King vs. Tiger Arc

King vs. Tiger Arc
Information
Volumes	144-Ongoing
Manga Rounds	1484-Ongoing
Chronology
Previous	Judgement Day Arc
Next	Unknown

The King vs. Tiger Arc (王と虎編, Ō to Tora-hen) is the fifty-fifth story arc in the series and the ninth in the Bold Retirement Saga.

Sendō's goal for a match against Ricardo finally comes into fruition. Ricardo's 24th WBA world featherweight title defence match is against the challenger Sendō in Osaka. Ricardo prepares by sparring against OPBF featherweight champion Miyata, while Sendō spars against Ippo. Ippo also learns about Mashiba's condition after his defeat against Rosario.

Summary

Ricardo's Arrival in Japan

Sendō finding his grandmother on the floor.

After Sendō finishes doing roadwork with Hoshi in the rain, he returns to the Sendō Shop. After changing clothes, he checks on his grandmother as she didn't answer him when he came home. Sendō is shocked to see his grandmother laying on the floor unresponsive, pleading for her to open her eyes. At the Kawahara gym, while Miyata does mitt practice with his father, he is informed by his father that he is to go back to Osaka because Ricardo called for him to be a sparring partner. Miyata's father details that Ricardo is coming to Japan in two days with two sparring partners, however, since there's a chance they won't last long enough for the match, Ricardo wants there to be three sparring partners.

Ippo and Miyata talking on the phone about boxing.

At the Makunouchi Fishing Boat, Ippo is surprised to get a phone call from Miyata, who asks if he heard from Sendō recently since he isn't picking up his phone. When Ippo answers that he hasn't been contacted by Sendō, Miyata reveals to Ippo that he will be sparring with Ricardo. Miyata tells Ippo how he plans to use the Smash to see how Ricardo reacts to it and that he also plans to drag out the spar as much as possible in order to help his fellow Japanese. Miyata believes Ricardo is coming to Japan two weeks in advance to get used to the climate. Ippo thinks that Ricardo does everything properly, which Miyata notes that it is a big difference from the world champion from the other day. Feeling like the phone call has been going on for too long, Miyata wishes to stop the call, but Ippo wants to continue talking about his strategy against Ricardo. Miyata ends the call after mentioning how Ippo is only talkative when it comes to boxing, surprising Ippo. Miyata thinks that Ippo talks like he is the one going to fight Ricardo. Miyata also feels as if Ippo hasn't even left boxing and that it is like he is an active fighter still. Ippo feels down, remembering how Tomiko told him that Kumi can't help but associate him with boxing.

Ricardo arrives in Osaka.

The next day, as he gets off his flight at the Kansai International Airport, Ricardo, Bill, Nargo, and the rest of Ricardo's team arrives to Osaka, Japan. As Ricardo and his team gets ready to leave the airport, one of the team members comment how the heavy rain that occurred in Japan has cleared upon the Quetzalcōātl's arrival. Ricardo notes that it is just a coincidence since he can't control the weather, however, he adds that what he can control is what happens in the ring. Mari approaches Ricardo and his team, greeting them in Spanish. Bill introduces Mari to the team and he tells her that speaking English is fine with Ricardo and him. Mari recognises Nargo among Ricardo's team of twenty members, wondering if he is one of the sparring partners. Bill requests for Mari to explain the roadwork routes on the way to the hotel as they want to drop off their luggage and head straight for a gym. Mari is surprised by how serious they are about the upcoming match, remembering how different the other world champion was about preparing.

Ippo finding out that Mashiba has avoided death.

That night, at the Makunouchi Fishing Boat, Ippo gets a call from Kumi, who reveals to him that Mashiba regained consciousness and is responsive, relieving Ippo. Ippo wants to see him, but Kumi claims that he is still in ICU so it is family visitor only and he still can't talk yet. She states that she will call him once Mashiba is in a state to be seen, asking when he may not be available. Ippo claims that he will be away from Tokyo for about two days since he is going to Osaka for Sendō's world title match. Kumi hangs up as both her and Ippo become depressed.

Ricardo and Sendō meet during their roadwork.

