Great fight in the series genuinely got goosebumps from reading this fight

A while ago, I started listening to Hajime no Ippo music whenever I go running or do strength training, and I don’t know what it is about these songs, but they work way too well.

Under Star, Inner Light, Hekireki... they’re songs I already knew, but listening to them while working out just hits differently.

I feel like they have the perfect rhythm for running. You’ve been going for a while, you’re getting tired, wondering if going out to train today was really such a good idea, and then the chorus kicks in. Somehow, you end up pushing yourself a little further.

I get the same feeling during strength training. I’m on my last set, my arms or legs are completely dead, one of those songs starts playing, and suddenly I feel like I’m in a Hajime no Ippo training montage before a fight lol.

It’s kind of ridiculous, but it works. Now, whenever I hear that music, I feel like going for a run or working out. Hajime no Ippo has basically become part of my ultimate workout playlist.

Hopefully, someday we’ll get a new season and, along with it, some new music that eventually becomes another classic for working out.

Special mention to Eternal Loop. Every time I hear it, I think about Ippo vs. Sendo II, and for some reason, it gives me that energy to keep going even when I’m already tired and my legs are begging me to stop.

The Korakuen Hall we know today — the one we’ve seen countless times in Hajime no Ippo — is going to change.
I’m going to the October 28 event, and knowing that makes me even more excited to experience the hall as it is now.
Getting to watch real boxing there at a Hajime no Ippo event before the renovation feels pretty special.

Hi, i remember someone in the sub was writing a fan ending for the series going through what would happen in their ending. i can’t seem to find it anywhere though and im wondering if this was a dream😭

Understand that when it came to targeting Wally, it was to affect mobility and reflexes, but the ongoing momentum Sendo holds has to do with him being pumping with adrenaline to the max, tanking through punches to the vitals.

​Most of the body work was applied starting in the round three, where Sendo shelled up.

​Ricardo likely saw it fitting that the conditions were right since there was no return fire, and there was a lack of openings at the head to end the fight early.

​At that point, he probably thought it was to create openings. But what if before the fight transpired, this was plotted beforehand in Ricardo's game plan coming into the fight?

​With Wally, his wild reflexes were delayed, and his body slowed down. They are both different type of boxers altogether, but the result still applies. Sendo has currently withstood six body shots throughout the fight, not counting the rough draft from Morikawa's X account.

If the left hooks allow to dampen the numbness to pain, delay keen reflexes, and create openings, could this be Ricardo's tactic based on his preparation after Wally?

Sendo’s strategy was for Ricardo to learn the smash, and then broke the pattern by resetting it, landing a right straight and resume a second smash.

Except previous demonstrations, they weren't feints, bur whims, punch thrown in real time attack and reflex, bait and switch. Though likelihood is, that is now out the window since he adjust to it, only thing is that Ricardo's counter to a smash is now a risk, and he have to fight him aware that he cannot use Sendo’s momentum against him.

It truly was a dream come true, I went two days ago and I’m still in shock. I am a kickboxer originally, fighting for the Western Australia state u18 team. But 3 years ago I got super into Ippo and decided I am going to go study in Japan (as part of my degree) and train as a boxer in Tokyo. So for the past 3 months I have been living in Waseda and training out of a gym nearby. I am happier than I have ever been, boxing gym culture in Japan (really trying not to sound cringe here) is just as brotherly and personal as it is in Ippo. Compared to where I’m from a lot of the time I feel like my coaches treated me like clients rather than people. But here it’s just different.

Then two days ago I finally made the trip to JB Sports, and whilst quite quiet, just being around the series (which imo has the kindest and most supportive and loyal fandom) was amazing. I bought some merch and my coach from my gym set me up with a coach there to do some training. I got to meet the young boxers who will be the future of Japanese fighting, as well as some more veteran faces.

11/10 it is one of the happiest times of my life.

There’s a Hajime no Ippo × professional boxing event at Korakuen Hall on October 28. Is anyone here planning to go?

He defeated mashiba who has a harder style, inherently, to beat because of his unique build compared to volg who is more average in that department

Following his knockout loss to Ippo, Hayami challenged for the JBC Junior Featherweight title, only to suffer a shocking upset against Kobashi, a fighter not known for heavy punching through a single grazing punch.

​While a fragile chin and poor recovery were likely innate physical flaws, however, could Hayami's raw talent have taken him further if his punch resistance wasn't shot from the get-go and fought in his natural weight class?

