Ep. 69: Ippo and Coach Arrive for Featherweight Title Defense Against Southpaw Shigeta Akira
Aired on February 13, 2002
Ippo and his coach arrive in the city where featherweight champion Takeshi Sendo is scheduled to defend his title against Shigeta Akira, a fourth-category boxer. During the early stages of the match, Sendo appears to be struggling significantly against the challenger. As a southpaw boxer, Shigeta Akira presents a stylistic challenge that Sendo finds difficult to overcome. The champion attempts to land his best punches, but Shigeta successfully dodges each attempt. Furthermore, Shigeta manages to outsmart Sendo’s famous fatal blow, known as the Smash, leaving the champion unable to impose his preferred boxing style effectively throughout the encounter.
Episodes
- Ep. 65 · The group travels to a mountainous location for their summer training camp activities.
- Ep. 66 · Takamura confronts a bear in an emotional battle that brings him to tears
- Ep. 67 · The Kamogawa Gym Swings Into Action
- Ep. 68 · The Chief's Perilous Entrance and the Bear Killer's Debut
- Ep. 69 · Ippo and Coach Arrive for Featherweight Title Defense Against Southpaw Shigeta Akira
- Ep. 70 · Ippo Reflects on Osaka Fight While Kumi Calls to Set a Date
- Ep. 71 · Ippo trains intensely for the title match as tickets sell out rapidly before the weigh-in.
- Ep. 72 · Ippo strikes first with Dempsey Roll while Sendo struggles to recover and retaliate.
- Ep. 73 · Ippo struggles against Sendo's relentless attacks in the third round