Chapter 468

Theory of Dempsey Evolution
Chapter Info
Next	Chapter 469
Chapter	468
Previous	Chapter 467
Volume	52
Japanese Title	最終兵器進化論
Romanized Title	Saishū Heiki Shinka-ron
Pages	20
Arc	Dragon Slayer Arc
Episode	Round 8 (Season 3) (p.1-17)
Issue	Weekly Shōnen Magazine #9, 2000 (cover date): February 9, 2000
Release (JP)	January 26, 2000

Theory of Dempsey Evolution is Round 468 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo manga series.

Details

• Title Page Character(s): Ippo Makunouchi, Manabu Itagaki, Masaru Aoki, Tatsuya Kimura, Mamoru Takamura, Genji Kamogawa, Haruhiko Yagi

Summary

Aoki, Kimura, and Itagaki are excited about Ippo's mentioning of evolving the Dempsey Roll as Kamogawa and Yagi listen in on the conversation from afar. Kimura questions Ippo if the growth of the technique is already finished, as he was impressed when Ippo defeated Sendō and Sanada with a liver blow, Gazelle Punch, and Dempsey Roll combination, thinking that it couldn't have been any better. Ippo argues that he doesn't mean just growth, but evolution, since he believes that while the destructive power may have reached it's limits, the pattern is only effective against boxers who fight by moving forward like Sendō. Takamura adds that a counter puncher wouldn't get hit by the opening liver blow since he fights from afar. When Itagaki and Kimura asks Ippo how he will evolve the technique, Ippo did not know, disappointing the group. Ippo requests Itagaki and Kimura's help for his Dempsey Roll training, as they are out-boxers ho uses counters like Sawamura. After they agree, Ippo and Kimura get into the ring to spar, with Kimura planning to counter to show him that he can't rely on a technique with a huge weakness. In range, Ippo motions the Dempsey Roll, and Kimura figures out how tempting it is to throw a counter to such a steady rhythm technique. Kimura sees a counter chance as Ippo begins to throw the first hook, however, he freezes up and falls back. Aoki criticises him, but Itagaki realises that he also felt a chill to his spine when it was time to connect a counter after he got the timing down from watching. Takamura tells Ippo that it takes guts and confidence in one's skill to perform the counter. Ippo wonders if Kimura and Itagaki could get used to the timing, they could do it, however, Takamura claims that by the time they figure it out and have the guts to go through with the counter, his match against Sawamura would already be over. Takamura adds that the plan to evolve the Dempsey Roll is hurt due to Ippo having no way to practise, but he needs to do something or he will lose. At the Oniyaritome gym, Sawamura begins a spar while facing his body to the side, wanting his junior welterweight sparring partner to come at him. As his sparring partner rushes toward him, ready to throw a punch, Sawamura faces toward him and downs him. Disappointed by how slow he was, Sawamura kicks his head. Having watched the spar, Karil feels like he should kick Sawamura out for his attitude, but is amazed by his performance, since the Dempsey Roll comes from blind spots at high speed, which was why he turned away to train his sensitivity from the left and right directions. Sawamura requests for Karil to bring some "high-grade meat" who are fast. Karil accepts the request, but feels as if no matter how many people he beats on, it won't satisfy his hunger. At the Makunouchi Fishing Boat, Ippo has trouble thinking of ways to use the Dempsey Roll against counter punchers. He thinks that he could ask Takamura, but knows that he wouldn't be able to take a counter from him. He doesn't want to lose to Sawamura and refuses to accept what he does as boxing, however, he doesn't know what he can do.