Japanese Featherweight Champion Makunouchi Ippo Ranked #3 Sawamura Ryuuhei
Tomorrow's already the weigh-in.
Senpai's just been practicing the basics...
It's almost fight day,
and he's barely done any sparring.
This whole fight is just bumming me out.
I've got a bad feeling about it.
Now, boys, you shouldn't be ditching practice.
Dr. Yamaguchi?
Wh-Who's the sexy lady?
A massage therapist.
So this is Ippo-kun's next opponent?
He looks tough.
So, where is Ippo-kun?
The coach asked me to come take a look at him.
Uh, he should be inside...
What are you doing out here? I need you to examine him now!
Right now?
Did Senpai injure himself?
That fool...
He's been overtraining and didn't tell me.
Well?
For starters,
I can't believe how much muscle he's put on since I last saw him.
You're amazing to have brought him this far.
He did succeed in bulking up, but...
He's really been overdoing it.
His knees and lower back are particularly inflamed.
The root cause seems to be a lot of
extreme stop-and-go twisting motions.
I'm not sure what kind of training he's been doing,
but he can't put any more stress on these muscles.
Knee and lower back damage can be
a fatal blow to any athlete's career.
C-Coach, what did Ippo...
What did he do to himself?
He took a big step forward.
He's evolved the Dempsey Roll.
I-I have you to thank, Coach.
If I hadn't followed your advice,
I never could've thrown that punch.
This wasn't exactly my intention,
but now you've got a weapon that should scare the hell out of Sawamura.
Really?
That's awesome!
I can't agree with that.
Look at the price he's paid.
It's much too dangerous!
Too dangerous...
If the specialist is that convinced...
I guess it's just too much.
I know it's too much,
but we already know what'll happen if I don't do this!
I know your personality well enough to know
that you won't listen to me.
Fine.
If you must use it, then two times.
That is the limit.
Go beyond that limit,
and I guarantee it will shorten your life as a boxer.
There is no need to
sacrifice what should be a long career for this one match!
Okay.
Two times.
But if it's not enough...
What happens then?
The Face of Determination
My senses are sharper than ever after dieting down.
You must be beat from having to cut weight!
We've been waiting for this moment.
We're gonna crush you and your chance at the title!
Cat got your tongue?
Or does seeing a knife scare you speechless?
Don't try to bluff me!
Ryuuhei's bike... What's this doing here?
So thirsty...
I'm parched...
More.
Let me drink more.
Stop this, Ryuuhei!
Kawabe-sensei!
That's right, I came here to see you.
I brought you a ticket to the fight.
I'm gonna be the best in Japan, and I owe it all to you.
Best in Japan, me!
You'll come watch, right?
Thanks a million for stopping me.
I was a second away from gorging myself on these punks.
I can't wait to taste the finest meat in Japan.
Maybe I was wrong after all.
I introduced Ryuuhei to boxing after years of isolation left him twisted,
because I thought it might save him...
Has it really only served to feed his madness?
The weigh-in should be done soon.
I bet Makunouchi-san will be hungry.
Why did you have to come, too?!
Because you and Makunouchi were talking on the phone late last night.
Oh, come on...
Meeting a woman the day before a fight... he's pathetic.
This Sawamura guy he's fighting looks nasty, too.
Maybe those brass balls of his are shrinking.
Sh-Shrinking?
Don't you dare think about Makunouchi's balls!
What are you talking about, you jerk?!
Weigh-in Room
H-Hey...
Wh-What are they...
This pre-fight handshake's going on kinda long...
It's Sawamura who's not letting go.
He's setting a dangerous mood.
What's he trying to pull?
L-Let go of me, please.
It's rugged and tough.
I thought prime grade meat would be more tender...
I'm so hungry, I can't stand it.
We've got an audience, so why don't we start right now?
What are you saying?
The fight is tomorrow!
I'm saying I can't wait that long.
Sawamura!
Don't get worked up, kid.
Why are you in such a rush? It's so close already!
Tomorrow night when the bell rings, we'll fight fair and square,
in the ring, where there are rules!
Makunouchi looks so...
I've never seen him so tense.
Tomorrow's fight is gonna be wild.
Calm down!
He was already itching for a fight.
Or maybe he's just trying to pressure us?
I wonder.
Kid, you can go now.
Don't you have a date or something?
You can't focus on the match when you're all riled up.
Go cool off.
You're meeting her outside, right?
Um, well...
Sorry! I'll see you later!
He's been focused solely on training for so long.
This will do him good.
Excuse me!
You're Makunouchi-san, right?
Uh, yes, that's me...
Please, do your best tomorrow!
Oh... Thank you.
Please...
defeat Sawamura!
I feel so bad for him.
No one can reach him anymore,
and it's all because I got him into boxing.
Are you close to Sawamura-san?
Yes, I am.
It doesn't really matter whether I hear you out or not.
I'm going to do my best to knock him out.
I see.
Well, that's plenty.
Please.
Please, teach him there are people out there who are stronger than him!
I'm not sure what the deal is, but I'll do my best.
I've gotta go.
What the hell?
I thought you were my one and only ally in the world.
Kumi-san!
Makunouchi-san!
You're late.
Why is your brother here?
He followed me.
Quit whispering.
Here, I made lunch.
I figured you'd be hungry after all that weight management.
