NOVEL WEB Chapter 119: Chapter 119 – KBG’S ERA
October 12th, 1992 – Inside the NHK Studio
The bright studio lights shined on a sleek, modern table with three seats arranged neatly behind it. The camera zoomed in on the commentator in the center, a well-dressed man in his fifties with sharp eyes and a composed demeanor.
"Good evening, Japan! Welcome to NHK. I am Tetsuya Chikushi, and tonight, we are broadcasting live from Tokyo to bring you an event unlike any other!" he announced with enthusiasm. "This is a once-in-a-decade spectacle—not just one, not two, but four title fights on a single card!"
Seated next to him was a poised woman in her thirties, dressed in a stylish yet casual outfit. She smiled at the camera and spoke with an engaging tone.
"Hello, everyone! I'm Keiko Ijuin, co-host for tonight's coverage. We are beyond excited to bring you the highly anticipated matchups happening right now in Japan's boxing scene!"
Tetsuya nodded and then gestured toward the corner of the studio. "But before we dive into the action, let's give a warm welcome to our special guest tonight. Not only is he Japan's brightest star, but he's also a rising sensation on the global stage—none other than Alex Makunouchi, the WBO Lightweight Champion!"
The camera cut to Alex, who was walking confidently toward the table, dressed sharply in a tailored suit. He waved at the camera, smiling as he approached the commentators. He shook hands with both Tetsuya and Keiko before taking his seat at the center of the table.
"Thank you for having me. It's an honor to be here," Alex said smoothly.
Keiko beamed at him. "Now then, Fuji-san, back to you!"
The screen switched to the lively Korakuen Hall, where thousands of fans packed the venue, their excited chatter filling the air. The camera panned across the arena, capturing some of Japan's most promising boxing stars.
Leaning against a wall with his arms crossed was Takeshi Sendo, the number two contender in Japan's featherweight division. His sharp eyes followed the crowd, his usual smirk absent as he focused on the upcoming fights.
The camera then shifted to another young fighter sitting in the stands—Ichiro Miyata, Japan's rising star, who had recently secured a dominant win in Thailand. He watched the ring with an intense gaze, the weight of his own aspirations clear in his expression.
The feed transitioned back to the NHK studio, where Keiko turned to face the camera.
"Now, let's hear from our guest tonight! Alex Makunouchi, what are your thoughts on this stacked card?" she asked.
Alex leaned back slightly, adjusting his suit jacket before responding.
"Well, let's start with the main event," he said, a confident smile forming.
Tetsuya chuckled. "There's no bias in this one, right?"
Keiko let out a soft laugh, and even some of the studio staff off-camera could be heard chuckling.
Alex raised his hands in mock surrender, grinning. "I can't promise that," he admitted, earning more laughter from the set before continuing. "But let's be real—the main event is Takamura defending his JBC Middleweight Title against the number one contender, Atsushi Tamaki. These two are both knockout artists, which makes this an explosive fight on paper. That being said, I don't see it going the full distance. Takamura is just on a different level—I believe he'll win by KO."
Keiko nodded in agreement before shifting the focus. "And what about the co-main event? Ippo Makunouchi vs. Eiji Date? This one is difficult to call. After all, Date has years of experience and multiple successful defenses of his JBC Featherweight Title."
Alex's expression grew a bit more serious. "You're right. This will be the toughest challenge of Ippo's career. Eiji Date is no joke—he's the definition of a veteran, and he knows how to break down an opponent systematically. But…" Alex paused, a proud look in his eyes. "I've trained with Ippo every day. I know how much he's improved, how determined he is. I believe he'll win this title match."
Tetsuya leaned in slightly, a teasing smirk forming. "No disrespect, but you're not just saying that because he's your cousin, are you?"
Alex chuckled. "Well… part of me says that because he is my cousin, yeah." He shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "But another part of me says it because I've seen firsthand how much he's evolved. He has all the tools to take this fight."
