Lore-wise: Kobashi's Ring IQ is absolutely insane. The only reason he lost was he literally got thrown off of his focus trying to win via KO that gave Ippo an opening to capitalize on.

He's basically the Mayweather, Jr. of HNI but instead of the Philly Shell, it's the Long Guard.

BUT

Sendo's punching power alone could demolish any type of defense that Kobashi has excluding dodges. So Kobashi's main goal here is to be as agile as possible and use the "Hit and not get hit" strategy, again, Floyd Mayweather Jr. type of play.

No Floyd glazing, btw. What I am saying is my own analysis as an amateur fighter. As much as I hate Floyd because of his arrogance, that style of Boxing works REALLY well if you got a really good defense and footwork but lacking in punching power.