The Conditions for Being Champion is Round 1319 of Morikawa Jouji's Hajime no Ippo manga series.
Details[]
- Title Page Character(s): Makunouchi Ippo, Takamura Mamoru, Aoki Masaru, Kimura Tatsuya, Itagaki Manabu
Summary[]
The Kamogawa gym members do not know the answer to Takamura's question on who the certain people are who will never become a world champion. Takamura points to Aoki, claiming that it is him. Aoki becomes saddened by the answer, as he already believes that he won't get the JBC title he is aiming for. Takamura tells everyone that if they put what he says more broadly, even Aoki can be a world champion, but the one who will never be a world champion are those that never challenge for it. Takamura also states how as long as one stays in the ring, their chance for a world title fight may come, and if one keeps fighting for what they are dreaming for, anyone can keep dreaming, but if they can't even dream, they should stay out of the ring. Kamogawa adds that there is a bit of luck involved as well, as other circumstances can prevent one with the power to take on the world to not do so. Kamogawa states that one can look at those who have world champion belts are those who are blessed with everything, but if one keeps polishing, they can advance with time. As Kamogawa concludes that good fortune one is blessed with can be also a condition to become world champion, Ippo remembers that the world champion, Dragon is known for being beloved by the goddess of good fortune, making him a dangerous opponent for Takamura. Takamura confirms that he is, as one would need to have more good fortune than anyone in history to defeat him, however, he believes that anyone facing him already has the worst luck in history. When Ippo went to Kamogawa's office, Shinoda asks him how Kintarō and Taihei's training has been going, as Yagi informs Ippo that they have been talking about letting them do their pro test and debut, requesting to know their weight classes. Ippo replies that they are not old enough to debut yet, but will be soon, and he will think of what weight class to put them in. Ippo mentions how lucky the gym is to have Yagi negotiate with Dragon on coming to Japan, however, Yagi notes that Dragon was happy to be able to play mahjong with the Japanese, making there to be no negotiations to be had. Yagi expresses how he wished he could put Takamura in America, as he feels that he would be a sensation in Las Vegas.