Fighting Spirit: New Challenger

Fresh off another successful title defense, Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi continues to hold the belt, keeping his focus on the demanding road of a reigning boxer. At the same time, longtime rival Ichirou Miyata returns to Japan with his sights set on claiming a featherweight title of his own in the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation.

As new opponents arrive from beyond Japan’s borders, the country’s top fighters are pushed into unfamiliar territory—no longer simply defending their status at home, but proving themselves against the wider world. With pride and ambition on the line, champions and contenders alike step forward to answer the challenge.