As Applejack beared down on Twilight, Spike, firmly nestled into the bed in front of the big screen, asked, "Have you been a fan of boxing long, Big McIntosh?" The strapping young lad in question took a swig of his cider before nodding at him
"Also been inside the squared circle my fair share. Been a long runnin' tradition for the Apple men, far as I reckon"
"The way your sister fights, you'd think the whole clan laced 'em up" This drew a chuckle from the big guy as he watched her pinpoint defense go to work.
"Ya wouldn't believe how many of my kin turned up to share what they know. Braeburn, especially, made sure she learned heaps about settin' up power shots, as you can see" As if on cue, Twilight was blinded by a jab, then drilled with a straight to the body, Spike cringing slightly.
"So Applejack has a whole family of boxing knowledge going into each punch? Sounds like the odds are stacked well in her favor"
"Eeyup. Don't mean Twi can't handle herself, though. Just watch how she finds the perfect opening for each punch." From Applejack's high hook, Twilight weaved into a one-two body blow, dodging her uppercut, and responding with another to the solar plexus.
"That's amazing. If she can do that, though, why hasn't she knocked her out, yet?"
"The short answer is 'cause strength ain't 'er strength, tactics is"
"Tactics?" Asked Apple Bloom. "As in boxing tactics? The kind my sister's been studying from the greats for hours after her workouts?"
"The same kind Twi can break down in a two shakes of Winona's tail. If you don't believe me, why don't I show y'all while the fight's goin' on?" The girls nodded, Big McIntosh taking a seat beside them as the round entered the final 1:30.
***
Y'all know Applejack's never been into that fancy stuff, and her style reflects it. She puts her everything into everything she does, like this step in jab, and the wild overhead she just chased it with. Mighty powerful stuff, but mighty easy to plan for, if you're sharp enough. All Twi has to do is wait for 'er to wind up the high heat, like right now. While Applejack was rearin' back, Twi tagged 'er with a 1-1-2 right between the eyes. Of course, since she's built double tough, that just felt like a stiff breeze, which means she still ain't respectin' Twi's space, and will keep on workin' in the pocket until somethin' convinces 'er not to, like, say, gettin' knocked on her flank. If you ask me, Twi's boxin' like a bookworm learnin' to play chess, and Applejack's boxin' like she's playin' Blackjack, workin' to get that jackpot shot she, I, and everyone that's met 'er knows she's got in that bag o' tricks
***
Their jaws hug well low from Big McIntosh's insight. "You got all that...from watching 3 rounds of them boxing?" Asked Scootaloo
"The world can show ya plenty when ya pay it due mind. Learned that watchin' Applejack blossom into a wreckin' machine for tonight. Even Apple Bloom knows what this means to 'er, don'cha?"
"If you mean how she pushed past her own limits to do us proud, then yes I do." Applejack was fixated on her sister, watching how each power punch she threw suddenly couldn't find their mark. "I just hope she can catch 'er with that Jackpot shot, though. Don't know how she can when Twi won't stand still"
"If Twi did, this would never have gone beyond Round 1. I imagine Twi knows this, too, that's why she's always on the move. Can't KO 'em, if ya can't even keep up with 'em"
"But AJ is one of the best athletes around!" Sweetie Belle pointed out. "How is her not being able to keep pace even logical?"
"Movin' on the racetrack ain't like movin' in the ring, Sweetie. Applejack learned that the hard way sparrin' with our kin. All of 'em did what Twi's tryin' to do: make 'er work so hard at keepin' pace, she won't have nothin' left in 'er swing. In other words, ropin' a dope"
"That's just nonsense!" Exclaimed Apple Bloom. "There ain't no way Applejack would fall for that! You know she's studied film from the greatest there's ever been, right!"
"She has. Now we'll see if she's learned anything from 'em." The bell rung, and the camera went to each fighter's corner.
***
"Oh come now!" Rarity let out as she toweled Applejack off. "You're better than this, and you know it! If you make it this easy for her to read you, the only thing you'll strike at is air!"
"This is a marathon, Applejack, not a sprint" Said Fluttershy. "To finish here, you have to get to the end. Just relax, and be more patient. The time to strike will come, just make sure you have the energy to capitalize on it"
***
"I'm liking what I'm seeing, Twi" Said Rainbow Dash. "Now that you're finding those gaps, though, I wanna see punches come in bunches when you do, alright?"
"Make sure you're getting most out of each one, too!" Pinkie Pie added. "The judges like it, and it'll sting a lot more down the line! Remember, full extension brings adulation from both the crowd and the people scoring this thing!"