Love of Shooting Star is sending you
A flash of light, yeah!
With eternal dreams
Let's roll and go
Without thinking anything
I'm just living in the Now
What keeps me going is
A street song
I want to dive lost mind, I want to dive lost mind (I want to immerse myself in my dream till I can't think of anything else)
I want feeling, I want feeling, always (That's how I want to feel all the time)
I want to dive lost mind, I want to dive lost mind (I want to immerse myself in my dream till I can't think of anything else)
Why, why, why, why? I want to dive feeling over (I don't know why, but I want to keep feeling passionate)
Love of Shooting Star is sending you
A flash of light, yeah!
With eternal dreams
Let's roll and go
Not good. This is not good at all.
We seem to have completely fallen for Kobashi's strategy.
Kobashi's strategy?
Kobashi's style looks like he's running away...
but it is a shrewd strategy to confuse Ippo's pace...
and drain stamina out of him.
But there's no way Ippo's energy level goes down...
in only 2 rounds.
Only if this was an ordinary match.
But Kobashi had Ippo by the short hairs.
No matter how much stamina the kid has...
if he moves around at the opponent's pace...
the level of exhaustion will accumulate twice as fast.
The kid is the type of fighter who just goes straightforward.
When he has lost his stamina, it's easy for the opponent to dodge him.
That's perfect if someone's trying to win by points.
Damn it!
Good!
Hey, not again!
Come on!
Are you gonna box or what?!
I didn't come to see you guys hug each other!
Hey, exchange some punches!
Good. You're doing well. Don't worry about what others say.
So, they were aiming for winning by decision from the beginning.
I couldn't catch him again.
Good job. You won the second round just like the first round.
You are leading by 2 points now.
So I'm leading by points.
Good... good.
What high concentration.
It's highly risky to go for points...
while dodging Makunouchi's powerful punches.
He must be under extreme pressure.
Two more rounds to go.
I'm sure you're exhausted, but just hang in there.
I know.
But Makunouchi-kun is more exhausted than I am.
He must have used up his stamina by now.
For the remaining rounds, I'll just stick to "safe driving"...
and pull away till the end.
If I can do that...
Ippo, how's your exhaustion level?
I'm all right.
If I connect just once...
I won't even feel tired at all.
Way to go.
Kobashi's tired, too. Keep punching aggressively head-on.
But his guard is solid...
The "Cross Block" that Kobashi is using is a solid block...
which could absorb even heavyweight level punches.
You can't do much damage with straightforward tactics.
Look for a little space in the block...
and whale in from both up and down directions.
In particular, aim for his body.
Throw a punch higher to distract him and cut in deep from the bottom.
Yes, sir!
Seconds out.
Do you think that was enough instruction?
If Ippo is so exhausted, don't you want to let him rest in this round?
No. This is a 4-round match.
We have only two more rounds... six minutes, left.
Even though it's obvious that he'll exhaust more stamina...
the kid has to keep punching aggressively.
The more we give Kobashi a chance to relax...
the worse the situation will get for the kid.
We're counting on you, Ippo. Catch him in this round!
Round Three.
- Box! - Go, Makunouchi!
Annihilate such a wimp!
If you don't exchange punches, we don't call it boxing!
From Ippo's point of view, Kobashi is taking an oblique stance.
So, there aren't many spots where Ippo can aim at.
Besides, Kobashi's left hand is close to Ippo.
And that just might be an ideal pose to go for points.
The Cross-Block is certainly solid, but I can see a space.
I'll throw some punches higher and...
when the guard goes up...
from down here...
Right there!
He even read Ippo's combination pattern!
How extensively did he study Ippo?!
His punches are still strong...
but his speed of dashes and barrages is slowing down.
I should be able to deal with him until the end!
If I focus on dodging, I'll maintain the two-point lead...
and I will win!
It's not good. Ippo is not keeping up with him. He is way too tired.
His leg muscles were stiff.
Come on! How come you're looking run down?!
That's right. Didn't you learn anything at the training camp?
Rather... Kobashi's punches are working.
They don't have damaging power, but Ippo received way too many of them.
Exhaustion and damage are accumulating.
The third round is over!
He got us!
Even if they were even in this round, Kobashi is still leading by 2 points!
We can't win by points.
There's no choice but to knock him down.
Damn!
What kind of a corner man am I to get so deflated?!
The kid is the one fighting out there!
You seem to be extremely exhausted.
But if he gets clear away in the final round...
you're not gonna win by points.
Just as Kobashi has planned from the get-go.
That's not acceptable! I'm gonna do it!
I won't give up until the end!
Sure! I haven't given up, either!
