Chapter 552

Combatant's Heated Feelings
Chapter Info
Next	Chapter 553
Chapter	552
Previous	Chapter 551
Volume	61
Japanese Title	両雄の熱き思い
Romanized Title	Ryōyū no Atsuki Omoi
Pages	19 (WSM) 20 (Volume)
Arc	A Passing Point Arc
Episode	Round 21 (Season 3) (p.1-19)
Issue	Weekly Shōnen Magazine #8, 2002 (cover date): February 6, 2002
Release (JP)	January 23, 2002

Combatant's Heated Feelings is Round 552 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippo manga series.

Details

• Title Page Character(s): Ippo Makunouchi

Summary

Eagle and Takamura continue to slug it out. Takamura realises that if he backs off, he is done for. Eagle and Takamura both tend to go on in order to win it. They are both starting to get shaky, but neither is backing off. As the slugging match continues, it has become a contest on who has the stronger body and fist, and a battle of wills. Eagle's coach thinks that even though Eagle is struggle, it is the best fight that he has seen from him. He is inspired by it. They continue to trade hits, but the referee steps in to stop the match, and calls the doctor in for a check since both of them are starting to bleed pretty bad from their cuts. After checking out Takamura, the doctor looks down. it seems like he is going to call the fight, but Takamura stops him and tells him not to make a big fuss about it, deeming it only scratch. The doctor starts to disagree since the cut is deep enough to reach the tendon, but Takamura tells him not to be a wet blanket. He adds that losing an eye isn't that big of a deal since they are fighting for a belt, and they're fighting for their lives. The doctor starts to disagree again, so Takamura appeals to the crowd for it to continue. Eagle follows. The audience cheers for the match to go on, and the doctor reluctantly agrees to it. The referee continues the match, but the seventh round ends. In Eagle's corner, Eagle wants his coach to stop the bleeding. His coach has faith he can since he feels they are the best staff in the world, but warns Eagle he will have to cut him. The coach explains that he will cut along the corner of his eye to let the blood run off in that direction, making the blood not get in his eyes. In Takamura's corner, the referee warns them if the bleeding gets any worse, he plans on stopping the match. Kamogawa is worried the cut is too deep, and wonders what to do. Takamura tells him he is not going to let anyone stop him now, and wants to end the fight using his fists. Kamogawa vows to close the wound even if it costs him his life. He tells Shinoda and Yagi to get ready to help, but Takamura tells Kamogawa not to be in a hurry to die. The bleeding stops on its own, and Takamura claims that the best has yet to come, and that he will bring Kamogawa the belt. Yagi is in disbelief, as it seems Takamura stopped the blood by himself.