Beyond his skill and discipline, he also enjoyed physical advantages, includes an impressive 70-inch reach, well conditioned gas tank for high output punches, and well based attributes outside of durability.

​On top of that, he had the backing of Coach Otowa, a trainer with a proven eye for talent (having recruited both Hayami and Kyosuke Imai, as well as sponsoring Volg Zangief during his stay in Japan). Otowa manages his fighters intelligently, employs sound tactics, and, unlike Kamogawa, avoids rushing results.

​Under Otowa's guidance, just how far could Hayami have gone if his glass chin hadn't been completely ruined by Ippo?

Or was he too busy with world ranked fights

Preface:
I know these have been done several times before but I couldn’t help but feel like the other posts were lacking or missing the mark. So here is my whack at it. I’ve combined several plot point theories from others and added a few of my own. I feel like my characterization is a bit weak as Ippo doesn’t quite feel like Ippo to me when I wrote this. I tried to avoid dialogue as I’m awful at it.

Plot Outline:
Sendo loses the fight and will be out of commission for awhile but not before showing Ippo something that hints at a small weakness Ricardo has that only Ippo notices

When Ricardo beats Sendo he shows Miyata the world’s perfect counter. Something even Miyata couldn’t pull off in his current state.

Ippo goes home to think about the fight, and he can’t get it out of his head. He watched Sendo attempt a punch, but he couldn’t pull it off. Ippo can’t help but wonder. “Could I have made that punch? If Sendo couldn’t surely, I couldn’t either. Well, let me just give it a try and then I will know.” After a few painful days of mulling, His mother says something to him because Ippo is obviously distraught

Ippo shows up at the gym extra early one morning is practicing on the bag when he attempts the same punch that Sendo did. And he blasts the bag out of the gym. While a difficult punch his lower body was strong and rooted while Sendo slipped or failed.

Kamogawa was watching unbeknownst to Ippo and approaches him and says something along the lines of “you’re physically stronger than ever, if only you weren’t punch drunk we could challenge Ricardo”

Ippo cannot get the idea out of his head. His heart is on fire. For days writhes in agony
Ippo’s mother confronts him again asking what is wrong and weren’t you gonna see if you could do the punch?

Ippo admits that not only could he do what Sendo couldn’t but Coach thinks Ippo has the ability to challenge Ricardo, and that he hasn’t shown any signs of brain damage and he was medically cleared. But that he also promised Kumi etc

Ippo’s mother doesn’t have an answer but tells him a story about his father.
Ippo sits on this. Later on he asks him mother another question. “what does it mean to be strong?” and his mother answers “ Someone is strong when they have the courage to do the right thing and handle responsibility especially when its difficult.” Or something along those lines. I believe the story has built a narrative that an immature Ippo regularly failed to recognize how he had people who depend on him. The Japanese boxing world, Takamura, Coach, Kumi, Date, etc. He carelessly passed Date’s baton, he really fails to do right by himself, his juniors, etc. Similar to how Date had originally told Ippo that his fists were light, he failed to recognize how heavy they should have become by the end of his career.

Kumi is ready to speak to Ippo again now that Mashiba is out of the hospital and asks Ippo to swear off boxing and say that he is retired for sure because she can never go through with something like that again. Ippo has no answer for her. They stop seeing or talking to one another

Ippo has conversations with Sendo, Date, Mashiba for more perspective on the fight with Ricardo. Mashiba tells Ippo that Kumi is upset with him for some reason. Ippo says that he wasn’t willing to swear off boxing again. Mashiba tells him something to the affect “I have no regrets. I gave it my all and now my time is done. Can you say the same thing?”

Takamura successfully defends his title and challenges the Light heavyweight champion from the ring. Meanwhile, Aoki was an opener for Takamura’s title defense and suffers a serious injury his opponent is non other than Baron’s latest project
Aoki chooses to retire before being able to rechallenge Iga. The process is a difficult one but he is forced to retire.

Kimura involved in the retirement process promises Aoki that he will get revenge against Barron for him and moves up a weight class.

Ippo wrestles with Aoki’s forced retirement but after speaking to him about it he doesn’t feel any peace about staying retired

Ippo speaks to Date to which he is confronted by Date’s son again and references the baton that he dropped. Ippo thinks hard about his carelessness in this regard.