The next day, Ricardo does a 3.5km/2.17mi roadwork route provided by Mari, amazed at the scenery, but remembers to not run too long due to the harsh Summers in Japan. Ricardo is shocked as he passes by Sendō, who is taking the same roadwork route. Both boxers stop running, and Sendō approaches Ricardo, glaring at him while cracking his knuckles. Ricardo tries to talk to him, but Sendō doesn't know Spanish. Sendō decides to do his roadwork elsewhere, but comments that since he now has a reason he must win, he tells Ricardo that the next time they meet, it will be a life or death battle.

A Legendary Spar - Ricardo Martínez vs. Ichirō Miyata

Miyata and Ricardo preparing to spar.

Later that day, at the Ōtemae gym, a huge crowd gather as Ricardo fights his second opponent in his public sparring session. The Ōtemae coach tells Mari how honoured he is to have Ricardo use his gym. He notes how different of a level Ricardo is at compared to his gym members, so they can't use this as reference, but they are still watching in amazement. Mari notices that Miyata is watching the spar while in an obvious bad mood. As Ricardo's second sparring partner looked too hurt, Bill stops the spar and tells Ricardo that he doesn't need to get serious since it is only a maintenance check. Ricardo reveals to Bill how he met Sendō in the morning, noting how he looked like he was all done. Bill realises that that must be why Ricardo is acting serious, but warns him to not get injured. Bill calls up the third sparring partner, and Miyata enters the ring. Ricardo wonders if Miyata will wear any headgear, however, Miyata points out that Ricardo isn't wearing his either. Miyata feels as if he is being underestimated, since Ricardo must be tired from fighting two other people, his weight reduction making him hungry, as well as he isn't wearing any headgear.

Miyata dodging Ricardo's motionless jabs.

When the spar begins, Bill remembers Miyata being ranked fifth in the WBA and WBC, making him a possible candidate for a future opponent. Ricardo moves first, throwing a left motionless jab that Miyata dodges with quick footwork, appearing at a distance behind Ricardo. Ricardo turns and throws more left motionless jabs as Miyata dodges by circling around him. Miyata and Ricardo throw a left at the same time, with Ricardo missing and Miyata landing his on Ricardo's block. Miyata and Ricardo throw punches that miss and get blocked for a short time until Ricardo slightly lands a left motionless jab on Miyata's face. Both boxers pause as Miyata decides to move up a gear. Bill is surprised to see another fighter in the Japanese featherweights that is on the same calibre as Ippo, Date, and Sendō. With faster speed than before, Miyata gets close to Ricardo, however, just as he was thinking about throwing a punch, Ricardo had already thrown his, almost hitting Miyata. Shocked, Miyata takes a distance. Miyata is irritated that his ideal style, which is to strike before, during, and after an opponent's attack is being used by Ricardo. Miyata gets hit by a left to his face.

Miyata and his father telling Mari that they will continue the spar.

After finishing the first round of his spar against Ricardo, Miyata is told by his father at his corner how Ricardo's speed is greater than his and his punches are stronger than Sendō's. Miyata's father mentions to his son that Ricardo has high-speed acceleration and braking, uses no superfluous power and has complete control, along with constantly attacking and defending while always doing the right thing at the right time with just the right amount of energy. He adds that Ricardo knows exactly what's needed, what's going on, and what will trouble his opponent the most, his ascertainment is first-rate, and his eyes are always observing, even while waiting for the next round to start. Mari tells Miyata and his father that Ricardo's side wanted to know if they wanted to end the spar early, however, they decline.

Sendō vowing to take Ricardo's world champion belt for his grandmother.

At the Namba Saiichi Hospital, as Sendō's grandmother is laying on the hospital bed unconscious, Sendō tells her how he did roadwork, won a spar against two people, and he has no problems with his weight. He mentions how Tora has been sad since he was always hanging out with her, pleading for her to come back home. Sendō's teacher visits his grandmother at the hospital to chance her flowers. Sendō tells his teacher how the doctor said that she fainted due to hr blood pressure, and that when she wakes up, she doesn't have much longer to live. Sendō mentions how his grandmother raised him by herself and made him the person he is today, wanting to pay her back by bring the world champion belt to her bedside. At the Makunouchi Fishing Boat, Hiroko thinks about how all the rain pouring down for so long is depressing. She then looks at Ippo sitting down and not eating his food, believing that he is even more depressed.

Ricardo's countless thoughts while fighting Miyata.