Yagi-san! Give me the bucket!
Here.
What?
How's that? When you cool down your "thing"...
you can cool down your entire body. Don't you feel better now?
Yes. The burning sensation is gone.
See? But your "thing" is too big.
- I needed more ice. - Huh?
Now it's the final round.
Be extra careful and watch out for a devastating single punch.
Things have gone exactly as I have imagined so far.
It's almost scary. I'll just keep believing in my own boxing...
and stick to my tactics.
That's right. Just keep up the good work.
After three minutes, it'll be my hand that will be raised.
Uh... sure.
Seconds out.
Listen. The only way out left for you is a come-from-behind victory with a KO.
Go knock him down in the remaining 3 minutes!
Yes, sir!
I'm not gonna give up until the very last swing.
I'll keep guarding for 3 more minutes. Then I'll win!
We have no choice but to count on the kid's persistence.
Do your best, Kobashi.
Now, here I come!
Huh?
As expected, he'll concentrate on defense!
Kid, go!
I have to drag him into exchanging punches!
One-two?
An uppercut after dodging under a hook!
It's the combination he used in the match against Ozuma!
His punches are still strong. As planned originally...
I need to keep my distance from him and focus on defense.
I need to go in deep!
I'm NOT gonna let you in!
Ippo's allowing the distance too easily!
Good job. Victory is just around the corner.
The guy in the Blue Corner's doing a great job, but he's not gonna win.
It's gonna be decided by points.
What an amazing spirit!
He's still forceful, though he should have run out of power by now.
However...
Your guard is WIDE OPEN!
What?
Not good!
Whoa! He threw a perfect one-two and it connected!
What... what was that?
What did I feel?
What?
Not good!
What... what was that?
What did I feel?
It's working.
I've never felt such a solid response...
even in a sparring session.
Now must be the chance.
No. I should stick to my plan.
I'm already winning by points. I'll stick to my plan.
It IS working.
Can't you support your punch with your hip a little better?
With the way you're punching, you'll never get a KO.
KO?
NOW could be the chance.
Now's the chance! I can knock him down!
A little more... till I score a KO!
Fall down! Fall down! Fall down!
Kobashi...
FALL DOWN!
I did it! He's gonna fall!
His body. Wide open!
Whoa! He struck back!
He still had power left?
I connected...
for the first time... it was a clean hit.
Ippo is still suffering from the damage from the earlier one-two punch.
I wonder how much longer he's gonna last.
What shall I do? Should I wait for the victory by points?
But I'm so close.
Kobashi.
I'm so close.
I'm SO CLOSE to winning with a KO.
Don't do it, Kobashi! Keep away from him!
Don't exchange punches with Makunouchi! Kobashi!
Kobashi!
My right hand can still feel it.
That solid response when I connected perfectly!
I'm so close to nailing him down.
I'm gonna win with a KO! With a KO!
As long as my body lasts, I'll keep punching!
Good job, Kobashi! Go for it!
GO! Go! Both of you!
Kobashi.
Kid! Exchanging punches is YOUR cup of tea!
It's your chance now! Go all the way!
I'm gonna win with a KO!
Ugh... I can't let him keep up with this.
Use your fist, Ippo!
You're not gonna win unless YOU knock him down!
Hey, haven't we seen a similar situation before?
What? Ah! You mean "Operation Turtle!"
It's the same scenario as the second time he sparred with Miyata.
At that time, he also waited out until Miyata's barrage of punches stopped.
Then he's aiming for a single chance?
The chance will come.
There will be a flash of unguarded moment!
I'll win with a KO!
It's unbelievable that Kobashi is showing fighting spirit so aggressively.
Go, Kobashi! Give him the fatal blow!
One more punch! It’ll be over with one more blow!
How do you like THIS?
A big swing!
It's a down! He reversed it with a KO!
- I did it. - Down!
- He did it! - He sure did!
Kobashi.
Not yet! Stand up, Kobashi! If you get up, you'll win!
Remaining Time
One...
There is 13 seconds left.
If he gets up, it'll go to decision.
If it goes to decision, the kid's gonna lose.
Two...
Three...
Stand up, Kobashi! Stand up!
You gave up on your style of boxing and exchanged punches so courageously!
You have to win! Get up to win!
Don't get up. Don't get up.
Four...
Five!
Six!
I'm gonna knock him down...
so I can win.
I'm gonna get up... so I can win.
Seven!
Hang in there, Kobashi! A little longer!
I'm gonna knock him down so I can win...
Eight!
I'll win with a KO!
Whoa! He got up!
What a fighting spirit!
Kobashi...
