Work Text
“Practice makes perfect”
That is a common phrase thrown around when teaching the importance of practicing a new skill you’re learning so you can master it. It’s a catch all phrase really applicable to pretty much everywhere, this of course includes combat sports. Although combat sports seem simple enough there are a lot of underlying complexities under the surface, these complexities takes time and effort to master does necessitating practice time. Now just because this the conventional wisdom doesn't mean that it’s a rule that applies to everybody, there are exceptions where even without practice they are still very able and skilled.
They may look lazy and undisciplined, which they are but that surface appearance simply hides what they are underneath. Formidable opponents that has found their own ways to do things and do things well. They can a terrifying foe to fight against because their body of work is unique to them and to them only, some might even say that these people are impossible to beat. But to say that with 100% confidence is apocryphal, every situation has it’s nuances that defies conventions this scenario is not excluded from that. Today i will tell the story of a fight where practice does makes perfect and triumphs against an exceptional exceptions.
Heizou is that exceptional exception. He once was part of a strict training regiment and he hates it wishing to be more free and do things by his own accords, and once he did that he has come into his own fostering a carefree, dazzling, and unique style of fighting unique to him. Now he does still train his moves, but it’s nothing compared to what would be considered a normal training regimen for a fighter. Despite that he was on a steady rise up the ladder racking up wins and fans as he goes. Something he probably thought would continue that fight night as he enter the ring wearing his red gloves and white trunks black side stripes.
Chongyun on the other hand is a much more orthodox fighter. He came from a long and big familial line of martial arts practitioners who are well respected, in fact he is the heir to the clan leadership. And he has acted as such training diligently everyday to honed his skills both combat and non-combat, he always strives to be as good as people have come to expect a member of his clan should be. In the ring this traditional style might not win him as much attention as Heizou’s, but it is darn effective in winning him fights and made him assembled a modest but loyal following of what you can describe as purists combat sports enthusiast. As he strolls into the ring that fight night wearing his black gloves and white trunks with blue sides and his clan’s symbol at the bottom he wasn’t exactly favored, but those who believe in him know he should never be counted out in any circumstances.
As they were being introduced it was clear that more of the crowd in attendance is in support of Heizou than Chongyun, that didn’t seem to deter Chongyun though as he continue to conduct himself in a calm and orderly manner. Heizou on the other hand was soaking it all in, he’s a nice and humble man privately but publicly he’s not against a little cheeky showboat here and there. This contrast continue as they stare each other down during the final briefing with the referee at the center ring. Here it can be seen that when it comes to muscle proportions they don’t really differ much, Chongyun is perhaps slightly more muscular due to his more strict training but it’s nothing earth shattering. As the briefing finished both return to their corners to warm up, after a few more moments of preparations the awaited moment and signal finally came from the referee with great excitement from the crowd in the arena.
DING
“Fight!”
The starting bell rang out and as customary both fighters approach each other at center ring to touch gloves. After they done so both pulled back a step to begin their fight in earnest, immediately the difference in their approach to fighting can be seen. Chongyun covered up and hold a firm stance focused on defending himself while looking for opening for attacks. Heizou on the other hand does the opposite leaving a much more open guard and looser stance, clearly he focused on attacking first and defense second. And that would be proven true incredibly quickly.
POW
Very quickly without much lead up Heizou threw a straight left at Chongyun’s guard, which although was up was not firm enough and so it got through hitting him straight in the face. This stunned Chongyun a little as he’s knocked back a step, Heizou took the opportunity to throw more attacks at him. Thankfully only a few lands as Chongyun managed to pick himself up and covered up firmly, thus limiting further damage. This is Heizou simple but deadly strategy, caught his opponent quickly with his wild trick filled moves to the point they’re too overwhelmed to fight back. So far this strategy has worked with he only having to adjust it a few times.
Credit to him during these few times he adjusted well to the challenge before him. However, Chongyun is unlike those few times his discipline from his training is almost second to none. He dodge and block most of Heizou’s attacks with relative ease, however even he knew that he couldn’t stay like this. If he wanted to win he has to go out and go on the offensive, it would took him awhile however as the first two rounds passed with Heizou dominating their exchanges for the most part.