Tetsuya nodded, seeming satisfied with the answer. "Alright, then! Let's move on to the third title fight on the card..."
Alex adjusted his posture, leaning forward slightly as he continued his breakdown of the card.
"The third title fight on this card is between Rank 3: Daichi Kuroda and Rank 6: Aoki Masaru for the vacant JBC Lightweight Title," he announced.
Keiko turned to him with a curious expression. "This was your former belt before you moved up to the world rankings and vacated it. How does it feel seeing others fighting for it?"
Alex glanced at her before casually replying, "Honestly? It doesn't feel like much. My JBC Lightweight Title is already displayed in my house, sitting in a glass cabinet next to my WBO Lightweight World Title."
Tetsuya let out a hearty laugh at Alex's humor, shaking his head. "Well, at least it's in good company!"
Alex smiled. "Just what I was saying, back to the topic—"
Keiko cut in with a chuckle. "You were talking about the third title fight."
"Right. About this one… to be honest, it's a tough pick. Everyone knows Aoki Masaru's biggest weakness—he's got a glass chin," Alex stated bluntly.
Tetsuya nodded in agreement. "An interesting fact about Daichi Kuroda—he's the only top-ranked lightweight in Japan that you didn't fight before moving on to the world stage."
Alex stroked his chin in thought. "You're right. Now that I think about it, I haven't even seen any of his footage. That means I can't really give a solid opinion on this fight. How about you take this one, Keiko?" he said, turning to her.
Keiko perked up. "I've watched Daichi Kuroda's fights before. He's a brawler—his style is aggressive and relentless. If Aoki can survive past the seventh round without getting knocked out, then he has a real chance. Kuroda's style isn't suited for long fights, so if Aoki can outlast him, the fight could swing in his favor."
Alex nodded in understanding before transitioning. "Alright, then let's move on to the last title fight—another one involving one of my teammates."
Tetsuya leaned forward with an amused smile. "Your gym really is stacked with talent. Three undefeated fighters—yourself, Ippo, and Takamura—and now two more title contenders stepping up."
Alex grinned. "What can I say? Maybe you should thank my Coaches for that."
Keiko smiled, her gaze lingering on Alex with a subtle admiration. "Yeah, your coaches & team is really good at nurturing talented people… like you," she said, her tone slightly softer.
Alex cleared his throat. "Ahem. Let's get back on topic," he said, shifting in his seat slightly.
Keiko chuckled as Tetsuya smirked, before Alex continued. "Tatsuya Kimura, my teammate, has a patient style of boxing. As for his opponent, JBC Jr. Lightweight Champion Tetsura Yoshida, I think this fight will be a battle of endurance. In my opinion, this one is going to the judges—it'll be a decision-type fight."
Tetsuya nodded. "I get what you mean. Neither of them really has the tools to score a knockout against the other."
Keiko tapped her chin. "For now. But we all know boxing is unpredictable—anything can happen in that ring."
Alex and Tetsuya nodded in agreement.
Tetsuya then turned to the camera. "Alright, back to you, Fuji."
The screen switched to the Korakuen Hall, where the energy in the arena had reached its peak. The crowd roared with excitement as Fuji spoke into the mic.
The camera zoomed in on Tatsuya Kimura and Tetsura Yoshida, both standing in their respective corners, ready to make their way to the ring.
In the center of the ring, Tatsuya Kimura and Tetsura Yoshida took their positions, both fighters standing their ground.
Kimura flicked out a testing jab, gauging the champion's reactions. Yoshida remained composed, parrying the jab with ease. The fight quickly turned into an exchange of tactics—Kimura launched a two-punch combination jab straight , managing to land some shots, but Yoshida countered effectively, keeping the battle even. This pattern continued for the rest of the round.
As the bell rang to signal the end of Round 1, the two fighters returned to their corners, their faces focused and unreadable.
