By the third round, Elliot finally begins changing the rhythm of the fight. The violent pace from earlier rounds gradually slows as he deliberately lowers the beat of his pendulum dance.
His lead hand becomes lazier now, flicking out light jabs and soft lead hooks more as probes than true attacks while his shoulders continue swaying gently from side to side.
It is not stamina conservation. Elliot is just trying to lure Shimamura in. He begins offering something now; hesitation, openings, invitations.
"Everything has become weirdly calm! Just a few rounds ago this looked like controlled violence. Now it almost feels… tense and quiet."
"And honestly, you have to wonder here; are they already getting exhausted? Because both guys are fighting at a completely different pace now."
