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**Context:** a match between two [counter
puncher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxing#Boxing_styles) boxers in the
manga
[リクドウ](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%AA%E3%82%AF%E3%83%89%E3%82%A6).
After a calm fist round, in the second round they begin an intense fight
during which both throw a lot of counter punches to each other. However, none
of them manages to hit the other. At one point, one of the two thinks:

> まだか… 〝底〟は… **合わせる本命の拳** はまだ深くに… 初めてだ ここまで深い所に…

What is the meaning of 合わせる本命の拳? According to Kenkyusha dictionary, 本命 has two
meanings: `"a probable winner, the favorite"` and `"one's heart's desire, what
one really wants"`, but I think in this case it is the second one. As for
合わせる, I am not sure about its meaning and about who is the subject of the
verb, the boxer himself, his opponent or the punches? My idea is that the
punches he is usually able to deal with this time are causing him
difficulties. My translation attempt:

> The bottom... again? The punches that **suit** me/my fighting style and wich
> I **desire** are sending me down... It's the first time I reach such a deep
> place...

You can see the pages [here](https://i.imgur.com/ioc7AOV.jpg) and
[here](https://i.imgur.com/K9XiUlw.jpg). Thank you for your help!
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-26T20:58:00.300
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2019-09-29T16:35:41.870
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question
meaning manga sports
Meaning of 合わせる本命の拳 in the following context
(～に)合わせる means "to connect to ～", "to make something in time/tune with ～" or
"to place/set something together with ～". For example, 音楽に合わせて踊る,
彼女の休みに合わせて私も休む.

In this case, 合わせる拳 means "(enemy's) punch _after which I blow a counterpunch_
". It is a relative clause made from (敵の)拳に(自分のカウンターを)合わせる. 本命の is "the most
desired".
CC BY-SA 4.0
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answer
I guess both denotation `"a probable winner, the favorite"` and `"one's
heart's desire, what one really wants"` are close. I suppose adjective
impressive or impactful are close to 「本命{ほんめい}の」. But this time, in boxing
context, the word "killer" fits to the counter blow.

The subject of "合わせる" is "the boxer" who is trying to react opponent's punch
to smash his "killer" [counter blow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-
counter) while the boxer seeking his "very" moment.

> **_"Not yet... 'The 'limit' is... Unleashing the "killer/best" shot to
> follow up is much deeper... For the first time, the deeper moment like
> this."_**
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-09-27T11:56:29.917
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answer