NHK StudioThe broadcast shifted back to the NHK studio, where Alex Makunouchi sat at the center of the table with Tetsuya Chikushi on his left and Keiko Ijuin on his right.
Keiko was the first to speak. "That was a close round. In my opinion, it's a 10-9 for the champion, Yoshida."
Alex shook his head slightly. "I disagree. Even though Yoshida countered some of Kimura's punches, Kimura landed the cleaner shots and controlled the pace. I'd score it 10-9 in favor of Kimura."
Tetsuya leaned forward, rubbing his chin. "I see both points, but I'd score this round a draw. It was just too close to call."
Back in the ring, Coach Shinoda gave Kimura a firm nod. "Good job. Keep him guessing—don't rush. We've got plenty of rounds ahead."
Coach Kamogawa, holding a bottle of water, splashed some on Kimura's head to cool him down.
Assistant Coach Yagi handed Kimura a water bottle, letting him take a quick sip before Kimura put his mouthguard back in and stood up for Round 2.
The bell rang, and the fight resumed.
Kimura continued his strategy, baiting Yoshida into countering too early and punishing him with sharp punches. However, Yoshida adjusted, landing well-timed counters of his own. The back-and-forth battle continued with neither man backing down.
The rounds passed in a blur of precision and grit, with both fighters pushing their limits,By the time Round 10 came, the battle had reached its peak, with neither willing to back down."
Then, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the fight."
Both Kimura and Yoshida stood exhausted, their bodies drenched in sweat. The crowd erupted in applause, knowing they had just witnessed a war.
NHK StudioAlex exhaled deeply, adjusting his tie. "That was a close fight. This could go either way."
Keiko nodded. "It'll be a split decision, for sure."
Tetsuya agreed. "Yes, indeed."
Inside the arena, the announcer took the microphone as the referee stood between Kimura and Yoshida, holding their hands.
Kimura closed his eyes, muttering a silent prayer. "Please be me… please be me…"
Coach Shinoda stood by his side, staring intently at the announcer.
"The first judge scores the fight 96-95, in favor of Yoshida."
A murmur ran through the crowd. Kimura kept his head down, breathing deeply.
"The second judge scores the fight 96-95, in favor of Kimura."
The tension in the arena skyrocketed. Most of the crowd were silent, hands clasped together, as some fans whispered, "And new..." while most shouted, "And still!" The air was thick with anticipation, and every eye was locked on the ring.
Kimura clenched his fists. Yoshida took a deep breath.
"And the third judge scores the fight 96-94…"
A pause.
"And the NEW JBC Junior Lightweight Champion… TATSUYA KIMURA!"
The arena exploded in cheers.
The referee raised Kimura's hand, and his legs almost gave out from the emotional high,Most of the crowd clapped, some cheering, others simply nodding in approval. "Kimura! Kimura!" echoed through the arena, though it wasn't a roar—it was a steady chant, a sign of respect for the hard-fought war in the ring.
Coach Shinoda grabbed him in a tight hug, as Kimura broke down in tears—tears of joy, relief, and pride.
The announcer handed the championship belt to Coach Shinoda, who carefully placed it around Kimura's waist.
Nearby, Coach Kamogawa and Assistant Coach Yagi smiled proudly, watching as their fighter stood victorious.
Inside the locker room, Ippo, Aoki, and Takamura were warming up for their own fights when they saw Kimura's victory on the TV screen.
Aoki pumped his fist. "YES! He did it!"
Ippo grinned. "I knew it!"
Takamura cracked his knuckles. "Now it's up to us. We need to keep this momentum going."
Aoki took a deep breath, stepping forward. "I'm next. Wish me luck."
Ippo patted him on the shoulder. "Let's wait for them to get back here so Coach can corner you properly."
Back in the studio, Alex wiped his brow. "Man, this was intense. I'm sweating even though the air conditioning is on max."
Tetsuya chuckled. "That's how you know it was a great fight."
Keiko smiled warmly. "Congratulations to Tatsuya Kimura, the new JBC Junior Lightweight Champion!"
