01x19 - expl*sive Confrontation

[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 19: expl*sive Confrontation

We came out here because there's a
public spar with the champion, but...

0-Ow, ow! He got me!

This sparring partner is too tough!

And he's not holding back at all
against the world champion.

Geez, he's not doing well at all.

Did he screw up his conditioning?

Maybe they don't want to show their
hand before the world title match?

Coach...

This is useless.

It's not that he's messed up his training or that
he's trying to keep anything under wraps.

He's just not trying at all.

Let's go, Yagi-chan.

I'm not going to humor this farce any longer.

W-What the...

It took you girls too long.

I was worried about you.

When we're done here let's go to Roppongi.

We can work up a real sweat over there.

As soon as those girls came in, it was over in a flash.

It took Hawk less than ten seconds
to leave him in a bloody mess.

He was just waiting for the women to show up!?

What an irredeemable clown!

Takamura-kun's public spar is in an hour, right?

How's he doing?

Terrible.

He looks like he could fall down any second now.

He's clearly over-dehydrated
from his weight management.

And they say he still hasn't made weight.

Will he be able to fight in the world title match?

It's worrying.

That's just the effect of the weight management.

When the day of the match is here, he'll definitely deliver!

I think so too.

Yeah.

After coming this far, we have to believe in him.

I have faith in you,

Takamura-san.

“"Public spars predict outcome..”

The odds are 7 to 3 against us,

and this was probably still written
giving us the benefit of the doubt.

Normally, this would be where we wrap up training

in order to keep him from getting overworked,

but the last two kilos just won't drop.

What's

wrong?

I know that your mouth is so dried up that you can't talk,

but how am I supposed to interpret those bizarre signs?

Will you be able to make weight?

I've never seen such a mockery of a champion before.

He keeps insulting us left and right.

The match is soon, but instead of training,
he's playing around with women.

He isn't taking the world title match seriously at all.

Don't

worry.

I know!

But it's frustrating!

I'm so damn frustrated!

You're normally arrogant, foolish, and out of control,

but you're working yourself to the bone.

But this son of a b*tch...

{eave it to me.

Being encouraged by my fighter...

I must be losing my cool because
this is my first world title match too.

But that doesn't mean I'm backing off!

We're going to win this, Takamura!

Indeed.

Not that it matters,

but isn't that ridiculous sign language
going to wear you out even more?

154 pounds.

Full limit.

Takamura makes weight!

You did it!

Congratulations, Takamura-kun!

With all that fuss they're making...

the weight management must've really been rough this time.

Oh,

a handshake.

How insulting.

Man, you look like a mummy.

You gonna be able to fight me
with such a crappy looking body?

H-He's mocking the body that
Takamura-kun worked so hard on.

Takamura!

I know, geezer.

He made the weight limit!

That's great!

This is where they're doing the press conference!

Hey,

hurry over here!

Fujii-san!

What's wrong?

If something happens, we're counting on you guys.

What do you mean?

I thought we were in the clear now
that the match is all that's left,

but I doubt...

this press conference is going to go smoothly.

We'll move on to questions now.

Dammit.

That attitude...

It's pissing me off.

That'd make anyone snap, not just Takamura,

How does the challenger see the match going?

I'll tell you this much, it won't be a decision.

It'll be a KO and there'll be a new champion.

That's it.

That's a pretty composed response.

I thought he was going to take this chance
to talk some smack, but so far, so good.

He can talk properly again,

and the cracks on his face are gone.

He probably rehydrated himself after the weigh-in.

He was like a human version of a dried shiitake,
50 he absorbed the liquid very quickly.

What a joke.

He's not going to respond at all?

Champion!

Considering that your first title defense
is in Japan, on enemy territory,

is there any reason why you persist
on provoking the challenger?

I think it might be because you're worried.

In other words,

is it because you're afraid?

I'll take this one.

Hawk is not nervous at all about his first title defense.

The provocation is a natural result of his personality.

We're confident that we'll be
taking the belt back to America.

Is that satisfactory?

Can't he answer the damn question himself!?

Is that what the champion really thinks?