As the second round of the spar begins, Miyata plans to not hold back. Miyata soon gets hit by Ricardo's left motionless jabs. Miyata thinks how just as he was trying to set the pace, Ricardo was already there, thinking that it's not just a difference in skill level, feeling uneasy by something. Miyata steps back and wonders what Ricardo is thinking right now. As Ricardo is thinking about a huge amount of things, Miyata wonders how he can move and think at the same time as he was about to get hit for thinking himself. Miyata believes that hypothesis, prediction, conviction, and execution are being processed at almost simultaneous high speeds, thinking that it's only natural that there's a gap between them since Ricardo is doing the same thing as peeking into the future with his innate calculation ability.

Expectations

Ricardo asking Sendō if he can expect anything from him.

Ippo meets up with Mari at the Seagail Royal Hotel where Sendō and Ricardo's press conference is about to begin. Ippo and Mari come across Miyata, who has also come to attend the press conference. Ippo notices how Miyata's face has been damaged from Ricardo's punches during their sparring sessions. As the press conference begins, a reporter asks Ricardo of his impression of Japan. Ricardo claims that he didn't come to sightsee, however, he was taken aback by a castle in Osaka, deeming it marvelous. Another reporter asks Ricardo of his impression of his challenger and what can be expected of the match. Ricardo gives his comment, asking Sendō if he can expect anything from him. Sendō responds by glaring at him, leading Ricardo to believe it will be "that" kind of match. After the press conference, Sendō tells Ippo and Miyata to meet him at his gym in an hour and a half while he goes to eat. Ippo thinks Sendō should be resting at home, but Sendō claims that all he has to do now is to go to the ring, as no one is at his house anyway. Walking around Osaka, Ippo notices how posters for Sendō's match is all over the place and people are talking about it. Ippo thinks that Sendō is in his best condition.

One Round Spar - Takeshi Sendō vs. Ippo Makunouchi

Ippo, Miyata, and Sendō talk at the Naniwa Boxing Club the day before Sendō's match against Ricardo.

At the Naniwa Boxing Club, Sendō arrives with Ippo and Miyata already there. Sendō asks Ippo how Mashiba is doing. Ippo reveals that Mashiba has had a successful craniotomy, he opens his eyes sometimes, but he can't talk still. He adds that the doctors don't know where in the body the damage remains, so they'll try to see what they can find and have him undergo rehabilitation in the future. Miyata believes Mashiba's career as a boxer is over. while Sendō is relieved that he is still breathing, as well as finding it admirable that he was prepared to die fighting, wanting to follow his example. Sendō asks Miyata if Ricardo was the one who damaged his face. Miyata claims that he served as his tune-up partner for three days, and points out how Ricardo once knocked Ippo unconscious before. Sendō asks Miyata if thinks he can win since he has sparred against Ricardo and him. Miyata answers that currently the only person in the world with the potential to do so is him. Sendō is excited after Miyata said he could obviously win against Ricardo. Sendō asks what his chances of winning are, which Miyata answers that he wins once if he tries one hundred times. Sendō's excitement surprises Ippo, who thought Sendō would be angry. Fired up, Sendō wants to do a mass boxing spar with Ippo, promising to pull his punches. Ippo tries to ask Miyata to help him prevent Sendō from wanting to do it, but Miyata ends up getting Ippo to spar with Sendō for only one round.

Sendō being unable to move a clinching Ippo as he feels as heavy as a boulder.

As the spar begins, Sendō goes towards Ippo with a left and a right straight. Ippo feels like Sendō throwing full swings, but Sendō insists he is pulling his punches. Ippo pivots using his left leg to dodge Sendō's punches at close range. Miyata notices Ippo's use of pivoting, thinking how he has almost never did that as an active boxer, and is something that would allow him to quickly shift into the offence. Sendō wants Ippo to throw some punches instead of just dodging, but Ippo tells him that he isn't giving him a chance to. Ippo notices Sendō feinting his right, quickly blocking his face as Sendō lands a left on his block, lifting Ippo's feet off the canvas. Sendō repeatedly hits Ippo's block as the latter doesn't want to attack and potentially injure Sendō before his match. As Sendō launches a barrage of punches to Ippo's block, Ippo ducks under one of the punches and moves closer to Sendō. Sendō gets excited that Ippo is about to attack him, however, Ippo clinches him. As Ippo refuses to let go, Sendō decides to shake him off. However, Sendō is shocked that he is unable to move Ippo no matter how much he pushes or pulls him, as if he is a giant boulder. Ippo continues clinching Sendō as he does not want to deal with Sendō's attacks. Sendō is unable to get Ippo to budge, feeling as if Ippo grew roots out of his feet and rooted himself to the ring. Sendō believes that Ippo's foundations have gotten stronger since he was an active boxer. Ippo asks Miyata if it has been three minutes so the one round spar can end. Miyata claims he wasn't paying attention to the time, causing Ippo to call him an idiot, and ending the spar.

