Cabello and Ryoma remain standing motionless, neither man making any attempt to resume the fight.
The referee glances from one fighter to the other, his patience finally wearing thin.
"Box!" His voice rings through the arena. "Let's go! Continue boxing!"
Still, Cabello barely reacts. He remains rooted to the spot, his mind trapped inside the question Ryoma has planted there.
Ryoma, meanwhile, slips right back into his imitation. This time the mimicry is almost exaggerated, wearing the very same bewildered expression, matching the vacant stare and even the slightest twitch of Cabello's face as though determined to keep the illusion alive for as long as possible.
Unable to watch any longer, Rivera is the first to break the silence. He slaps the ring apron sharply, even though more than twenty seconds still remain in the round.
"What's wrong with you, Cabello?" he shouts. "Stop worrying about his gimmicks. Focus on your boxing. You're still ahead in this fight."