20 minutes later…
Masaru Aoki stood in the center of the ring, facing his opponent, Daichi Kuroda. Their eyes locked as they touched gloves, signaling the start of the JBC Lightweight Championship fight.
The bell rang.
Kuroda exploded forward, immediately pressing the attack.
But Aoki had a game plan—he would stay patient and rely on his counterpunching.
Kuroda fired a right hook to the body, followed by a left uppercut aimed at Aoki's chin.
Aoki stepped back, smoothly pivoting to his right, flicking out a jab to maintain distance.
This pattern continued throughout the round—Aoki using his footwork, keeping Kuroda at bay, dodging and countering when necessary.
With 10 seconds left in Round 1, Aoki remained on the move, weaving side to side to avoid Kuroda's attacks.
But Kuroda read Aoki's rhythm, predicting his next step.
A huge right overhand came crashing down—Aoki's chin took the full force.
Aoki went down.
The referee rushed over, beginning the count.
"GET UP!" Coach Kamogawa shouted from the corner.
backstage
Kimura, still holding his newly won belt, froze as he saw Aoki hit the canvas.
Takamura leaned closer to the screen. "Damn it, get up! There's only 10 seconds left!"
Ippo clenched his fists. "Just survive this round!"
NHK Studio Alex exhaled sharply, concern flashing in his eyes. "This is exactly what I feared the most. Aoki's biggest weakness is his chin."
Tetsuya kept his voice steady. "But there are still 10 seconds left. If he gets up, he has time to recover."
Aoki lay on his back, staring at the bright arena lights.
His head was spinning.
His body felt heavy.
But deep down, something inside him refused to break.
"I need to get up..." he told himself.
He slowly pushed himself up, his arms shaking, his breath ragged.
"Seven! Eight!" The referee counted.
At nine, Aoki finally stood up, raising his gloves.
The referee looked into his eyes. "Are you okay?"
Aoki gritted his teeth. "Yeah... I'm good."
The referee stepped aside, allowing the fight to continue.
The crowd erupted in cheers, rallying behind Aoki.
But Kuroda charged in immediately, trying to finish the job.
Aoki, still unsteady, moved side to side, avoiding Kuroda's wild punches until the bell rang, saving him from further damage.
The fight became a grueling war.
Aoki fought smart—counterpunching and using his movement—but Kuroda's power sent him down again in Round 4.
Then again in Round 5.
Each time, Aoki got back up.
Bruised. Bleeding. Barely able to see.
Yet he refused to fall for good.
Round 7
Both fighters stood in the center of the ring.
Aoki's right eye was cut, blood trickling down his face.
Kuroda, though, was gasping for breath—his stamina running low.
Aoki grinned through the pain.
"It's my turn."
With renewed energy, Aoki charged forward.
A devastating left hook to the body made Kuroda grunt in pain.
A follow-up left hook to the chin sent Kuroda stumbling back.
The crowd roared.
"AOKI! AOKI! AOKI!"
Aoki took a deep breath.
He squared his stance.
And then—
"FROG PUNCH!"
Aoki ducked low beneath Kuroda's desperate swing.
Then he launched himself upward with a powerful leaping uppercut, mimicking the movement of a frog.
CRACK!
Kuroda's head snapped back violently.
His mouthguard flew into the crowd.
His body crashed into the ropes—his arms hooked on them, completely unconscious.
The referee immediately stepped in, waving off the fight!
Aoki collapsed to his knees, his battered face barely recognizable from the swelling. His body ached, his vision blurred, but he could hear the cheers.
Coach Shinoda rushed into the ring, grabbing Aoki in a tight embrace.
Coach Kamogawa and Assistant Coach Yagi grinned, watching their fighter achieve the almost impossible.
The referee helped Aoki stand, while Kuroda was carried out on a stretcher.
The announcer stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the fight ends in Round 7… Winner by knockout…"
"And the NEW JBC Lightweight Champion of the World… MASARU AOKI!"
