01x15 - Itagaki's Debut Match!

[bunniefuu]

I've been fighting to get it all for awhile

Running towards my dream at mach 50

Whirling winds tear through the sky

and I promise to become better than I was yesterday

The blue sky got twisted up with dark clouds

The wind that I waited for pressed onto my shoulder

and in my hand I grasped onto

The flash from a thunderbolt out of the blue

When I stopped running after so long

and opened these fists that have been thrown so often

Inside of them were traces

of the first step I'd taken to make it here

Tomorrow will take care of itself

Tears will come as the winds continue until morning

And to us as we grew it was like

A thunderbolt out of the blue

Round 15: Itagaki's Debut Match

Takamura-san's world title match was finalized?

Yeah, it's in December.

Wow,

I joined the gym at a great time.

I'm looking forward to it!

It's even better for us.

We've been watching him since the beginning.

He's finally gonna be number one in the world!

That's enough celebrating for now!

We still have the matches in October before then.

That includes Takamura's preliminary
match for his world title fight.

We've also got Itagaki and Kimura in matches
on that night, so both of you get ready!

Right!

Right!
Yes!

Can't let some low-level guy score an upset on me!

I'm in the opening match, so I'll take the lead!

Things sure are heating up!

Whether we like it or not, he's the
one who sets the pace for our gym.

That includes you too, Ippo-kun.

You're fighting in the match before
Takamura-kun's world title fight in December.

I'll-Me tool?

The opponent hasn't been decided yet,

but we're bound to sell out the arena with both our
headliners, Takamura-kun and Ippo-kun fighting!

Then the venue is in...

It's in Japan, of course!

At Takamura-kun's request, it'll
be the Ryogoku Kokugikan!

He said it felt manly there and,

since it was the arena Date Eiji lost in, that
he would make up for the disappointment!

The Ryogoku Kokugikan...

I'll be fighting in the same ring that Date-san did!?

Okay!

Yagi-san, I'll do my absolute best!

Right!

Hell yeah!

I'll do my best too!

You actually don't have a match scheduled.

A-Aoki-san...

I can smell the stench of being left out.

I heard about the world title challenge!

Huh?

Where's Takamura-kun?

In the bathroom.

He's been taking longer than usual lately.

All right... nothing in it.

1 gotta make sure to check every time...

in case something like that is in there again.

I can't believe I've gotta worry about
this with my title match coming up.

So, you've been constipated?

I guess when it comes to something
like this, even you get nervous.

Me nervous!?

No way!

The champion's the one chickening out!

Canceling the title match and then
suddenly agreeing to it again...

Playing all these stupid mind games!

T-That was actually the manager's strategy in
order to make sure they have the advantage.

What?

It seems like Bryan Hawk is a hard fighter to manage.

He has a wild personality and no one
has ever actually witnessed him training.

From what I understand, it's nearly impossible to get
a hold of him unless it's the week before a match.

He's famous for being the champion who hates to train.

B-But he's the world champion!

How could he have done that without training?

He won using nothing but his natural born talent.

Every now and then, a fighter like
that will show up on the world stage.

After he won the title,

he bragged about only having trained for nine days.

0-Only nine days??

He says he prefers to spend the time
leading up to a match in bed with women.

He's one c*ck as*h*le!

That has to be a bluff.

There's no telling whether or not that's true,

but he's definitely strong.

20 matches, 20 wins, 17 KO's.

He took the belt without a scratch in America where
competition in the jr. middleweights is particularly fierce.

Well, he's up against the most
dangerous man alive this time!

Little Hawk-kun is probably gonna be
training his a*s off while crying to himself!

The manager mentioned this while
holding his head in his hands...

It seems they can't get a hold of him.

W-Wait a second!

He knows about the match, right!?

They were able to tell him that much.

But...

But?

When he heard the challenger was Japanese, he hung up.

He's been missing ever since.

He hung up without even asking who I was!?

Without even knowing my name...

He hung up when he found out he
was fighting someone Japanese!?

Americans dominate the heavier weight classes.

It's not surprising that he'd take someone from Japan lightly.

He doesn't train and he's not even
interested in who he's fighting.

This guy is going too far, dammit!

Don't get too worked up, Takamura.

Just focus on the first match for now.

I know, I know.

Whether he trains or not doesn't matter.

I'm gonna take the title and do it my way!

And to top it off...

I k*ll him!

Hey, don't push!

It says this is the preliminary
fight before a world title match!

I guess it really was finalized!

It's already that full”?

That's exciting!

Be grateful to Takamura-san.

Must be nice to be so carefree.

Huh?

Kimura-san, are you nervous?

Hey now, Mr. Veteran, get it together.

It's my first match in a while and the first
since I started spelling Tatsuya in katakana.

It feels like a debut match.

So you're the same as me!

You could be a little more nervous.

Let's go, Itagaki!

Hey!

Do a good job, okay?

Let's set the stage for Takamura-san's match.

Well...

I intend to, but...

I have my own goal to chase after,

so I'll get into the ring for myself this time.

And now, a featherweight match scheduled for 4 rounds!

