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Bill Stewart (ビル・スチュワート, Biru Suchuwāto), occasionally referred as Bill Martin is the trainer and manager for Ricardo Martínez and José Nargo. He is a world renowned trainer that has trained up to seven world champions (including Ricardo.)

Background[]

At some point, Bill became a boxing trainer and manager. After a young Ricardo Martínez came up to him with boxing gloves and asked how it feels to be strong, Bill took him under his wing and became his trainer and manager.[1]

History[]

Part I[]

Revenge Arc[]

Bill with Ricardo during his spar against Ippo

Bill as Ricardo's second during his spar against Ippo.

When WBA featherweight super champion Ricardo Martínez was to go against Japanese boxer Eiji Date a second time in his 18th title defence, Bill arrived with Ricardo to Tokyo. Bill went with Ricardo to the Otowa gym for a public sparring session that included the JBC featherweight champion Ippo Makunouchi. When it was Ippo's turn to spar, Bill instructed Ricardo to handle the spar however he liked, but to show the audience the difference between Japan and the world. After Ricardo effortlessly hits Ippo with lefts and stops his Dempsey Roll, Ricardo walked away and told Bill who then explained the reporters that Ricardo has no intention of destroying the pride of the Japanese champion, simply wanting to warm-up his left, and any more than that would be pointless. After the spar, Bill commented how surprised he was to see someone in Japan able to use the Dempsey Roll and that the Japanese champion had a good amount of power, wondering if Ricardo felt a chill down his spine before apologising for asking a "stupid" question since he believed no matter who Ricardo fights or what they use, Ricardo has no reason to feel agitated. Later, Bill attended the press conference between Ricardo and Date.

Ricardo's enterance for his title match against Date

Bill holding the WBA belt in Ricardo's entrance for his title defence.

When Ricardo's 18th title defence match against Date arrived, Bill was his second for the match. Prior to the match, Bill told Ricardo he won't give him a strategy, asking to destroy him with technique and experience, and to show the people of Japan the true magnificence of boxing. After the first round, Bill noticed that Date had levelled up since the last time, but since Ricardo had as well, Bill instructed him to prove the strength difference had not changed in the second round. After the second round, Bill believed that Date probably had experience against fighters with very strong punches, with the experience being the reason that he was brought this far. After the eighth round, Ricardo wondered why Date still stood after taking so many punches. Bill replied to have confidence in his punches, believing that Date probably reached his limits, but he felt that Date has miraculous toughness, as if he has something that holds him up past his physical limits, like the dream to become world champion or revenge against Ricardo, however Ricardo disagreed. After Ricardo blocked Date's Heart Break Shot, breaking Date's fist in the ninth round, Bill wondered if they still planned to fight, deeming it foolish for his second to allow him to continue. The match continued into the tenth round where Ricardo downed Date and won the match by knockout, defending his title for the 18th time.

Part II[]

A Passing Point Arc[]

Bill was Ricardo's second when he fought an American in his 21st WBA featherweight title defence, winning and defending his title in the first round by knockout.

Go to the World Arc[]

Ricardo and Bill talking about Alfredo

Bill talking to Ricardo about Alfredo.

Ricardo received a call from Alfredo González before Alfredo's match against Ippo, requesting for Ricardo reconsider a second rematch between them if he defeats Ippo. Ricardo, however, did not remember who Ippo was, as he does not remember every name of fighters he has sparred with. After the call, Bill reminded Ricardo that Ippo used the Peek-a-Boo Style, causing Ricardo to finally remember who Ippo was.

Battle of the Beasts Arc[]

Bill Steward with Jose Nargo

Bill with Nargo in his match against Sendō.

With Bill's boxer, the Mexican featherweight champion José Nargo, having a match against Sendō Takeshi, Bill went to the Yokohama Arena to be Nargo's chief second for the match. During the first round, Bill quickly recognised Sendō's tiger features, comparing him to a sabre tooth tiger and wanting Nargo to show how the species became extinct. The match resulted in Nargo's loss by knockout in the eighth round. Bill planned to tell Ricardo about Sendō, seeing a match between the two likely. As Sendō requested for Bill to tell "him" back in Mexico that he would see him soon, Bill assumed he meant Ricardo and agreed to Sendō's request. However, Bill was shocked to discover that Sendō meant Alfredo.

Before going back to Mexico, Bill was asked to comment about Sendō's request to fight Alfredo by reporter Mari Īmura. Bill replied that Alfredo is not one of his boxers, so he wouldn't see him when he goes back.

Part III[]

Sendō in Mexico Arc[]

Bill recognising Sendō

Bill recognising Sendō as the sabre tooth tiger.

In preparations for Ricardo's next WBA featherweight title defence match, Bill went with Ricardo to the J.C. Gym for a public spar, where Bill was his second. When Sendō arrived to the gym wanting to spar against Ricardo, Bill let Ricardo know Sendō's ranking, causing Ricardo to be interested in sparring with him. Bill allowed the spar of three rounds. When Sendō downed Ricardo, who has never been downed in his entire career, Bill tried to stop the press from taking pictures and told them and Alfredo that Sendō leaned on Ricardo while throwing a punch, causing him to lose his balance. As tensions between Sendō and Alfredo raised, Ricardo offered the two to fight in a semi-final match for his own title defence match in Mexico City, offering the winner a title match against him, which Bill voiced his dislike of Ricardo making the decision. Driving away from the gym, Bill asked Ricardo if Sendō really did hit him, to which Ricardo thought it didn't matter. Bill revealed to Ricardo that he heard from a reporter that Alfredo and Sendō both fought against Ippo, who pushed Date in a match before, which he thought was good information.