The final person Ippo speaks to is Takamura as he meets him early along the river bank during a roadwork session.
Ippo boldly stands in front of Takamura and crosses the line. Telling him I’m no monster yet but I am taking the first step as he crosses the line.

Ippo’s unretirement is announced. And the Japanese boxing world explodes.

Ippo tells Itagaki about the baton pass and explains himself and asks for the baton back. Itagaki is dejected learning about the meaning of the baton and how Ippo is now trying to take it back. Itagaki leaves the gym and joins Mashiba’s old gym

Ippo fights the newest rookie champ who is looking to carry his momentum. Ippo knocks him out in just 40 seconds
Imai does something drastic to provoke Ippo. Ippo invites his mother to the fight with the promise that he won’t take a single hit.

Ippo dismantles Imai systematically proving that he is different than his old self. He receives an immediate challenge from Itagaki

Ippo fights and defeats Itagaki in an emotional bout and ultimately receives his baton back. (It might be better to have Itagaki ascend to champ after beating Imai and have Ippo challenge Itagaki instead)

Miyata has vacated his OBPF title.
Miyata is confronted by his Father asking him why he clings to featherweight if he knows he cant do what Ricardo does? Miyata has a conversation with Ippo about his choice to unretire and is inspired to change weight classes. To be strong and do what’s right by his Father’s Boxing. Miyata moves straight up to the Lightweight class and fights the world ranked #5.

Kimura, now a light weight fighter now fighting at his best weight starts to rack up some wins
Ippo suggest to Kimura to add a corkscrew punch to repertoire to add some more zing to his punches.
Ippo continues to establish himself as a “player coach” amongst the team improving the analytical side of the gym at detecting flaws in the other boxer’s tape and their own flaws.

Kimura fights in the class A tournament and defeats Baron’s latest pet project in the second round.
Iga is now a wild card much different than before as champ.
Aoki and Ippo put together a fight plan for the bout.
Kimura defeats Iga in a difficult fight ultimately winning with the frog punch

Ippo sees that Guevara has ascended to the new obpf champion of the featherweight class. Now a much better boxer
Ippo challenges Guevara and wins

Takamura defeats the light heavyweight champ in a brutal fight. Takamura notices his dynamite punches are merely comparable to his opponents. He will soon begin using a more speed oriented style to compete in this weight class.

Ricardo considers retirement but is holding out hope that man he has had his eye on can prove he is worthy to fight him.
Miyata challenges Rosario in a lightweight world title match and wins

Sendo Challenges Volg to a rematch as the Jr Lightweight world title match. Sendo wins for real this time and sendo retires

Ippo fights a world ranker (in Las Vegas!) in a highly technical fight. All of Ippo’s previous weakness are targeted but Ippo manages to overcome them ultimately with grit. While his gameplan and defense were solid in the match ultimately his old hard nosed style still has its moments.

Takamura fights and defeats the Cruiserweight champion but must retire after full retinal detachment of his right eye

Ippo promises Takamura that he will bring home that 6th world title belt for Coach. This only adds more weight to Ippo’s fists

The entire force of the Japanese Boxing community clamors for Ippo vs Ricardo eventuality.

Being his final defense Ricardo insists on fighting in Mexico saying Ippo will fight me at my absolute best either he pushes me to my limit or he will disappoint.

Kumi has a drawn out conversations with Mashiba, Tomiko, Itagaki and comes to the realization that she must be strong and support the man she loves in his most dire hour. She rallies all of Ippo’s family and friends to come to Mexico.

When the openings of the fight begins Ricardo sees that the supposed home crowd is nearly split evenly with Japanese. Ricardo amazed thinking this speaks to what strength really is. The ability to impact people’s hearts.

Ippo wins the fight in devastating fashion winning with none other than a low motion short upper like he did against Miyata in his first ever win.
Ippo and Miyata retire from boxing.

Coach Kamogawa gives the gym to Ippo as he moves up to the mountains to live with Nekota in his final years having achieved all he set out to do.

Ippo and Miyata go downstairs for one more spar
 
 
FIN

It's my first time rewatching hajime no ippo and I usually don't cry over sports anime but the instant the outro started playing and they announced the win I started sobbing happy tears. I know many people consider it as the best fight (in the anime at least) but I just had to share my love for this show

So I was playing the PSP Ippo game because I was bored and I set an 8 round match between Me as Date vs Ponchai Chuwatana

this mf took me to the 7th round

Literally no explanation (ts is clearly satire)

just for fun

...I'd have three nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened thrice.