The arena exploded in celebration.
The championship belt was placed in Aoki's hands.
He held it tightly, his tears mixing with the blood running down his face.
Coach Shinoda pressed a towel to Aoki's bleeding eye, trying to stop the flow.
"You did it, aoki."
The crowd chanted his name, over and over.
"AOKI! AOKI! AOKI!"
Back in the studio, Alex let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"I told you so." He grinned . "Aoki was going to win this one. Though, I won't lie, that first round almost gave me a panic attack."
Tetsuya and Keiko chuckled.
"Kamogawa Gym is now 2 out of 4 on this card." Keiko smiled. "Congratulations to Aoki!"
Alex leaned back confidently.
"By the end of this night, it'll be 4 out of 4."
After his grueling victory, Aoki walked toward the tunnel with Coach Shinoda, Coach Kamogawa, and Assistant Coach Yagi by his side. The arena erupted with chants of his name—
"Aoki! Aoki! Aoki!"
Despite his battered body, Aoki lifted his newly won JBC Lightweight Championship belt high, waving at the cheering fans. He wore an exhausted yet proud smile, soaking in the moment as he disappeared backstage.
Inside the locker room, the doctor was finishing his examination of Kimura.
"You're good," the doctor said. "One month of rest, and you'll be fully healed."
Kimura let out a relieved sigh. "Thanks, Doc."
Just then, the door swung open. Aoki, Kamogawa, Shinoda, and Yagi entered. The moment the doctor saw Aoki's condition—his right eye cut and bleeding, his body covered in bruises—he motioned toward the medical bed.
"Lay down here," the doctor instructed, pointing at the table.
"Yes, Doc." Aoki exhaled, walking over and lying down without complaint.
A nurse handed the doctor a syringe of anesthesia. As he prepared the stitches, the doctor examined Aoki's eye closely.
"This cut is deep," he warned. "It needs stitches, so stay calm."
Aoki remained silent, staring at the ceiling as the doctor worked.
Meanwhile, Kamogawa turned to Shinoda. "You stay here and look after Aoki. Yagi and I will assist Ippo for his fight."
Shinoda nodded. "Got it."
Before leaving, Kamogawa called out, "Let the cameraman in."
As Yagi opened the door, a cameraman stepped in, capturing the moment. In the corner, Takamura was shadowboxing, his muscles flexing with every sharp movement.
Ippo sat on the bench, his face calm yet determined. Kamogawa knelt in front of him, carefully wrapping his hands, layer by layer, reinforcing them for battle.
After five minutes, Kamogawa finished securing Ippo's gloves, giving them one final tug.
"You're ready."
Without hesitation, Ippo stood up. The door opened, and together with his team, he walked out of the locker room toward the tunnel.
As the tunnel lights dimmed, the arena roared to life.
Back in the NHK Studio, Alex sat with a popcorn bucket in one hand and a cold soda on the table.
"This is the fight I've been waiting for," Alex said, his excitement barely contained.
Beside him, Tetsuya casually reached into Alex's popcorn, taking a handful.
Alex shot him a look. "Hey—!"
Tetsuya grinned.
Alex then turned to Keiko, offering some. "Want some?"
Keiko waved her hands. "No thanks, I'm on a diet."
Alex shrugged. "Suit yourself."
The camera switched back to the arena, where Ippo stepped into the ring.
The announcer's voice boomed through the microphone.
"And now, the CO-MAIN EVENT of the evening!"
Spotlights shined down as the crowd roared in anticipation.
"Introducing first, fighting out of the BLUE CORNER!"
The camera zoomed in on Ippo, bouncing on his feet, throwing quick shadow punches.
"From Kamogawa Gym, weighing in at 124.5 pounds—the JAPANESE FEATHERWEIGHT TOP CONTENDER…
IPPO MAKUNOUCHI!!!
The stadium exploded in cheers.
