Hajime no Ippo New Challenger ep 19

Screens:

 

Summary:

 

The coach is observing Bryan Hawk spar at a local gym along with the press, but it turns out to be unfruitful as Hawk isn’t taking the spar seriously and letting his opponent hit him. However, as soon as the coach leaves the gym, a loud gasp comes from the gym. The coach rushes back only to find Hawk’s opponent on the mat unconscious with blood coming out of his mouth. It seems Hawk wasn’t taking the spar seriously until his girls came in. Meanwhile in Takamura’s spar, he’s having a hard time and getting hit a lot due to his weight management and the press is wondering if his condition will be alright in the actual match. The next day the results of the spar are in the player, and the coach is looking at it during Takamura’s road work. Apparently the posted odds are against Takamura, and the coach comments on how Takamura is still 2 kilograms over the limit and how tough it’ll be to lose the weight since they’ll have to chip away at muscles and flesh since there’s no longer much liquid to get rid of. Looking at the paper again, it’s clear the coach is pissed at Hawk’s attitude and Takamura tells him to leave it to him. Takamura continues his weight training, and eventually the day of the weigh-in comes. Takamura is able to pass the weigh-in; though his physical condition is very dehydrated and worn out. As everyone’s cheering on the fact that Takamura has passed the weigh in; Hawk comes over and examines Takamura’s body and comments on how decrepit Takamura looks. The crowd is shocked by Hawk’s comment and the coach holds Takamura back, and Takamura eventually leaves the room pissed and the press conference begins. 

 

During the press conference, a reporter asks Takamura about his opinion on the match and Takamura claims he’ll win with a decisive KO. Hawk’s reaction is rather inattentive and quite laid back and Fuji thinks on how much they’re being looked down on. Fuji proceeds to ask the champion on why he’s gone to such lengths to anger his opponent, but Hawk doesn’t seem to respond; instead, Hawk’s coach remarks that Hawk’s provocation are merely a result of his personality and assures everyone that the belt will be returning with them to America. Mari gets up and asks the champion if he really feels this way and repeats Takamura’s record and questions if he really isn’t nervous. Mari gets Hawk’s attention, but only because he’s staring at her chest. Hawk tells her that she isn’t being honest and tells her that isn’t what she wanted to know. He proceeds to tell her his room number and tells her he’ll let her in anytime. Mari gets embarrassed and sits back down. At the end of the conference, they have Hawk and Takamura pose together for a photo; however, Hawk intentionally hits Takamura during the pose. Everyone panics and Aoki, Kimura, and Ippo hold Takamura back and tell him to calm down; however Takamura tells them he’s not the one they should be restraining. The coach grabs Hawk for touching his boxer, but Hawk just smacks the coach away and tells him that old men should get out of the way. The coach is bleeding a bit from his mouth and says that if he were only 60 years younger……………… Takamura is now at the height of his anger, and Ippo can’t even move on account of the massive killing intent coming from Takamura. Takamura clenches his fists and endures; Hawk starts laughing and answers everyone’s questions. He claims the reason he doesn’t fear Takamura and the reason he provokes him is because he can’t wait for the match; he wants to kill him now, and because he can’t stop this excitement he spends his nights with women. He tells everyone that a Japanese person couldn’t possibly beat him, and if they want to beat him so bad, they should send all the women to his hotel room. He’ll give them his genes and in 20 years the county will be full of champions and leaves while laughing. Understandably, this pisses off everyone in the room and everyone begs Takamura to kick Hawk’s ass; Takamura tells the coach he’ll settle it in the ring. 

 

Takamura goods are selling out the day of the match, and Yagi comments that yesterday the media has supported Takamura and because of that they’re making a killing in sales. In the locker room, Ippo is preparing for his match until Takamura tells stop making so much noise. Ippo is surprised to see Takamura there; Takamura asks him who he thinks will win, but before he can answer Takamura tells him how Hawk’s been pissing him off since the press conference and now that he’s calmed down he’s realized Hawk is strong. In an effort to cheer him up, Ippo makes a deal with Takamura; Ippo will get a round 1 KO, and in exchange Takamura will become the world champion. Takamura asks him if he’s sure about that, since he’s heard Ippo’s opponent is suppose to be quite tough. Ippo starts losing his confidence in his statement, but Takamura yells at him to get out there and win. 

 

Ippo’s match against Yi Yonsu starts, and Ippo is feeling the pressure; Ippo tells himself to just fight with his usual style, but is caught by surprise. Yi Yonsu takes the initiative and runs up to Ippo and gets a strong left in, but it only manages to knock away Ippo’s right arm. Ippo comments on how heavy the opponent’s fist is and that Yi Yonsu is a strong opponent. The coach tells him to use his usual style and Ippo decides to use his usual specialty, and starts the Dempsey Roll. The coach is shocked at the sudden use of the Dempsey Roll and tells him to use small punches, but Ippo starts the Dempsey Roll and begins the barrage. The first swing grazes Yi Yonsu’s chin, but Yi Yonsu goes in to counter the next swing; however, Yi Yonsu’s right foot gives out and he misses and he gets hit with Ippo’s right. The rest of the Dempsey Roll follows and Yi Yonsu hits the mat hard, and it seems the match is over ending in a 1 round KO.

 

Opinions:

 

Wow, Ippo’s match went by shorter and faster than I thought. Despite the fact of how short it was, I was surprised at how well it was done considering the actual fights was like 2 minutes, while the manga had it at a chapter. I mentioned before how I thought Bryan Hawk’s seiyū had a noble kind of tone, but the douchebaggery and creepiness of the character really come out when he’s talking in a laughing tone. Needless to say, I was right on the money and episode 20 is where we see the start of the Hawk vs. Takamura match; we’re in for a bang and I can’t wait to see it!!!