As the second round ends and both fighters took their rest Chongyun still appears cool and collected though it seems like his corner is urging him to take the initiative very soon now if he wants to win. Heizou on the other hand although still looking fine he’s clearly concerned, Chongyun is unlike anyone else he has face before and his current strategy doesn’t seem to be working as well as with others. Still he is winning on the judges scorecards, if he kept as is ‘till the end he should be able to won out. Not much time to think about it however as call to begin third round came, both fighters ready themselves once more to continue. As the round start and they touched gloves it seems like the same pace as before would continue, there however is where we would get it wrong.
WHAM
Not missing a beat after starting Chongyun immediately swung a vicious left hook at Heizou’s cheeks. Despite being used to dishing out sudden attacks he never thought he would be on the receiving end of it. The punch landed cleanly with sweat and saliva flying off of Heizou’s head, he wobbles in place as chongyun pounce with more attacks at him. It’s here however Heizou showed that he is not a one trick pony, he manage to steady himself and standing his ground began trading hits with Chongyun in the traditional manner. He traded blows with Chongyun for the rest of the round showing his ability to adjust when needed even if he’s more comfortable with his own style.
However despite fully deserving of those credits i just gave him above one important thing needs to be noted. In the previous times he has to adjust mid-fight he was able to cope with resistance he receive, that was not the case with this fight unfortunately. As the third round ends and he returned to his corner he appeared spent, all his energy used up to keep up with Chongyun who in contrast seemed energized in his corner. When the fourth round begin it was clear the previous round has taken a lot out of him, his stance tired, his breathing heavy, his movement hobbled, and his guard sloppy and weak. That last part is critical, he was never much known for defense but now he’s less and less able to defend against Chongyun’s attacks. This didn’t go unnoticed by Chongyun who starts pummeling him with blow after blow, though he didn’t went all out electing to be cautious just in case.
The fourth round concludes and now Heizou was struggling to even return to his corner. He seemed completely gassed out with nothing left in the tank, it would be wise for him to throw in the towel now but he refused. A true warrior never gives up no matter the situation, he will fights this out no matter how ugly until the very end. Meanwhile on the other side Chongyun also seemed tired but nowhere to the same degree as Heizou, there was no question if he could make it to the end or not. The call for the 5th and final round came Chongyun immediately stood up ready to go, Heizou took a bit more time before he belabouredly stood up from his stool.
Although his brave effort to fight out the final round is a commendable one that should be appreciated it’s obvious to everyone he really should’ve called it quits. He hobbled around the ring like a zombie seemingly his only goal is to remain upright, he could barely lift his gloves to guard himself let alone to swing out a punch. It was perfectly visible to everyone that he’s on his last legs, Chongyun had no such issues on the other hand. Although looking much more tired than he was during the first round he was in the first round he was still more than able to go through the paces. Eventually through repeated blows he cornered Heizou at a neutral corner, a tough situation to be in during a fight for any fighter but for the barely standing Heizou it was terminal.
WHACK BAM
What happened next was all but an inevitability. Chongyun quickly charges in and threw in a right hook at Heizou’s face, quickly followed making his shin well known to Heizou’s stomach. The hapless Heizou could do nothing as both blows landed cleanly on their target, instantly he was knocked back and down onto the canvas right in front of the neutral corner. It was his first time on the canvas in his career, seeing this the referee knows there’s only one thing to do.
“Down!”
He declared Heizou down and order Chongyun to the other neutral corner. After making sure Chongyun that as he was told he return to Heizou to start counting him out. However there he found someone in a frankly sorry state, he was lifting his head up but he could see that the fighter before him is in no way fit to fight anymore. His body is completely battered and bruised, his breathing extremely heavy, His mouth agape with saliva freely drooling out of it, but most importantly his expressions is completely devoid of colors. At that moment he realize there is no point to a count and so he does the only thing left he could do at that point.
“He’s out, the fight’s over”
DING DING DING
He waived the fight off and declared Heizou lost by TKO in the 5th round. His corner crew rush in to treat their defeated fighter as he eases up realizing he has lost. Meanwhile Chongyun jubilantly celebrates with his corner crew, they've won an upset victory although for them the victory was never in doubt as they always believes in their chances against anyone. On that night the purists fans rejoice, to them a prove of the still worthiness of traditional hard practice approach to fighting. Chongyun being the good sportsman he is approach Heizou as he’s still regaining his composure to cheer him up and compliment his fighting spirit. To that Heizou only smiles, perhaps happy that Chongyun recognizes him for what he truly is.
And what that was is a fighter who fights and fights hard. Whatever the nuance approaches there is to a fighter’s training or to the fight themselves that remains a true constant. An important aspect all must have regardless of everything else because without it what are you doing in the ring really?