
"Come on, Leo!"
"Beat him, champ! I know you can do it!"
Despite the rough ending to the previous round, Serrano leaves the corner with the same swagger he always carries.
His head bobs lightly from side to side, moving to a rhythm nobody else can hear, as though he is strolling through the entrance of a crowded pub with music playing somewhere in the background.
It looks less like a boxer stepping into the sixth round of a title fight and more like a man enjoying himself in the middle of a dance floor.
Across from him, Aramaki leaves his corner still with the disciplined composure. He claims the center of the ring and brings his guard high and tight.