"IPPO! IPPO! IPPO!"
Some fans in the crowd yelled: "Kick his ass and steal that belt!"
Then, the announcer shifted focus.
"And now, fighting out of the RED CORNER!"
The camera panned to Eiji Date, standing tall and composed. His powerful frame exuded experience and confidence.
"From Nakadai Gym, weighing in at 125.4 pounds—the reigning, defending, JAPANESE FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION…
EIJI DATE!!!
The crowd erupted again, chanting "Eiji! Eiji!"
A spectator in the front row gawked at Date's chiseled physique. "That body is insane… I can't believe he's 29!"
Both fighters stepped to the center of the ring.
The referee looked at them sternly. "We've been over the rules. Touch gloves if you wish to."
Ippo and Date touched gloves before stepping back to their corners.
Round 1
Ippo immediately squared up in his peekaboo stance, bobbing and weaving as he closed the gap.
Date stood tall in his high-guard, his sharp eyes studying Ippo's movements.
Date flicked out a jab, testing the waters.
Ippo weaved inside, dodging the jab, and instantly threw a right uppercut—but Date leaned back just in time, avoiding it by inches.
Stepping back, Date began circling to his right, staying away from Ippo's dominant right hand.
Ippo noticed the pattern and attempted to cut him off. He launched a left hook to the body, and this time, it landed solidly on Date's ribs.
Date gritted his teeth, then immediately fired back—a sharp right cross!
BAM!
The punch crashed against Ippo's head, making him take a step back.
The two reset.
For the rest of the round, they exchanged punches, neither willing to back down.
DING!
The bell rang, ending Round 1.
Ippo sat in his corner, his face slightly bruised. Across the ring, Date sat in his own, also showing signs of wear.
NHK Studio Alex took a sip of his soda as the broadcast continued, his sharp eyes locked onto the fight. Keiko leaned forward and said, "In my opinion, that round was a 10-10. Neither fighter had a clear edge."
Tetsuya crossed his arms. "This fight won't make it to the judges' scorecards. Someone is going down."
Alex nodded while drinking, acknowledging the statement. The camera focused on the three of them, capturing the engaging chemistry of their commentary team. The TV audience was thoroughly entertained.
A fan watching from home chuckled, "Man, I never thought I'd see this funny side of Alex."
His friend smirked. "I've always seen him as this tough and cool guy. I mean, he's the WBO champion, but at the end of the day, he's still human."
Round 2
Back in the ring, the bell rang, signaling the start of another intense round. Ippo and Eiji met at the center once more. This time, Eiji started strong, immediately launching a jab to Ippo's head to create an opening. As a distraction, he began twisting his right hand, preparing his signature move—the Corkscrew Punch.
From the NHK studio, Keiko gasped. "The Corkscrew Punch!"
In the ring, Eiji threw the devastating punch straight at Ippo's heart, aiming to stop him in his tracks. But Ippo reacted swiftly, shifting his elbow sideways to block the strike. The punch landed between his forearm and elbow, dulling its impact.
Eiji tried to reset, but Ippo didn't let him. Closing the distance, he weaved inside and engaged Eiji in a brutal exchange—left uppercut, right hook, left uppercut to the body!
Eiji, undeterred, fired back with a powerful right cross, followed by left and right hooks to the body. The two fighters traded punches in a relentless rhythm, neither backing down. Their grueling exchange lasted the entire round, both fighters absorbing and dishing out tremendous punishment. By the sixth round, their bodies were battered and bruised, their stamina pushed to its limits.
Eiji, now standing at the center of the ring, went for another Corkscrew Punch. But this time, Ippo started weaving side to side—faster and faster.
Eiji's eyes widened in surprise. Exhausted, he attempted a jab to maintain distance, but Ippo was already closing in. He unleashed a barrage of left and right hooks to the body, twisting his hips with each strike to generate maximum power. The impact was so fierce that gusts of wind followed each punch.
