Before we conclude, let's have a few words from the fighters.
Let's start with Date Eiji, the challenger.
First, I'd like to say thank you to Ricardo
because he brought the belt all the way here from Mexico.
And now, Ricardo Martinez, the champion.
You'd better not expect anything from him.
Now, please shake hands.
Sh-Shake hands, please?
U-Um...
Hey...
That was the rather intense press conference of the two fighters.
We can expect that the fight three days from now will be a heated one.
Th-That was such a breathtaking press conference.
My heart would have stopped beating if I were there.
Hello, this is Makunouchi.
It's me.
Takamura-san?
Tomorrow, we'll do roadwork together.
We're starting early so don't be late.
It's rare that he invites me to do roadwork.
Why did we come to a place so far away?
We could do the roadwork by the river.
Shut up.
It's about time.
For what?
Date-san!
What are you doing here?
It's out of your way for your roadwork.
This is his usual course.
Hey man, been awhile.
We're gonna come along.
Whatever.
I-I saw the press conference.
It even made me nervous.
You're such a performer.
I was nervous too.
I had to act a little to hide my emotions.
He's the only man who's beaten you.
I bet you wanted to punch him.
He wouldn't!
He's not like you!
Actually, I almost punched him.
I went as far as making a fist.
Did you really?
I had so much on my mind.
But...
I meant what I said.
I'm really grateful to Ricardo.
It was so cool.
Not everyone can express their gratitude to someone bringing the world champion belt.
No, that's not it.
What I'm truly grateful for is...
those seven years...
Seven years...
It's been that long since he last fought Ricardo.
Yes, for seven years...
For a whole seven years, he was at the top of the world.
He remained my goal, and is now stronger than the time I fought him.
The reason I retired, the reason I came back, and the reason I'm living as a boxer:
it's all because of him.
All those reasons?
Yes.
Without having Ricardo Martinez as my goal, I couldn't have come back this far.
It's great that he stayed a champion for seven years.
I'm truly grateful for it.
I think I see why Date-san is so intent on the WBA and Ricardo Martinez.
I-I know you're tired of this question, but do you have any chance of winning?
I wouldn't try if there wasn't.
He didn't even hesitate! So compelling!
But, I have no plan for winning.
You don't?
Left and right blows, hooks and upper cuts, defense and instincts;
he has everything well-balanced and highly polished.
Th-Then how can you...
Idiot!
When you get way up there, it's not matter of how.
Ricardo is strong.
So you just gotta be stronger than him to win.
That's simple, but it's fitting of your character.
What?!
But you're right.
Over time, he has grown to be a monstrous champion.
But I'm not the same as before either.
You'll see who'll be wearing that belt after the match.
Date-san...
Date-san was watching the champion's back like this for the last seven years.
Even when the image became unclear during those seven years,
he never lost sight of it, kept at it, and finally caught up.
He's so amazing.
Such an amazing guy.
I too...
I'll keep following Date-san too.
And some day...
Date-san!
Please win!
Please, please! Please become the champion!
Don't scream so suddenly!
Ouch!
You idiot! You idiot!
Ouch!
You idiot!
Please leave the lights off.
Just like this.
Tomorrow is finally the day.
Bring Yuuji up to the ring after the match.
He'll be so excited.
He'll be lifted up by his father, the new champion, while thousands of people are watching.
Since this is what you wanted more than anything,
all we can do is watch you.
But please let me say one thing:
please come back safely.
It's the same thing you told me seven years ago.
Then, you said...
that I never came back ever since I left for Mexico.
Ricardo Martinez destroyed my confidence and dignity seven years ago.
You'd fallen ill when I returned,
and our child was never born.
He took everything from me.
He's like a devil to me.
But on the other hand, he's also like a god who gave me a soul when I had nothing.
I'll be fighting a man who's both a devil and a god to me.
Fear, anticipation, hope, and chaos are all running wild inside of me.
I guess that only made you worry more.
But...
it's strange...
This has never happened since that match.
Before each match, this always started giving me pain...
But not this time.
It's a sign
that I'm finally getting everything back.
Just a little more.
I almost have all of myself back.
And the only way to that is...
to win against Ricardo Martinez!
I will win,
so I can be myself again!
It's gonna be a hell of a crowd.
It's a match between a historic figure and the Japanese champion,
so no boxing fan would dare miss it.
Where did Ippo go?
Did he get lost in the crowd?
What a pain.
It truly feels real now, after seeing the crowd and this poster,
that Date-san is fighting for the world title.
Please win, Date-san!
I'm so nervous; my heart's pounding so fast.
Why are you so nervous?
Anyway, this is a large venue.
It has a capacity of 11,000 spectators.
It's almost three times as big as Korakuen Hall.