Miyata telling Ippo that undefeated does not mean undefeatable.

Miyata informs Sendō that his phone has been ringing for a while. Sendō checks who it is and rushes out of the Naniwa Boxing Club before telling them to watch his match against Ricardo tomorrow. Ippo tells Miyata that while Sendō didn't land any clean punches, his arms are still asleep from blocking them and that he thinks that if Sendō manages to land an attack, the 1-100 shot may come true. Miyata tells Ippo that Sendō was using his anti-Ricardo strategy. Miyata details how Date used intelligence and feeling against Ricardo, while Wally used his wildness and instincts to go against him from all directions, however, Ricardo still easily won. Miyata adds that Ricardo is a champion so strong that it takes multiple challengers to peel off many layers in order to find out what his weaknesses could be, baton passing the information to the next challenger. Ippo wishes for the baton that Date and Wally passed to be retrieved by Sendō, while Miyata believes they will find out if Sendō is the final runner tomorrow. Miyata tells Ippo that he believes "undefeated" does not necessarily mean "undefeatable," which Ippo agrees after admiring Miyata's profile.

A King and a Tiger's Thoughts Before the Match

Sendō's grandmother telling him that she wants to see her great-grandchild's face.

At the Namba Saiichi Hospital, Sendō rushes into his grandmother's room. His teacher informs him that his grandmother wanted to speak to him. His grandmother tells him that she doesn't have much longer to live, but she wants to see her great-grandchild's face. Annoyed, Sendō raises his hand as he was about to smack her, but his teacher stops him. Sendō tells her that she is being unreasonable since he doesn't even have a girlfriend. His grandmother points at his teacher, causing Sendō raises his hand as he was about to smack her, but his teacher stops him again. His grandmother believes that they are perfect for each other. Wanting to change the subject, Sendō tells his grandmother that he actually has a date with his legendary partner in the ring, and the man she raised come back to her as a world champion. His grandmother falls back asleep and his teacher suggests that she is okay for now, believing that she will wait for him to come back. Sendō is sure that the man she raised will come back here as the world champion. Sendō is told by his former teacher to go home and prepare himself for the match, believing that his grandmother would've said the same thing. At home, Sendō remembers holding his grandmother's hand and how small it was, thinking how that hand was pulling him along ever since he was young, and now with his hand he will take the world. He believes that the strategy is easy: he simply has to hit him.

Ricardo thinking about how exciting Sendō is.

At the Seagail Royal Hotel, Bill tells his staff that everything will go how it usually goes with Ricardo. However, Nargo points out how Sendō is a dangerous boxer and believes he has most destructive power in all of the featherweight class. While some of the staff argue about Nargo's opinion, Bill tells them that Nargo has fought both boxers, he believes that Nargo is right. Some of the staff remembers Sendō downing Ricardo during their spar, but thinks that that was an accident. Bill reveals to them that it wasn't an accident, but an incident, and is why Ricardo picked Sendō in the first place. He adds that while Ricardo believed that he dodge Sendō's punch, Sendō managed to graze Ricardo's cheek by a few centimetres, though Sendō broke his pinky bone in the process. He further adds that with Sendō being the most absurd boxer in the world, Ricardo took interest in him. Nargo claims that Sendō's wildness means that he will do anything to put his opponent down. Bill states how Ricardo's match against Wally was a countermeasure against Sendō's wildness, and, since the simulations are complete, he is running through the match from start to finish in his mind. Sitting by himself, Ricardo is surprised that for the first time he is unable to see what someone will do when the gong sounds to start the match in his head, thinking that Sendō is exciting.

King vs. Tiger - Main Event - WBA Featherweight Title Match - Champion Ricardo Martínez vs. Challenger Takeshi Sendō (WBA Rank 1)

Commentators rehearsing for Ricardo and Sendō's match.