From the NHK studio, Alex sat up. "It's over. Ippo's started using the Dempsey Roll—the technique we specially prepared for this fight."
Tetsuya turned to him. "Dempsey Roll?"
Alex grinning. "Just watch."
In the ring, Ippo's ferocious hooks crashed into Eiji, forcing him into the corner. His guard shattered under the relentless assault. The final left and right hooks landed square on Eiji's chin. His head snapped back, and he crumbled to the canvas.
The crowd erupted.
"The champion is down!"
The referee quickly stepped in as Ippo stopped his attack, breathing heavily. His vision blurred—his eyes were swollen and nearly shut.
The referee started the count, but the fight was already over.
"It's over!"
Coach Kamogawa stormed into the ring, embracing Ippo tightly. Yagi followed, congratulating the new champion. Meanwhile, Eiji slowly regained consciousness, still dazed. The two fighters met in the center of the ring and shook hands in mutual respect.
The announcer's voice boomed through the arena.
**"Ladies and gentlemen, the fight is over! We have a new JBC Featherweight Champion—IPPO MAKUNOUCHI!"
Coach Kamogawa received the JBC belt from the officials and placed it around Ippo's waist. The referee raised Ippo's hand as the young fighter smiled, overwhelmed with emotion.
Handed the microphone, Ippo raised it to his lips, his voice filled with joy. "I did it!"
Looking straight into the camera, he added, "I told you, Mom! I did it! Now Alex's two belts in the glass cabinet will have another companion!"
The crowd burst into laughter at Ippo's humor.
At home, Hiroko Makunouchi watched the broadcast, tears streaming down her face. She placed a hand over her heart and whispered, "You did it, son."
Back in the ring, the microphone was handed to the former champion, Eiji Date. He exhaled deeply before speaking.
"I guess this is it," he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I'm getting older. My body can't take this anymore.
But I've provided a good life for my wife and kid."
With that, he removed his gloves and set them down in the ring. "Thank you, Ippo, for giving me a great fight. But this is it for me—I'm retiring."
The crowd stood up and chanted, "Eiji! Eiji! We'll miss you!"
In the NHK studio, Alex clapped his hands. "Give it up for Eiji Date!"
Keiko and Tetsuya joined him, as did the entire production crew.
Keiko smiled. "Eiji had a dominant run—multiple title defenses."
Tetsuya sighed. "This is sports. People get older, and new, better fighters take their place. It's the sad reality of the game."
Alex leaned back. "I'm happy for him. Now, he has more time to spend with his wife and kid."
Back in the ring, the chants of "Ippo! Ippo!" filled the arena. Among the roaring crowd, Sendo and Miyata sat silently, their eyes locked onto Ippo's championship belt. Meanwhile, in the front row, Ippo's former school principal was jumping in excitement, joined by his old classmate Masahiko Umezawa, now Ippo's number one fan.
Ten minutes later, in the center of the ring, Takamura stood across from his opponent, Atsushi Tamaki.
The fight began, and for the first minute, Tamaki managed to give Takamura some difficulty. But in the final 20 seconds of the first round, Takamura landed a crushing blow—sending Tamaki to the canvas.
The referee's count reached ten. It was over.
Takamura raised his belt triumphantly, flexing his massive biceps for the camera.
From the NHK studio, Alex chuckled. "Takamura defended his title easily. I told you so." He shot a look at Tetsuya.
Tetsuya sighed in defeat. "I thought this would be a close match, but I was dead wrong."
Alex stood up from his seat. "Well, it looks like my time here is over."
He shook hands with Tetsuya and then Keiko.
Keiko smiled. "It was an honor to commentate alongside you, WBO Champion."
Tetsuya nodded. "So, when's your next fight?"
Alex adjusted his jacket. "Probably in November."
The two commentators widened their eyes in surprise.
Tetsuya smirked. "I hope next time we meet, you'll have unified all the lightweight belts."
Alex waved at the camera. "Wish me luck."