Chapter 549

A Coincidental Event
Chapter Info
Next	Chapter 550
Chapter	549
Previous	Chapter 548
Volume	60
Japanese Title	皮肉な展開
Romanized Title	Hinikuna Tenkai
Pages	19 (WSM) 20 (Volume)
Arc	A Passing Point Arc
Episode	Round 20 (Season 3) (p.1-19)
Issue	Weekly Shōnen Magazine #2-3, 2002 (cover date): January 1-5, 2002
Release (JP)	December 12, 2001

A Coincidental Event is Round 549 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo manga series.

Details

• Title Page Character(s): Mamoru Takamura, David Eagle

Summary

Takamura is confused as to why Eagle won't go for the cut above his left eye. Eagle thinks that beating the strongest opponent he could find was why this match had a point, but the cut is nothing more than an unfortunate accident. He thinks that Takamura won't be able to use his full strength due to the blind spot and distorted perception. He believes that if he stuck to middle range and used one-twos from his blind spot, Takamura wouldn't be able to do a thing, and then the match would end easily, but that isn't what he wants. Eagle gets in close range and lands body blows on Takamura. Kamogawa doesn't think Eagle is making rational calm decisions, as he is fighting at a range that benefits Takamura, who has no depth perception and a blind spot, and wonders what he isn't aiming for his cut as well. Takamura pulls Eagle's head close to his to ask him if he is doing this on purpose. Eagle is confused, as he doesn't understand Japanese. Takamura pushes Eagle, purposely putting him in Eagle's ideal middle range. Ippo notices that Takamura, who is now even more angry, has a demonic expression now. Takamura goes towards Eagle with a wide right swing followed by a wide left swing, missing both hits. Eagle lands a left jab and right body blow combination. Kamogawa and the audience realises that Eagle isn't aiming for the cut above Takamura's left eye on purpose in order to have a clean fight. The fifth round ends, and at Takamura's corner, Kamogawa works on Takamura's cut and tells him that Eagle will be closing in for a close range fight, advising to throw more punches than the champion. Takamura expresses his irritation about Eagle wanting to fight at close range and not aim for his cut. Kamogawa tells him to cool down and he should be grateful for it. Takamura is irritated that Kamogawa wants him to be grateful. At Eagle's corner, Eagle's coach suggests for him to aim for Takamura's head in order for the match to not drag on for longer than it needs. He plans for Eagle to open Takamura's wound to let the doctor stop the match, as Takamura is a fierce fighter, so letting it continue is dangerous. Eagle tells his coach that he knows, but that was not what the point of the this. Round six begins, and Takamura has no blood above his left eye as his seconds were able to stop it. Eagle closes in on Takamura, wanting another close range fight. Takamura misses a large left swing, but he knocks heads with Eagle mid-throw. The referee gives a warning to Takamura for the headbutt. The impact causes a cut for form above Eagle's right eye, and it begins to bleed, with blood going into his eye. Takamura sees the cut and guesses that it can't be helped.