Ippo in Mexico Arc[]

Ricardo, Bill, and Nargo watching Sendō and Alfredo fight

Bill watching Sendō and Alfredo's match.

When the weigh-in for Ricardo's 22nd WBA featherweight title defence match arrived, Bill went with him to the Arena México. The next day, Bill went with Ricardo to the Arena México and watched Sendō and Alfredo's match in his dressing room. Before the match began, Bill criticised Nargo's claim that Sendō's destructive power is the best in the world, thinking it as rude to say in front of Ricardo. While watching the third round, Bill mentioned how Sendō is a shining example of Machismo, and began to do mitt practise with Ricardo.

When Ricardo's 22nd WBA featherweight title defence match against the former WBC featherweight champion Billy McCallum began, Bill was Ricardo's chief second for the match. In the first round, Bill recognised McCallum's stance as the Detroit Style and saw McCallum as the real deal since he is from Philadelphia, where the Detroit Style got it's name "Philly Shell" from, thinking that it will be hard for even Ricardo to break the clam shell-like guard. As Ricardo attacked McCallum's left arm until the guard broke, Bill saw that if one can't pry it open, they can just smash the shell. After the match ended in Ricardo's victory in the first round, Bill gave Ricardo his belt before walking away from the ring.

Grim Reaper to the World Arc[]

Ricardo learning details about Wally from Bill

Bill giving details about Wally to Ricardo.

Despite Ricardo announcing to Sendō and Alfredo that he would give the winner between them the right to challenge him in his next title defence, it was decided that, instead of Sendō, Ricardo's next match is against the third ranker in the WBA and a former Indonesian champion, Wally. Bill announced the decision to Ricardo, since his match with Sendō got postponed, he wanted Ricardo to keep his fight sense sharp and prepare a strategy to go against Sendō. Ricardo was interested and ultimately accepted the decision once Bill mentioned that Wally pushed the Dempsey boy with just three matches in his record and has wildness that may surpass Sendō. Bill later informed Ricardo of Wally's record and details of how Wally fights, along with his likeness of boxing. Ricardo asked about his one loss, which Bill answered that it was from Ippo.

Alpha and Omega Arc[]

Bill realising the greatest weakness of his camp is that they let Ricardo isolate himself

Bill realising the greatest weakness of his camp is that they let Ricardo isolate himself.

Bill went to the Arena México and arrived to the ring with Ricardo to be his chief second when his 23rd WBA featherweight title defence match against Wally was about to begin. Bill noticed Ricardo having his attention towards Ippo, who is standing as a second for Wally and reminded him that Ippo and Sendō, who is at the audience seats, are not who he is fighting, but Wally. After the third round, Bill advised Ricardo to use the data from the past three rounds to trap Wally. During the fourth round, Bill felt as if he ordered Ricardo someone wild, thinking that he accidentally brought Ricardo a genius when the match was just for Ricardo to experiment. After the fourth round, Bill had the referee warn Wally about using the ropes too much. Bill told Ricardo at his corner how Wally's side has revealed his side's weakness: that they isolate Ricardo, as Bill believed that there is no one that can advise him. Ricardo, however, told Bill how maybe it is because he respects his decisions he makes, and that he has nothing but gratitude for his seconds.

Bill with Ricardo after defeating Wally

Bill with Ricardo after defeating Wally.

After the fifth round, Bill, predicting that Wally will be gambling it all in the next round, advised Ricardo to prepare himself and when he comes, ambush him. Ricardo declined the advice, as he planned to take the initiative, refusing to let Wally take the pace a second time. After Ricardo won in the sixth round by knockout, Bill and the other seconds went into the ring to accompany Ricardo. Bill told Ricardo that he did a good job but knew that Ricardo was bothered by Wally still being unconscious. Bill left the ring with Ricardo and his other seconds.

Appearance[]

Bill has the appearance of a middle-aged man with white short hair. He wears brown tinted shades.

Personality[]

Bill is somewhat of a cocky and intelligent trainer, just judging by the fact that when Ricardo was going up against Eiji Date he wasn't worried much. However when Ricardo hesitated to finish Date due to the fact that an unfortunate accident could occur, he demanded that Ricardo finished him. During the José Nargo vs Takeshi Sendō match, Ippo comments that Bill is known for being a great tactician. He believes the perfect boxer is a combination of science and violence. He mentioned that he felt elegance and technique aren't enough to claim the world, and that there are times when savageness to coat the ring in blood is required.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • His surname was originally Bill Stewart in the anime and manga, but was changed to Bill Martin in Round 1122 for unknown reasons, unless it is his middle name rather than his surname.
    • It was then changed again to Bill Stewart in Round 1275.
  • Bill is able to speak at least three languages - English, Spanish, and Japanese.

References[]

  1. Round 1407, page 15
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