He should be aware that the challenger...

has 16 consecutive KO's since his debut.

In terms of destructive power,
he's comparable to the champion.

And given that the title defense is on enemy turf,

it wouldn't be surprising for him to be a little nervous.

Y-Yeah!

You tell him, limura!

No,

don't lie like that.

That's not what you really wanna know.

'Min room 1003 in this hotel.

Come knock on the door whenever you want.

And I'll show you everything.

How rude!

We're still okay!

Takamura-san's hanging in there!

We'll wrap up the press conference now.

Could we please get both fighters in a picture to
commemorate tomorrow's highly anticipated match?

Can you show us a fighting pose?

Could you two get closer together?

It's over.

Guess we didn't have to worry.

Looks like we made it without any trouble.

A little bit closer?

And put your fists under each other's chins.

Y-You...

little punk!

T-Takamura-san!

J-Just hold it in!

You dumb asses!

He's the one you need to stop!

You insult my boxer at every turn!

You'll pay for this!

Coach!

G-Geezer...

Coach!

I can't believe it.

b*stard.

If I was 60 years younger...

Hands off, old man.

Takamura-san!

Hold Takamura-san back!

My legs are shaking so much that they won't move.

It's no good.

This is going to turn into a brawl.

Takamura-san...

What's wrong!?

You gonna bring it or what, you candy a*s!?

You think I'm scared

of this wuss!?

Don't make me laugh!

You wanna know why I mess with him!?

It's because I can't wait until the match!

| wanna k*ll his a*s right now!

When I have a match coming up, I get all excited!

I feel like I could beat a man to death!

I get so worked up that I can't take it!

That's why I need women!

How am I supposed to sleep if I'm tense all the time!?

And how the hell is some puny Japanese
punk supposed to beat me anyway!?

No matter what he does, he doesn't have a chance!

You wanna beat me, huh??

Then bring me all your women!

I'll give you my genes!

I'll spread my seed throughout this country!

And in twenty years, Japan will be
crawling with world champions!

Sounds great, right!?

You'll come begging for them once the match is over.

My genes!

W-What a scumbag!

No one has ever pissed me off this much.

Screw the coverage!

All I want to do now is see him get his a*s kicked!

All I want to do now is see him get his a*s kicked!
Takamura!

Dammit!
Takamura!

Takamura,

beat his a*s!

All of Japan will be cheering you on!

We're counting on you! Teach him a lesson!

I'm sorry.

In the end, it was me who...

I don't have to...

hold back anymore, right!?

I won't have to put up with this
anymore once I'm in the ring!

The Day of the WBC World Title Match

The Day of the WBC World Title Match
Don't let him go home alive!

Don't let him go home alive!

No mercy for that as*h*le!

Come on,

you have to win for Japan's sake!

It looks like a riot could break out at any time.

What a tense atmosphere.

It's no wonder they're pissed.

Give him the women of this country?

I'd protect Tomiko even if it costs me my life!

Putting Tomiko-san aside...

Even if she was handed over, they'd
probably hand her right back.

What!?

Why??

B-But still,

the thought of fighting a match in
this atmosphere makes me scared!

Don't worry.

You won't make any kind of impression.

Right now, no one cares about anything
other than the world title match.

I don't care if I make an impression!

I just have to do my best to protect the Japanese title!

Hey, Ippo!

Umezawa-kun!

Huh,

you got talked into selling this stuff?

Oh, yeah! And it's been a huge success!

We're almost sold out.

Takamura T-shirts, sweaters, towels, and caps.

Did you design this, Umezawa-kun?

Pretty good!

That's our wannabe-manga artist!

The media broadcasted yesterday's
press conference nationwide,

50 everyone is supporting Takamura-kun!

The match is already a huge success
just from the merchandise sales!

Who cares about merchandise?

It's not a success until he's won, got it?

Yes.

Well then...

I'll be heading to the dressing room then!

All right!

Good luck!

Takamura-san's title match is a big deal, but...

I have to...

focus on my own business!

Focus! Focus!

"Ssh ssh ssh!" What a racket.

I can't even take a nap in peace.

