章 37: Chapter 37: Decisions and Preparations
The morning air was crisp as Alex entered the Kamogawa Gym. His coach, Kamogawa Genji, was already there, setting up for the day. With a determined look, Alex approached him.
"Coach, I've made my decision about the sponsors," Alex began.
Kamogawa turned, raising an eyebrow. "Oh? Let's hear it."
"I'll take both deals. Nike and Sony," Alex said confidently. "It's a big opportunity, and it'll help secure things for the future."
Kamogawa nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Good decision. But remember, these deals aren't just about money. You're representing yourself, this gym, and boxing as a whole. Don't let them distract you from your training."
"I won't, Coach. Boxing comes first," Alex replied with conviction.
"Good." Kamogawa grinned slightly. "Let's make the calls, then."
Alex and Kamogawa sat down with the gym's office phone, dialing up the representatives for Nike and Sony.
The first call was to Nike. The representative was thrilled. "Fantastic! We'll finalize the details and have everything ready for your first commercial shoot in a month. And don't forget, we'll be sending you some gear soon—you're officially part of the Nike family!"
Next was Sony. Their excitement was equally palpable. "Great to have you onboard, Alex! We'll set everything up for the PlayStation campaign, and you'll be featured prominently. This is going to be a hit!"
As the calls ended, Alex leaned back in his chair, feeling a mix of excitement and responsibility. This is really happening.
Time FliesThree weeks passed in a blur. Alex balanced light training sessions with helping Ippo prepare for his upcoming fight. The Kamogawa Gym buzzed with energy,
everyone eager to see Ippo take on Jason Osma, a powerful opponent with a record that mirrored Alex's own: 3 wins, 3 KOs.
Fight DayThe morning sun illuminated the rented apartment Alex, Ippo, and Hiroko were staying in while their home underwent renovations. Alex glanced over at Ippo, who was watching TV with an unusual intensity.
"You ready for this, Ippo?" Alex asked.
Ippo turned to him, his usual nervous smile replaced by a determined expression. "Yeah. I've been working hard. I won't let this guy overwhelm me."
"Good." Alex clapped his cousin on the shoulder. "Let's head to the gym. It's your day to shine."
Alex couldn't help but smile. Ippo was stepping into the ring, and while the focus would be on him today, Alex knew his cousin had what it took to stand tall.The arena hummed with anticipation, every seat filled with fans eager to witness the showdown between Japan's rising star, Ippo Makunouchi, and the super-powerful contender, Jason Osma.
The commentators captured the tension perfectly:
"Tonight, two undefeated fighters step into the ring. Jason Osma, a powerhouse with unmatched raw strength, takes on Makunouchi Ippo, known for his relentless determination and devastating body blows. Who will prevail?"
The Fighters EnterJason Osma's entrance was a spectacle. His imposing, muscular frame filled the tunnel as "Eye of the Tiger" boomed through the speakers. The audience reacted with awe at his sheer presence as he strode confidently to the ring.
Osma raised a fist to acknowledge the crowd before climbing into the ring, his sharp eyes scanning for his opponent.
Moments later, Ippo's entrance music—"Victory" by Hotei Tomoyasu—shifted the atmosphere. The crowd erupted with cheers as Ippo emerged, a focused expression on his face. He jogged to the ring, Kamogawa and Yagi by his side.
Seated with Takamura, Aoki, and Kimura, Alex cheered louder than anyone, shouting, "Go get him, Ippo!"
As the fighters met in the center of the ring, the referee went over the rules. Both men nodded, their intense gazes locked. Osma towered over Ippo, but the smaller fighter showed no fear.
The bell rang.
Round 1:
Osma came out like a freight train, immediately pressing the action with a barrage of heavy punches. His overwhelming strength was evident as his right hook crashed against Ippo's guard, sending shockwaves through the arena.
Ippo bobbed and weaved, trying to stay just out of range. But Osma's reach and timing were excellent, allowing him to clip Ippo with jabs and hooks.
Midway through the round, Ippo found an opening. Slipping a wild swing from Osma, he countered with a sharp left to the body, then a right hook that snapped Osma's head back.
The crowd roared as Ippo began to find his rhythm, landing a series of punches to Osma's ribs. However, Osma weathered the assault and responded with a thunderous uppercut.
The blow connected cleanly, sending Ippo crashing to the canvas.
The crowd gasped in shock as Ippo hit the mat, his eyes wide with disbelief. Kamogawa shouted from the corner, his voice cutting through the noise: "Get up, Ippo! Stay calm!"
The referee began the count.
"One… two… three…"
Ippo blinked, his vision steadying. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself to his feet at the count of seven. The referee checked him, then waved for the fight to continue.
Osma smirked, sensing blood in the water. He moved in for the kill, throwing another barrage of punches. Ippo, however, tightened his guard and focused on defense, retreating to weather the storm.
Back in the corner, Kamogawa's voice was sharp. "You can't let him dictate the pace! Get in close and work the body! He's strong, but he's not invincible!"
Ippo nodded, the fire reigniting in his eyes.
The second round began, and Ippo came out with a renewed determination. Slipping past Osma's jabs, he closed the distance and began hammering away at his opponent's midsection with crushing body shots.
Osma grimaced as the relentless assault took its toll. His punches grew slower and less precise. Seeing an opening, Ippo ducked under a wild swing and unleashed a devastating liver shot.
Osma froze, his body betraying him. Ippo followed up with a brutal uppercut, lifting Osma off his feet and sending him crashing to the canvas.
The referee began counting, but it was clear Osma was done.
"One… two… three…"
Osma struggled to move, his body refusing to obey. By the count of ten, the referee waved it off, declaring Ippo the winner by knockout.
The AftermathThe arena erupted as Ippo raised his fist in triumph, his face a mix of relief and elation. Kamogawa and Yagi rushed into the ring, hoisting him onto their shoulders.
Alex stood, cheering wildly. "That's my cousin!"
Meanwhile, Osma, now sitting on his stool, looked over at Ippo with respect in his eyes. Despite the loss, he managed a nod of acknowledgment.
As the announcer officially declared Ippo the winner, the crowd's chants of "Ippo! Ippo!" echoed through the arena.
To be continued…
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