Chapter 498

Curses vs. Cheers
Chapter Info
Next	Chapter 499
Chapter	498
Previous	Chapter 497
Volume	55
Japanese Title	応援ｖｓ怨念
Romanized Title	Ōen vs On'nen
Pages	20
Arc	Dragon Slayer Arc
Episode	Round 13 (Season 3) (p.1-12, 14-19)
Issue	Weekly Shōnen Magazine #45, 2000 (cover date): October 18, 2000
Release (JP)	October 4, 2000

Curses vs. Cheers is Round 498 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo manga series.

Details

• Title Page Character(s): Shimakawa, Ryūhei Sawamura, Ippo Makunouchi

Summary

After Sawamura got up, the match continues. Ippo feels shocks throughout his body due to the use of the New Dempsey Roll hurting his body, however, Ippo is determined to use it as many times as it takes. Ippo attacks Sawamura's guard with jabs. Kawabe is worried that since he doesn't have a single person cheering for him and he loses the only thing he trusts: the strength of his fists, he will experience true loneliness. A punch lands on Sawamura's face, causing him to almost fall, but he was able to hang onto the referee. The gong sounds, ending the sixth round. Sendō observes that the New Dempsey Roll wasn't thought out of the blue, but naturally born through countless hours of practice, and while the two are like different species, Ippo has the advantage since he trains to give it his all when he goes into the ring, and he has the blood of a true boxer. At the corner, Ippo chooses not to sit. Kamogawa realises how damaged Ippo's body is even before he used the New Dempsey Roll. Kamogawa lets Ippo drink water, which refreshes Ippo, letting him hear everyone's cheers, and is thankful to everyone who has helped him. Kawabe goes to Sawamura's corner, telling him how he doesn't want him to lose. Sawamura responds by spitting on his face, remembering how he felt betrayed when Kawabe told Ippo to win. Sawamura thinks how he can only trust his fists, and that he boxes to make men kneel before him, determined to never lose and have that taken away from him. As round seven begins, Mashiba believes a comeback knockout from Ippo won't come, seeing how Sawamura's drive is from hatred. Ippo is determined to win, no matter what happens to himself.