Takamura-san!?

You were here already!?

Well, I was too restless at home.

Today's the day I become the world champion after all.

So, I came in early.

How are you doing?

Not bad!

Don't worry about me, just—

Don't be stupid.

I'm not worried about myself at all.

Even on the day of the world title match...

Amazing.

Hey, Ippo...

Who do you think will win?

W-Well, of course—

That as*h*le, Hawk, has been getting
on my nerves for a while now.

And then that press conference...

Saying all that stuff...

Hitting me on the chin...

And then he lays his hands on the old man...

I was so pissed, I thought I'd go berserk for sure.

I..

I was impressed that you were able to hold back.

| went home and watched his videos.

Not for research or anything,

but to burn the face of my target into my mind.

And what do you know...

It actually calmed me down.

He's strong.

I can understand why he's got the belt.

Takamura-san...

must have not been able to sleep last night.

That's why he was here so early.

I thought he was going to head to the ring ready for a brawl,

but this is the first time...

I've seen him make a face like this.

His first world title match...

A strong champion...

Being provoked over and over again...

And the hopes of all of Japan...

The pressure must be incredible.

Takamura-san!

I-I'll make a promise with you if
you'll make a promise with me!

I'll win with a one round KO!

So...

So please win, Takamura-san!

Please become the world champion!

| swear I'll do it!

Are you sure about that?

I heard from the press that your opponent's pretty tough.

One round, right?

Well...

In that case, maybe we shouldn't be particular about
the number of rounds and just focus on the KO.

Okay, maybe just winning, even if it's by decision.

But you said one round.

B-But, I...

Uh...

Quit babbling like a moron!

Get your a*s out there and win!

If you clutter up the ring I'm
fighting in, there'll be hell to pay!

Go warm up the crowd!

Right!

W-What the?

He ended up encouraging me instead.

And now our 10 round semi-final!

We have a match featuring Takamura
Mamoru's kouhai, Makunouchi Ippo!

In his third Japanese title defense,

he'll be facing a fierce competitor from Korea, Yi Yonsu!

Will he be able to hand the spotlight
over to his senpai in a fitting fashion?

Makunouchi,

set the stage with an impressive beating!

Do it for your senpai!

G-Geez, they're really worked up.

And to top it off...

he looks strong.

We don't know what kind of fighter
he is, but he's got a good reputation.

You're not the type of fighter to
match your opponent's style anyway!

Just use your own style to win!

Right.

My body's starting to get tense.

It's different from usual

But...

I have to do my best!

I'll start out with what I'm good at!

Kid, what are you doing!?

With the sound of the bell, Yi launches forward!

An abrupt start!

Will we see the strength that makes
Yi Yonsu so highly regarded??

Here he comes!

A left!

It lashes out like a stab from a sword!

His fist is hard!

I can't take one of these in a critical spot!

it's like he's jabbing at me with a battering ram!

His left is strong!

He's a pretty direct fighter, isn't he?

He must be confident in his punches.

He's aiming for a slugfest where the
winner is the one who lands the first hit.

But that suits us fine!

Kid, remember your style!

My style...

What I'm good at...

What I'm good at!

Whoa,

and that weaving from a lowered stance
that traces the symbol for infinity.

It's...

the Dempsey Roll!

Using the Dempsey Roll right from the start!?

Kid, that's not it!

You have to be compact and precise.

A left hook twisting upwards from the ground!

It grazes Yi's jaw!

Using that same momentum, he comes back up swinging!

Whoa,

but Yi is raising his right up!

Oh no...

if he takes aright counter while heading
forward with that momentum...

Not good!

I have to use my own style!

He can see him coming!

The right is swung downwards!

It's Makunouchi's right that lands!

Left!

Right!

Left!

He doesn't stop!

Yi's face is being battered back and forth!

A thunderous sound rumbles through the arena!

Makunouchi is firing away at full power!

And Yi Yonsu responds...

He responds...

with nothing!

He drops to the ground and collapses like a lifeless doll!

A dramatic outcome!

A sudden catastrophe!

A fearsome Dempsey Roll!

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