Bald Bull

Bald Bull is a recurring character in the Punch-Out!! series, and is typically always one of the strongest boxers Little Mac battles as he competes for championship of the WVBA. One of the most iconic characters in the series, he is known for his brutal, fast attacks and towering over most other foes Little Mac faces, especially compared to the previous opponents faced in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!. The Wii version of Punch-Out!! would develop him further, being angry, always yelling, and will punch himself in the face or slam his head on one of the poles on the ring, implying he's a masochist.
Nicknamed "The Reckless Bald Bull", he is most iconic for his signature attack, the Bull Charge, which has become one of if not the most iconic attacks in the series. He steps back to the end of the ring and charges at Little Mac to throw an uppercut that will knock him down immediately if he is hit by it. If he dodges the attack, he will keep charging at Little Mac until he hits him. However, a well-timed body blow just as he rushes at Mac will knock him down instantly instead.
During between-round intermissions in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! and the Wii version of Punch-Out!!, Bald Bull makes remarks to Doc Louis, Little Mac's trainer. Likewise, sometimes Doc Louis will make jokes at Bald Bull's expense when talking to Mac. This implies they know each other, and may even have a rivalry, likely stemming back to before Doc Louis retired from boxing.
==History==
===Punch-Out!! (Arcade)===
Bald Bull made his debut in the arcade version of Punch-Out!!, appearing as the third opponent. Compared to the previous two fighters, he attacks a lot faster and hits harder. He will also use the aforementioned Bull Charge, which can instantly knock down Little Mac if he fails to avoid the uppercut. Bald Bull's defense is also impressive, as he will dodge and block more punches than the other opponents. As such, it's nearly impossible to knock out Bald Bull within the time limit without countering the Bull Charge.
===Arm Wrestling===
Bald Bull makes a cameo appearance in Arm Wrestling, appearing as the third opponent. However, he wears a red mask over his head, calling himself Mask X. In order to defeat him, the player must remove his mask, stunning him and allowing the player to slam his arm down. Despite it being against the rules of arm wrestling, Mask X will actually use a variation of the Bull Charge, leaning backward to try and headbutt the player, which stuns them. If this happens five times in a single match, the player will instantly lose.
===Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!===
Bald Bull reappears in the Punch-Out!! series in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!. Being champion of the Major Circuit, he serves as a difficulty spike compared to the previous opponents, and is the most well-rounded of the challengers Little Mac faces. His main attacks consist of "rolling jabs", where he rolls his hands before throwing a quick punch, a hook, and an uppercut, all of which are fast and deal a lot of damage. Bald Bull is also stunned for less time if Little Mac does manage to get a hit in. His Bull Charge ability also returns, and this time it must be countered, as he will continue using it until either he or Little Mac is knocked down.
Bald Bull is battled again later in the game, being ranked #3 in the World Circuit. Aside from a faster attack pattern, his moves aren't different from the first battle. However, Bald Bull will not be knocked down with normal punches: if his health fully is depleted, some of it will quickly regenerate. The only way to knock down Bald Bull is with a Star Punch or by countering the Bull Charge. This makes the battle a lot more difficult, though he does have a taunt where he moves his arms up and down, giving Mac a free star if he punches him during it.
===Super Punch-Out!! (SNES)===
Bald Bull returns in the SNES version of Super Punch-Out!!. He is noticeably less difficult than his previous appearances, now only being champion of the Minor Circuit and one of the first opponents battled. A lot of his attacks are the same, though they are slower and easy to counter. Bald Bull also won't block and dodge attacks as much. He still uses the Bull Charge, though he won't keep using it if Little Mac dodges, and it is much easier to counter.
===Punch-Out!! (Wii)===
Bald Bull appears in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!, ranked #2 in the World Circuit. In this game, he is mostly restored to his difficulty in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, now using quick jabs, hooks, and uppercuts. The Bull Charge has been changed slightly: he will now step back to the end of the ring and glow red with anger, and start running in place. He will delay the charge for a random amount of time, before he runs forward and throws the uppercut. He will exhale steam out of his nose, which indicates when he will start running forward. Countering it is still an instant knockdown, though if dodged, he will continue using it.
Bald Bull is also rematched in Title Defense mode, where Little Mac must defend his championship from all the previous challengers. His battle is very similar to his rematch in Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, where he can't be knocked down with anything but a Star Punch. A normal punch will knock him down, but he will regain his balance and laugh, replenishing his health. Countering the Bull Charge also no longer knocks him down, but it does grant a star. In his Title Defense intro, it is shown that he learned the ability to get up from being knocked down by battling with real bulls back in Turkey.
===Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U===
Bald Bull appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U as a Trophy, unlocked at random or by purchasing it at the Trophy Shop.
:NTSC: "This 36-year-old Turkish boxer is in the prime of his career. He often tries to intimidate his opponent before a match even starts. He'll snort through his nose before charging his foe, a move called the Bull Charge. If he lands this blow, you can be sure Little Mac will hit the mat."
:PAL: "A 36-year-old Turkish boxer in the prime of his career. His name hints at his bullish nature. In the match itself, you'll see him snort through his nostrils before using his special move, the Bull Charge. Little Mac's going to need to keep all his wits about him to avoid being bowled over by that one."
===Super Smash Bros. Ultimate===
Bald Bull appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a Spirit. He is an Advanced-class (★★) Support Spirit that decreases attack power but increases defense when equipped, and takes one slot on the Primary Spirit. The Spirit battle is a Stamina battle against Little Mac, who is giant and has super armor, but moves slower.
The Bald Bull Spirit uses his artwork from the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
==Appearances==
===Super Smash Bros. Charged===
Bald Bull appears as an Assist Trophy in Super Smash Bros. Charged. When summoned, he will run in place and glow red just as he does in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!, and after some time, he will perform the Bull Charge, which does massive damage and knockback, KOing opponents extremely early. He also uses it to counter an opponent if he is attacked while charging. Bald Bull will repeat this a few more times before disappearing.
Bald Bull is also represented as two Trophies and Spirits, one representing his normal appearance and one representing his appearance in Title Defense in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!.
His normal Spirit is a Novice-class Spirit that increases the damage and knockback of the user's dash attack by 10% when equipped. The Spirit battle is a Stamina battle with Mr. Sandman, who often uses his dash attack. Bald Bull himself will also constantly spawn.
His Title Defense Spirit is a Legendary-class Spirit that will make the user gradually replenish 4% every eight seconds when equipped. The Spirit battle is also a Stamina battle against Mr. Sandman, who will gradually heal, has increased attack power, and will use his dash attack often.
==Gallery==
Bald Bull.png|Bald Bull in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!
Bald Bull Title Defense.png|Bald Bull in the Wii version of Punch-Out!!
Category:Punch-Out!! Characters
Category:Punch-Out Characters
Category:Boxers
Category:Males
Category:Humans