Hajime no Ippo New Challenger Ep 7

Screens:

Summary:

The Date Eiji vs. Ricardo Martinez Title match continues. Date gets the first hit on Martinez, and continues attacking trying to prevent Martinez from gaining his pace. Martinez guards as Date contines his assault; Martinez lands a hit on Date’s face, but Date turns his head at the same time reducing its effect. The match eventually becomes a competion of lefts till the 1st round ends with both boxers about to unleash their rights. Takamura comments that the 2nd round will be determined by their right punches, while in his corner Date comments to his second that he’s worried, since the next round is the same round he lost in the last time he fought Martinez. Martinez says he’ll end it this round and the second round begins. As the gong sounds, the audience is quiet as everyone is aware that this is the round Date lost in, and Takamura remarks that if Date can make it past this then he’ll have surpassed his old self. Martinez starts attacking and Date pulls off a few head slips to slip away, but Martinez keeps a close follow on him. Now it’s Martinez comencing his attack on Date, and eventually lands  a good counter with a body blow on Date.  Martinez comments that many a man has fallen too his body blows and that there is no shame in it. Date however, grits his teeth and launches a counter-attack. Martinez is surprised by this developement and questions if Date has fought someone with harder punches than his, which he finds hard to believe, but can’t find any other explaination for Date’s toughness. The 2nd rounds ends and the crowd goes wild, and Date remarks that he’s surpassed himself and soon will surpass the champion. In his corner Martinez comments that the right he threw was his best and yet Date was able to endure it, because of this Martinez has recognized Date and announces to his second that he will start going seriously from her on out. As the 3rd round starts Martinez starts viciously attacking and Date can’t find the right timing, the crowd is surprised at the complete style change in Martinez and Takamura comments that while he’s surprised, this current fighting style must be Martinez’s original style. Martinez’ second comments that Date Eiji made the mistake of having Martinez recognize him, that technique isn’t enough for the world, there are times when one must have the strength and will to paint the ring red with blood.

Martinez continues his assault on Date, while Date’s face slowly begins to swell and eventually the gong rings and the round ends. In his corner, Date asks what round it is, his second tells him to calm down and the next round is the 9th round. It also seems like Date’s ribs have been fractured. In Martinez corner, he asks his second Bill if his punches are light, he wonders how Date is able to endure. His second believes it be revenge or even for the dream of wearing the belt, Martinez doesn’t believe this to be so as he’s fought countless mean with both of these as motiviation and all have fallen to him and comments that Date’s eyes are eyes filled with despair and wonders what pushes him. In the stands Kimura comments that it’s hopeless and it’s not like Date has a magic punch to turn the match around. Ippo remarks that he does, the Heartbreak Shot, and Takamura comments that probably the reason that Date hasn’t launched a single punch at Martinez’s chest yet, and if Date can pull it off then the whole match can get turned around as the Heartbreak Shot would cause Martinez to freeze for a few seconds which would be plenty of time to start a counter-attack. As the gong sounds Martinez continues his onslaught and it’s starting to seem like Date won’t be able to pull it off, but Date pulls a headslip and pulls a weak left on Martinez’s guard. Martinez notices Date twisting his fist to prepare a Corkscrew punch and guards his head leaving his chest wide open.  Takamura comments that it’s a perfect scenario and Date begins to throw his Corscrew aimed at Martinez’s heart with the episode ending right before his punch lands.

Opinions:

Man I love Ippo episodes I get all pumped even though I’ve read the manga chapter of this many times. Watching the episode reminded how much tactics can play in a fight even when you’re fighting someone stronger than you. Date’s enduring a beating waiting for that one brief moment to turn it around. Sometimes those chances come sometimes they don’t they are gambles, but it’s not like the odds are 0% you can pull that lucky moment off. Hell I just had one of those moments yesterday Playing Street Fighter 4. I was Ken, other guy was Saggat. Both are lives are down to 10% and he starts pulling a super on me, as soon as I see it I try to pull one off too, well I was trying to pull off a desperate Shoryuuken and it came out as a super making for an awesome looking comeback. Well, anyways I’ve decided to start blogging Ippo for the time being till next season, unless someone really wants me to continue Ippo, because you know I will if there’s a demand for it.