Ippo is no longer the challenger. He feels the weight of the belt and the expectations of his fans. The episode captures his humble nature clashing with the "king" status he now holds. 2. Takamura’s Antics
The episode focuses on Ippo finding his rhythm as the new champion while the world of boxing shifts around him. Hajime no Ippo: A New Challenger Episode 1
Date prepares for a world title match against Ricardo Martinez. Ippo is no longer the challenger