Oh, thank you so much!
Let's go.
What the heck?
This was supposed to be my chance to unwind,
but the atmosphere's more stifling than ever.
My first time seeing
Makunouchi-san in ages, and it's all ruined.
Damn you, stupid brother.
Huh?
What?
What is it?!
Check this out.
I've been wanting one of these.
A motorcycle, you mean?
It's nice... maybe I'll take it for a spin.
Mashiba-san!
No! This belongs to someone else!
Bitch.
Get your hands off my bike!
Kumi-san!
Are you all right, Kumi-san?!
I'm fine. He just grazed me.
Just grazed?
He made a fist.
A boxer struck at a woman with a clenched fist...
Sawamura-san!
The next one won't miss.
The first one didn't miss.
I dodged it.
You're dead.
You want a piece of me?
Outta my way, Makunouchi!
He's mine.
I'll fight him tomorrow.
You said something about there being rules in the ring.
There is nothing within that little square.
No place to hide.
No one to come save you.
I'm gonna savor every bite of you.
You two, make sure to scream nice and loud in the stands.
It'll enhance the flavor.
C'mon, Kumi.
B-But...
Now.
Kumi-san, please go home and tend to your injury.
O-Okay.
At least take the lunch...
Thank you.
Kumi-san...
Yes?
W-Will you come to my fight tomorrow?
I'll give everything I have.
Everything you have's not good enough.
You'd better tear that bastard to shreds.
I don't know if I'd go that far, but I'll...
Twice is the limit.
Please come!
It'll really encourage me if you're there.
All right, I promise.
Why the long face?
Umezawa-kun...
Hup!
C'mon, do like you always do and get all defiant!
Yeah...
You've fought all kinds of really strong guys.
Yeah.
So why're you so down?
Tough or not,
it's not like he's as good as Date-san or Sendou, right?
In some ways, he might be stronger.
He's so unpredictable.
Unpredictable?
Yes.
Boxing is fighting at its core,
but there are rules, and the point is to give your all while obeying them.
If you ignore the rules, it's nothing but violence.
Sawamura-san has no qualms about stepping over that line.
Wh-Whoa, now...
It infuriates me.
He's so talented!
His jabs and straights are incredible,
and no normal person can throw counters like his!
Hey, calm down...
Sawamura-san's a great fighter
who could definitely be a champion someday.
But I can't stand to think about him
ignoring the rules like that!
So, as long as I'm the champion...
You wanna crush him personally, huh?
It's not about crushing anyone.
It's just, there's no need to commit fouls when you're that good.
I've never seen him so openly emotional before...
I guess he really can't stand this guy
disgracing the sport he loves so much.
Sawamura-san is the real deal.
If there's any way I can stop him,
any chance for success...
Go beyond that limit,
and I guarantee it will shorten your life as a boxer.
I can't be bothered with limits!
I'll use it multiple times, dozens of times, until I win!
Even if it means this is my last fight,
I refuse to let that man have my belt!
Hey! Long time no see.
I knew you'd show up.
No way you'd miss this, knowing Makunouchi's opponent
is a master counter-puncher.
The hell are you ignoring me for?!
Wait up! Miyata, you son of a—
What're you boys fighting about?
Let's all try to get along.
Then again, I don't blame you for being on edge.
This Sawamura kid looks pretty dangerous.
He'll probably give Makunouchi a rough time.
I just hope that's all he gives him.
Very true.
Wow, so pessimistic.
You know how to take down the Dempsey Roll, right?
Yes, I do.
Sawamura's gonna do exactly what you're imagining.
Everyone in the hall's gonna be floored.
I see... I never thought I'd see you two so serious.
No matter who wins the fight, someone's not walking out in one piece.
H-Hey, Ippo.
Umezawa-kun!
I came to try and help you relax,
but being in here is making me nervous.
So, get this. Volg taught me a Russian good-luck phrase.
Volg-san did?
The semifinal's over.
It's time.
Let's head up, kid!
Right!
Hey, wait, I gotta say it!
Make sure to say your part!
Okay.
Udachi tebe synok (I pray for your success, my son).
Spasibo, mat' (Thank you, mother).
All right! Go, Ippo!
Well, Volg, I told him.
Please lend Ippo your power!
Thank you, Umezawa-kun, Volg-san.
I'm ready now.
Room A
Sawamura! C'mon, Sawamura!
It's time for the fight.
Aren't you gonna warm up?
I heard the father abused them, and the son snapped and stabbed him.
They said he was trying to protect his mother.
Hey, Mom, beef...
...is tough on the outside, but soft on the inside, huh?
He still believes his mother's going to come take him home.
She's long gone...
I remember it well.
It was delicious... I want to stuff myself with it again.
Give me a good meal, Makunouchi.
Champion meat, prime grade meat!
Hey, check it out.
There're some big names up in the box seats!
World champ Takamura's his gymmate, so he's no surprise, but look over there!
Two ex-Japanese champs, Sendou Takeshi and Date Eiji!
The OPBF champion, Miyata Ichirou!
And there, the Junior Lightweight champion, Mashiba Ryou!
This fight's drawing serious attention!
You can feel how worked up everyone is!
Ryuuhei...
It's finally time.
Make it happen, Makunouchi.
We now present the Japanese Featherweight title match!
Fearless Challenger