Since it's his debut match, there won't be much cheering.

Let's shout out "Manabu!" to
get him in the swing of things.

Right!

In the red corner, weighing 125 and 1/2
pounds, from the Kamogawa Gym...

Itagaki Manabu!

ltagaki Manabu!
Here we go...

Manabu-kun, good luck!

Please win!

What's with that huge crowd of college chicks!?

S-Seems like a cheering squad.

In the blue corner, weighing 125 and
3/4 pounds, from the Sayama Gym,

Makino Fumito!

Kinda plain looking, isn't he?

The program says...

two matches and two losses.

He hasn't won yet?

Itagaki's a super rookie who
transferred over from the amateurs...

I'm surprised they accepted this match.

Itagaki seems different than he did in the waiting room.

What do you think, Champion?

I'm talking to you, dammit!

Oh, right!

Well, it is his debut match.

He looks tense...

but not stiff.

I can sense his concentration.

He looks good.

He's used to fighting in front of big crowds.

Compare that to his opponent who looks worried.

He seems like he's going to do whatever it takes to win.

He knows about your reputation, so
he'll try and rush in to take the pace.

Make sure you're careful!

I feel like I'm locked in a cage...

So this is the pro ring?

I've got to dodge a punch first,

then I'll know what kind of condition I'm in today.

All right!

I've got to dodge a punch first,

then I'll know what kind of condition I'm in today.

All right!

I'm moving well!

My steps feel light!

I can do it!

Oh, Manabu-kun!
He doesn't move like a rookie!

You're so cool!
Is this really his debut match!?

I hate to admit it, but Itagaki's boxing is smooth as hell.

Right!

So fast!

How many times did he just hit him!?

Amazing!

Go for a KO!

Let's have a flashy debut fitting for the super rookie!

That's scary!

He's throwing huge swings!

He's got no other choice!

The difference in speed is too great.

He has to bet it all on a do-or-die punch
or somehow draw him into a slugfest.

Nothing but full swings?

On the other hand, that makes it easy to aim for this!

He paid him back double with a counter!

He's keeping a cool head!

He nailed him!

You can do it, get him!

It's working!

I can do it!

I'll be taking the shortest route
possible to Makunouchi-san's title.

Like hell you will!

This time, I'll stop him!

I'll pay him back in the pro ring for our amateur days!

And I'm not taking any detours!

Good idea, lay into him!

He looks desperate.

Is it because of Itagaki-kun?

No,

he looked like that before he even got into the ring.

What is it?

Look, Makino...

You have to show some potential.

I know you love boxing,

but you're just gonna hurt yourself if you keep this up.

Lose this next match...

and you'll have to give it up.

Look out, Itagaki-kun!

Referee, he was butting just now!

W-What the hell are you doing, dumb-a*s!?

You're wide open!

Fight back!

What the hell is wrong with him!?

ONE

W-Why are you counting!?

TWO
W-Why are you counting!?

TWO
What about the butting!?

What about the butting!?

This isn't a proper down!

THREE
This isn't a proper down!

THREE
| said it wasn't really a down!

| said it wasn't really a down!

FOUR
| said it wasn't really a down!

FOUR

FOUR
Itagaki-kun, calm down!

Itagaki-kun, calm down!

FIVE
Itagaki-kun, calm down!

FIVE
Take your fighting pose!

Take your fighting pose!

SIX
Take your fighting pose!

SIX
Dammit... I'm fine.

Dammit... I'm fine.

His opponent was totally overwhelmed,

It's only natural that he'd do whatever he could to win,

It's the pro ring...

there's no telling what can happen.

He lost his cool and tried to make an appeal.

That down is gonna cost him.

There are a lot of cases where amateur boxers who fight
nice and clean end up getting wiped out in rough fights.

Oh, no...

Box!

Dammit... Dammit...

Use your legs and regroup!

Stay calm!

There's a two knockdown limit in 4 round matches!

Don't fall down no matter what!

I'm not gonna get hit again!

I can't afford...

any detours!

An elbow!?

Stop! The match is over!

I-It can't be!

This can't...

That was an elbow, not a punch!

I'm not hurt a tall! I can still go on!

I can still..

Can't accept that you lost or something!?

Get outta the ring!

They need to start the next fight!

Throw him out already!

You lost, got it!?

You've already lost!

I-Itagaki...

I can still fight...

I can still..

Itagaki!

Better luck next time, dumb-a*s!

You're pissing me off!

Don't expect any sympathy!

Forget applause, now he's
getting booed out of the arena!

This turned into the worst debut possible!

Itagaki-kun...

I-I'll go to his dressing room!

Please cheer Kimura-san on for me!

Yeah, don't worry about it.

He's an even better underdog hunter than I am!

Next, the bout before the main event!

A 10 round jr. lightweight match!

It's Kimura!

It's been a long time!

We're counting on you!

You'll be the one to win the belt next!

Fight Mashiba again!

It's started...

Don't worry, Kimura-san's a veteran.

He won't lose to someone on a lower level than him.

Itagaki-kun...

Um...

My opponent was on a lower level than me too.

