NOVEL WEB Chapter 30: Chapter 30 "Earning Respect: Training and Finances
The morning sunlight filtered through the Makunouchi household as Alex and Ippo laced up their sneakers, preparing for another day at the gym. The air was crisp, a reminder that their fight day was drawing closer. The walk to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym was filled with casual banter until they arrived and found Coach Kamogawa waiting for them, a folded newspaper in his hand and a glint of amusement in his eyes.
"You two might want to see this," the coach said, handing the paper to Alex.
The bold headline caught Alex's attention immediately:
"Super Rookie Alex Stirs the Boxing World – A Rising Star Who Draws Crowds Like a Champion!"
The article detailed the recent press conference, describing Alex's charisma as a unique blend of confidence and entertainment that had captured the public's imagination. Further down, the article estimated the financial windfall surrounding the upcoming match
.
A Big PaydayAlex read aloud, "Estimated fight earnings: Alex makunouchi – 120,000 USD (¥14,400,000). Opponent Shohei Matsuda – 80,000 USD(¥9,600,000)."
Ippo's eyes widened. "That's… a lot of money."
The article continued, emphasizing Alex's ability to gather an audience. It noted that simply fighting him could boost an opponent's career, with earnings estimated at 50,000 USD (¥6,000,000) just for stepping into the ring against him.
"Super rookie, huh?" Alex muttered, a smirk creeping onto his face.
"It's not just about the fighting," the coach said. "You've got a way with people, Alex. They come for the drama, the energy, and to see if you can back up your words. So far, you've delivered."
Pay Cut DiscussionAs they headed into the gym office, Alex took a seat across from Kamogawa, wanting to discuss something important.
"Coach," Alex began, "about the pay for this fight. I've been thinking. You've done so much for me and Ippo—training us, letting us use the gym for free, always pushing us to be better. I want to give you 20% of my earnings as your cut."
Kamogawa raised an eyebrow, his expression both surprised and touched. "20%? That's way too much, kid."
"But—"
"No buts," Kamogawa interrupted. "You're the one stepping into the ring. You're the one risking everything. My job is to guide you, not take advantage of your hard work. Let's make it 15%, and I won't hear another word about it."
Alex hesitated, then nodded. "Alright, 15% it is. And the promoter gets 5%, right?"
Kamogawa nodded. "That's standard. You'll still be taking home a good amount after deductions."
CalculationsAlex mentally calculated the numbers:
Total earnings: ¥14,400,000 (~120,000 USD)Coach's cut (15%): ¥2,160,000 (~18,000 USD)Promoter's cut (5%): ¥720,000 (~6,000 USD)Alex's net earnings: ¥11,520,000 (~96,000 USD)"Not bad," Alex said with a grin. "I can live with that."
Kamogawa chuckled. "Spend it wisely, kid. Money comes and goes, but your reputation in this sport will stick with you forever."
Training ModeWith the business talk out of the way, Alex shifted his focus back to training. The fight was just three weeks away, and every day counted. He started with shadowboxing, working on refining his movement and improving his combinations.
"Keep your guard up, Alex!" Kamogawa barked from the side.
"Yes, sir!" Alex replied, adjusting his stance.
Ippo was working on the heavy bag nearby, throwing powerful punches that echoed through the gym. The two shared a quick nod of encouragement, their silent bond pushing them both to work harder.
The Path AheadAs Alex pushed through another grueling session of sparring and drills, he couldn't help but reflect on how far he had come. From being isekai'd into this world to building a career that was already making headlines, he was determined to keep climbing.
The lightweight belt was his next target, but this fight against Shohei Matsuda was an important step in that journey. Every punch, every bead of sweat, and every ounce of effort was a step closer to his ultimate goal.
"Three weeks," Alex muttered under his breath as he landed a crisp jab. "I'm going to make it count."
To Be Continued…