Thank you!
I am bad for tough boss battles, aren't I? Must be my NES blood boiling inside me... XD
When I beat it, I threw every knife I had at it to keep my distance. I know there is also a secret weapon in the 1st stage (check some odd-looking walls) that can be used to make this battle ridiculously easy...
At least with game overs, all you have to do is spend 500 points and you can pick up where you left off.