I didn't intend to screw up either, but...

It was your debut match, so you were just tense.

Is that how it looked?

No.

Actually, you looked good.

I could follow his punches.

There's no way a telegraphed punch
like that could ever land on me.

His head and elbow did though.

He cheated!

Itagaki-kun...

Where the hell was the referee looking!?

How could he let two fouls slide like that!?

Itagaki-kun, you'll hurt your hand!

You understand! Right, Senpai!?

He was cheating!

It doesn't feel like I was even boxing!

What the hell??

Why?

Why did I have to lose?

Did you see your opponent's face?

He looked really desperate.

He must have had some reason
why he couldn't afford to lose.

That's why...

So it's okay to foul someone if you win?

Wow...

I guess anything can happen in the pros.

It wasn't a foul.

The referee didn't stop him.

Maybe he thought they were unintentional
or maybe he just didn't see them.

Either way, you got distracted during the match.

It's your own fault.

If you had been as desperate as he was,

you would have fought back even after the headbutt.

Sen... pai...

The possibility that anything can happen
is a condition of fighting in the pro ring.

That's enough!

I thought you were on my side.

Screw the pro ring!

I can't believe this.

Itagaki-kun!

I should have told him sooner.

I started noticing when we sparred at the beach.

His speed and technique are both perfect,

but he didn't throw a single punch that felt dangerous!

Ambition and intensity...

Most pros can recognize those
things just by looking at someone,

and Itagaki-kun didn't have enough of either.

Hey, so how's Itagaki?

He ran out.

I think I was too hard on him.

He was depressed too.

I feel really bad.

Don't worry about it.

Give him a few days and he'll show up at the gym again.

I hope so.

How's Kimura-san doing?

The tenth round is next.

The final round!?

It sure is taking a long time.

He's really beat up!

Is his opponent strong!?

He's a genuine underdog.

W-What are the points at!?

By my count, I'd say they're even.

How can that be!?

Round 10. Final round!

All right!

I'm really gonna let him have it!

Dragon Fish Blow!

That kind of big swing...

It doesn't suit Kimura-san at all.

His only saving grace has been that
his opponent's punches are crappy.

It's his first match in a long time, so I think he's
forgotten his original style and is just trying to KO him.

He's been going full steam the whole
time and now it's the tenth round...

Damn you.

Fall, fall already!

You're putting too much of your shoulder into it!

Throw smaller, more compact punches!

Stop!

The match is over!

It... [it went to a decision...

Did he lose the final round?

Crap...

I wanted to KO him, but it went to a decision.

I had the point lead, right?

I won, right?

What the hell's taking so long?

Figure it out already!

It can't be that I—

Red corner, Kimura!

Hell yeah!

Seriously? That scoring seems kind of fishy.

Wasn't it Kimura who lost!?

He got saved by a hometown decision!

I'll do better next time.

| wonder what's up with today?

Even Kimura-san...

They're not showing any results
from the training camp at the beach.

Some underdog hunter he ended up being!

I never said I was any kind of hunter!

Kimura-san!

Dammit...

I wanted to set the stage for Takamura-san's match too.

The Kamogawa Gym has three shots...

We'll have to bet it all on the last one!

Right!

We will now begin tonight's main event,
a 10 round jr. middleweight match!

It's Takamura!

He's got his bearskin on!

I've been waiting for you Takamura!

The reaction from the crowd when
the star arrives is definitely different.

He should be able to blow the dark clouds away!

Tonight, an archangel descends upon
Korakuen Hall along with his great ambitions!

He's stumbling around!

What kinda performance is that?

He's always a hoot to watch!

He's taking the fur off!

Hurry and show your face!

Takamura!

Takamura!

Taka...

Just listen to these huge crowds,

ringing with antici... pa... tion?

What the hell? He shrunk!?

What's going on?

He...

He totally screwed up his weight management.

The dark clouds just got darker.

This is too dangerous.

Did he shut himself up in the
bathroom before the match?

Something about being constipated?

It's not my fault!

Facing him is the Filipino
Middleweight Champion, Morris West!

He intends to make an impact in the
world rankings with a victory today!

H-He looks strong.

And he's in perfect condition.

Dammit, it's gonna be my fault if he loses.

Please win, Takamura-san!

Overwork from getting carried away with your training...

Constipation from dehydrating yourself
because of the weight management...

I can't imagine you'll be able to move around properly.

But this is the prelude to your world title match!

You can't afford to screw this up!

Who do you think you're talking to?

I'm gonna handle this like...

He tipped over.

Is he gonna be able to punch properly?

Dark clouds gather over Korakuen Hall!

But there will be no delays!

The bell for this climactic battle has now...

been sounded!

Some night

I can't remember why

We stayed up 'til 4 AM ('til 4 AM)

We talked about nothing important and then made love

The birds wake up we close our eyes

The birds wake up we close our eyes

I love how she calls my name inside her dream

Kisses me still half asleep

Don't I wish that we could stay like this

At 8AM

I stop the alarm to watch her sleep and think

I'd do anything if I could make this time rewind forever

To 7:59