Inside the Osaka-jō Hall, the commentator tries to train co-commentators Takamura and Date to emphasise the "ga" and "ger" in "omega" and "tiger" to hype up the audience, however, the two co-commentators struggle doing it. Outside, a huge crowd of Sendō fans are excited as Ippo feels like it is still very hot even though it is at night, wanting to be careful to not get dehydrated. When Ippo goes inside the venue, he comes across Takamura and Date who are getting drinks. Takamura and Date explains to Ippo how they were called in to be commentators for the match. While Date claims that he is the only one in Japan to cross fists with Ricardo, Takamura adds that since the one who got defeated by Ricardo wasn't enough, they also called in "the strongest in the universe" to give commentary from the perspective of the Gods. Takamura and Date start arguing with each other until Miyata walks by and points out that people are watching. Miyata has Ippo follow him to the audience area since they both got tickets from Sendō.

Sendō waiting for his match against Ricardo to begin.

When Ippo and Miyata sit down, Mari arrives to her seat, sitting next to them. Ippo offers Miyata and Mari water as he is worried about the heat. Mari thinks Ippo got way too many bottles of water with him, noting how he may not be able to drink all of them since the match should end quickly. Miyata and Mari believe the odds are stacked in Ricardo's favour. Ippo is unable to imagine it ending quickly and asks Miyata what he meant yesterday when he mentioned how Sendō was using his anti-Ricardo strategy. Miyata reveals that during their spar when Sendō pulled his punch mid-swing, it wasn't a feint like Ippo thought, it was merely a whim. He explains how Sendō just felt that the right wouldn't land, so he switched to his left to attack, adding that no one ever knows what he will do, and the accuracy of his whims or unnaturally high. Miyata adds that Sendō was easy to beat when he sparred with him since he fought strategically and used his head. Mari thinks that Miyata has the advantage if it is conventional and rational boxing. Miyata notes that Ricardo isn't even a comparison, as he will see through anything that is hastily put together and that when he sparred against him, it felt hopeless. Miyata adds that something has happened to make Sendō return to his original wildness. Mari claims that Ricardo already has a strategy against wildness as seen in his match against Wally. Miyata points out that Sendō and Wally are two different types of "wild," and that's one of the things that undermines Ricardo's incredible perception. Ippo realises what Miyata means: noting that while Wally is a primate, Sendō is a carnivore.

As the main event is about to begin, Ricardo prepares to head out to the ring with his seconds. Sendō sits down while waiting for his turn to enter the ring. While sitting, he is determined to bring the champion belt back with him to his grandmother and that the man she raised shall become number one in the world. Sendō stands up and gets ready to head to the ring with his seconds. The commentator tells the audience about the main event that is starting, however, he nervously stutters while doing so, annoying Takamura and Date. Sendō makes his entrance into the ring. Ippo notes how Sendō is wearing a hood that is hiding his face and how different his ring entrance is from his usual ones that had more vigor to them, but he notices his intense focus. Miyata doesn't think Sendō's ring entrance looked good, as he didn't respond to his fans' cheering and overall lacked fan service, however, he believes that it is for the better, as he is just following his instincts. Ricardo makes his entrance into the ring in a poncho and sombrero while his seconds wave the flag of Mexico in the air and holds up his WBA featherweight. Ricardo spots Date sitting at the commentator's area and lifts his fist up as a greeting, making Date wonder if Ricardo is too relaxed or just enough. Everyone stands as the national anthems of both countries play.

At the hospital, Sendō's grandmother and former teacher watch the event on a tablet. The grandmother remembers how her grandson was a troublemaker as a child, but now the national anthem is being played for him. The former teacher remembers scolding him for getting into another brawl and being told by him that it wasn't his fault. The grandmother is worried about leaving Sendō alone since Tora and her don't have much longer to live. The former teacher tells her that she won't let him be alone.

At the Osaka-jō Hall, the gong for the match between Sendō and Ricardo is about to sound as both boxers are ready at their corner. Once the match begins, Sendō and Ricardo touch gloves and then steps back. The commentator asks co-commentators Date and Takamura of their predictions for the match. Date states how the champion always takes the distance and scopes out the situation, so the challenger will want to secure a point advantage by forcing a punching match while the champion is still scoping him out. Takamura doesn't believe that Sendō is thinking about going for points, instead, he will go for it whether or not he should, even if it doesn't work the first time. Ippo and Miyata agree with Takamura as it is his nature.

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King vs. Tiger
Manga Volumes
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