Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

The gym was electric with anticipation as Alex and Ippo climbed into the ring. Their previous training sessions had drawn plenty of attention, but this was their first real sparring match. Fighters and onlookers alike crowded around the ring, eager to witness the clash.

"Alright, you two," Kamogawa said, standing between them. His gaze shifted between Alex's calm confidence and Ippo's determined intensity. "This is sparring, not a street fight. Keep it clean, and don't hold back your technique. Let's see what you've got."

Alex and Ippo stood across from each other, gloves raised in a respectful gesture before taking their stances.

The bell rang.

Ippo came forward first, his stance solid but his movements slightly hesitant as he tested Alex with a probing jab. Alex, however, remained composed, slipping past the jab with ease and circling to the side.

"Good footwork," Takamura muttered, leaning against the ropes. "But let's see if he can handle the heat."

Ippo picked up the pace, throwing a few more jabs to gauge Alex's defenses. Alex calmly parried them, his movements sharp and deliberate. Then, with a quick step forward, Alex initiated his offense.

A crisp double jab snapped Ippo's head back, immediately followed by a straight right that forced him onto the defensive. Alex shifted his weight onto his back foot, drawing Ippo in, then unleashed a lead hook that caught Ippo just above his guard.

"Whoa! Did you see that sequence?" one of the boxers murmured from the sidelines.

"It's like he's reading Ippo's every move," another whispered.

Alex kept up the pressure, his footwork immaculate as he danced just out of Ippo's range. He used subtle feints to create openings, landing another precise combination: a jab, a straight, and a hook that pushed Ippo toward the ropes.

Ippo gritted his teeth, refusing to back down. He retaliated with a powerful hook aimed at Alex's body. Alex pivoted smoothly, avoiding the blow, and countered with a jab that forced Ippo to reset.

The crowd began murmuring louder.

"Is Alex going all out against his own cousin?" one of the gym-goers asked.

"Doesn't look like it," another said skeptically.

Takamura, grinning from ear to ear, raised his voice to address the growing speculation. "Relax, people. Alex isn't putting his full power into those punches. It just looks flashy because his technique is clean. Those combos? All speed and precision, no muscle behind them."

Alex heard the comment and smirked to himself. He respected Ippo too much to coast, but he wasn't about to knock him down either.

Ippo charged again, throwing a flurry of hooks and straights, his determination driving him forward. Alex shifted into a defensive rhythm, his gloves and forearms absorbing the blows as he moved with the impact to minimize the force.

"Nice try, Ippo, but you're telegraphing those hooks," Alex said mid-fight, his tone calm yet teasing.

"You talk too much!" Ippo shouted, throwing a heavy straight punch.

Alex ducked under it, stepping inside Ippo's guard and delivering a light but precise lead uppercut that stopped him in his tracks.

"Damn," one of the bystanders muttered. "Ippo's giving it everything, but Alex is a step ahead every time."

As the seconds ticked away, Ippo's endurance began to waver. Alex, still composed, adjusted his strategy. He let Ippo come forward, baiting him with small openings, only to counter with sharp, controlled punches. A jab to the nose. A hook to the ribs. A feint that turned into a grazing uppercut.

Despite the apparent domination, Alex couldn't ignore the fire in Ippo's eyes. He admired his cousin's tenacity, even as he landed another clean double jab followed by a smooth straight.

"Keep at it, Ippo!" Takamura called out, chuckling. "Don't let him dance circles around you!"

The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the round. Both fighters stepped back, lowering their gloves as they caught their breath.

Alex walked to his corner, his expression unreadable, while Ippo leaned against the ropes, visibly winded but determined.

Kamogawa stepped into the ring, eyeing both fighters. "Good work. Ippo, you're improving, but you're still too reckless. Alex, your technique's solid, but don't get cocky."

Alex smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Cocky? It's called confidence, coach."

Kamogawa raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Confidence, huh? Then prepare yourself. Tomorrow, it's you versus Miyata."

The gym fell silent as Alex's smirk faded, replaced by a look of focused determination.

To Be Continued...