Amazing...
Date-san is fighting in such a big place.
We have to take our shoes off?
Yeah, these are traditional-style box seats.
We don't get many chances to watch boxing matches while sitting back and relaxing.
We have a while before the main event,
so enjoy videos of the two fighters' past matches on the overhead screens.
WBA world featherweight class champion, Ricardo Martinez.
After becoming the champion at age 21, this was his second title-defense match.
This is when they faced each other for the first time.
That's Date!
He looks so young without the beard!
What was that match like?
Date-san's first time challenging him...
The first match ended in the second round, 1 minute and 12 seconds in.
The challenger left the ring in Mexico after seeing the overwhelming power of the champion.
Oh man... That was so one-sided.
The match hasn't started...
But how is he gonna win against that monster?
He's a real monster...
The whole place got quiet instead of excited.
B-But I'm sure they'll get fired up when they see Date-san's videos!
The challenger once announced his retirement,
Hey!
but he quickly became the Japan champion after he made his come back.
Man, Date's punches are pretty hot too!
That match was so sweet!
After rapidly rising back to the position of champion, he faced his toughest challenger: Makunouchi Ippo.
This makes me think he can do it.
S-See?
They're liking it.
It's not exactly the best video of you.
Ricardo has the record of staying on top of the world for seven years.
We can't deny the old man is at a disadvantage.
B-But...
Yes, but!
Even though that old man got beaten up badly, he came back.
The man who stayed on top against the man who came back from the bottom.
Who's truly the strongest? Let's find out.
Hey, Ippo?
What's he up to? Gotta take a leak?
Date-san!
It's Makunouchi.
Yeah, the Japanese champ.
Here to give encouragement to Date?
Yes!
Please let me through.
Date-san's...
U-Um, hello.
Thank you for coming, Makunouchi-san.
Daddy...
Daddy's going to become the world champion today.
Yuuji-kun, right?
Don't worry.
Your dad is really strong,
so he'll definitely become the world champion today!
Yeah!
D-Date-san!
Please... um...
Makunouchi,
I'll be waiting...
at the top of the world.
This scene...
I'll never forget.
I'll never let him out of my sight.
I'll keep following him, and some day, I will...
So please win!
Please stay as my goal forever,
Date-san!
That took a long time.
Were you doing something else too?
How did he look?
He looked confident.
Looked like he's in good condition!
I see.
Fine, I'll cheer for him then!
I'm getting pumped!
Please do it, Date-san!
Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen.
The fighters are about to make their entrance!
Date Eiji is making his entrance from the blue corner.
He's back in the world title match after seven years!
He once retired, then came back all the way from the bottom!
He's taking his steps toward glory once again!
Date Eiji steps into the ring with many mixed emotions in him!
And now, from the red corner, comes the WBA world featherweight champion,
Ricardo Martinez!
He's an active fighter and already a legend; still alive but already mythological.
He's been the champion for seven years and ten months.
He has defended the title 17 times.
He will no doubt be remembered forever by boxing fans!
Here comes the super-champ from Mexico.
Ricardo Martinez takes his first step into the ring in Japan!
I'm getting nervous!
My heart's pounding fast like Ippo's!
I-I might not last much longer!
My heart's about to burst!
I wonder how Date-san is feeling in the ring?
Look how calm his eyes are.
I'm sure all the thoughts from the past seven years are running through his head.
Eiji, you're a great man.
You're my pride and joy.
Seven years...
I don't care how long or how short that was anymore.
The answer to everything will be found in this ring today.
I believed that for the past seven years.
And I'm about to see that answer.
Thank you for waiting, ladies and gentlemen.
We are about to commence the WBA World Featherweight Class Title Match.
In the red corner, at 125 1/2 lb,
from Mexico...
the WBA world featherweight class champion,
RICARDO MARTINEZ!
In the blue corner, at 125 3/5 lb,
from Nakadai Gym...
first place in the WBA world featherweight class,
DATE EIJI!
The fighters retreat back to their corners.
Will the champion's era continue?
Or will the challenger usher in a new age?
The gong is about to ring!
I have no advice to give you at this point.
Just use your skill and experience against him.
Hopefully, you can show the greatness of boxing to the fans.
Remember, watch how he comes out at first.
Don't rush things until you catch his timing and rhythm.
Yeah.
But I need to give him a "hello"...
A big hello to celebrate our reunion after seven years.
It's about to begin...
And here we go!
The WBA World Featherweight Title Match.
Two veterans make contact with their gloves, then take some distance.
Who will leave his name in the history books after today?
They're gauging each other's initial moves.
The challenger makes his move!
A left!
And another left!
It connected after deflecting off the champion's glove!
The opening hit goes to the challenger's left blow!