What the...?
I'm gonna win...
with a KO...
The winner... Makunouchi!
Finally, the winner is decided!
Great job, Makunouchi!
You did a good job, too, Kobashi!
As I expected, Kobashi couldn't get up.
Ko... Kobashi!
You did it, Ippo!
YOU put me on pins and needles!
I'm so sorry.
Remaining Time
I had only two seconds left.
Indeed, boxing is absolutely unpredictable until the last second.
Kobashi-san.
Great fight, Kobashi!
Keep up the good work!
Awesome, Makunouchi!
You're so strong!
KO Time 4th Round 2 minutes 58 seconds Ippo Makunouchi Eastern Japan Rookie Championship Tournament
Second round a narrow victory
Yasuda-san.
What's wrong? Where does it hurt?
I was so dumb, wasn't I?
If I had stuck to my original plan...
I might have been able to win.
I knew better!
I knew all too well that I had no chance of winning...
if I exchanged punches with him head-on.
Because such a perfect one connected...
I daydreamed for a little while.
Daydreamed, huh?
That one-two punch in the final round was certainly impressive.
Yasuda-san...
Fine, isn't it? If it's a wonderful dream...
let's have it over and over again.
Yasuda-san...
I look forward to the daydream becoming the reality.
I'll do my best.
Takamura-san, I won.
Now it's MY turn.
Y... Yes!
You knucklehead! You received way too many punches!
Such a lame boxer is not qualified to watch my match!
Stay down in this room!
Please let me watch it!
I said no! Watching it on the monitor is more than enough for you!
But...
Uh... huh?
See? Didn't I tell you?
Don't worry. We'll watch his match closely.
So you can die with peace of mind!
That's not nice!
Yajima! Yajima!
Now it's about to begin.
By the way, the Champion has a large crowd cheering for him.
WE need to cheer for Big Guy loud enough, too.
Of course!
Man! They're too noisy!
What's wrong? You're irritated? It's not like you.
Are you nervous or what?
Why should I be?!
Don't look at it so longingly.
I'll get it for you soon enough.
Uh, sure...
Remaining Time Seconds out!
Until I met the old man...
I had never even dreamed of becoming a boxing champion.
I've owed so much to the old man since then!
Now, the Japan Middleweight Class Title Match.
The fan club of the Champion Yajima is cheering so loud... I can't believe I don't get to see the match...
The fan club of the Champion Yajima is cheering so loud... in which Takamura-san is going to become a champion.
It echoes in the hall. In which Takamura-san is going to become a champion.
The bell is about to ring.
I wanna see it.
Now, it has begun!
Wow! The challenger went forward very aggressively as soon as the bell rang!
Takamura's surprise attack caught the champion off guard and he's helpless!
He's already stuck against the rope.
Whoa! The champion's knees are shaky!
I really have to see it in person!
What? It's already over?
How is it going?
Whoa! The champion's spectacular counterpunch!
The invincible challenger's knee has finally touched the floor!
In the 9th pro match, it's the first, humiliating down!
Do you understand now, YOUNG MAN? The champion is a boxer of higher caliber!
I can't believe Takamura-san allowed a down.
One! Two!
Usually a feint'll never trick you! You ARE under a lot of pressure!
The countdown keeps going. Can Takamura stand up?
Four!
Yajima! Yajima!
Damn it!
No! I don't want you to lose!
Yajima! Yajima! Yajima!
Stand up, Takamura-san!
I don't want you to lose!
Lose? Did you say I lose...?!
Please stand up, Takamura-san!
If you don't become a champion...
we're not gonna have any dreams or hopes!
Hooray! Hooray! Takamura!
Don't lose, don't lose, Takamura!
That's right! We've come to see your spectacular KO!
Get up, Takamura!
Takamura! Takamura! Takamura!
Hey, what's that frantic cheering for?
Seven!
Do you guys even think I might lose?
You idiots!
He stood up!
Takamura-san!
Reflecting on Today
That's coming to an end
I try to search for what I can do
I might have thought too hard
If I can tell myself, "I'll be fine"
That would be the first step
A paper plane is flying away
Hopefully it will make it to Tomorrow
Forever, forever, forever, forever
I'll keep believing
That's why, forever, forever, forever, forever
It will keep flying
Intuitive sense for boxing. It's a natural talent as a boxer.
Exceptional power. Brilliant footwork.
Technique to dodge by a thin hair.
You take control of the pace and punch your opponent.
But that's not all you need to win in this world!
What supports the strength of strong boxers is, in most part...
an amazing amount of down-to-earth and relentless efforts!
The next round, "The Threat of a Shotgun."