| 1 | This is a list of shout-out references for ''Hajime no Ippo''. |
| 2 | ---- |
| 3 | [[quoteright:1000:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ippo_shout_outs_6.png]] |
| 4 | [[caption-width-right:1000:The more you read ''Hajime no Ippo'', the more you realize it's George Morikawa's love letter to boxing.]] |
| 5 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 6 | |
| 7 | !Real-Life Boxing Models |
| 8 | |
| 9 | The boxers of ''Hajime no Ippo'' have many real-life equivalents, particularly the world-famous boxing champions of history as well as local Japanese boxing heroes. |
| 10 | |
| 11 | !!Kamogawa Gym |
| 12 | |
| 13 | [[folder:Ippo Makunouchi]] |
| 14 | * First off, Makunouchi Ippo is definitely based on Creator/MikeTyson, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Patterson Floyd Patterson]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Mancini Ray Mancini]], and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Dempsey Jack Dempsey]]. He's also loosely based on the former WBC World Junior Welterweight Champion and southpaw boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuyoshi_Hamada Tsuyoshi Hamada]]. |
| 15 | ** Ippo is particularly Tyson-like when it comes to his Peek-a-Boo stance, his bobbing and weaving movement to evade counters, his [[CloseRangeCombatant in-fighting]] and [[RapidFireFisticuffs swarming]] specialty, his [[PintSizedPowerhouse shortness and limited reach]], and his MegatonPunch. |
| 16 | ** As for the "[[DashAttack Gazelle Punch]]", it's the same signature move of fellow Peek-a-Boo stance user [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/9038 Floyd]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKljF8Uu820 Patterson]][[note]](the 2-time world heavyweight champion from 1956 to 1960 and another heavyweight champion boxer trained by Mike Tyson's mentor Cus D'amato, who had also taught Mike the Gazelle Punch [[https://youtu.be/uxHERzmAd_g?feature=shared as seen here]])[[/note]]. In Chapter 155, "Gazelle Punch", Kamogawa teaches Ippo the old-school technique. |
| 17 | *** In Chapter 154, while Ippo is undergoing training for the Gazelle Punch by doing squats at the local swimming pool, Tatsuya Kimura mentions that Tsuyoshi Hamada does the same training as well. |
| 18 | ** Ippo's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liver_shot "Liver Blow"]] is also one of Mike Tyson's favorite [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-Hf9KcYU3Q techniques]] in light of his shortness as a heavyweight. When dealing with taller opponents, he'd either go to the body with hooks or attack upwards with uppercuts. |
| 19 | *** In Chapter 181, Coach Kamogawa also taught Ippo another Hamada specialty, which is how to punch with only 10 centimeters or approximately 3-4 inches of space[[note]]the same amount of space that Hamada claimed boxers could use to in-fight with powerful [[CloseRangeCombatant close-quarter blows]][[/note]]. |
| 20 | ** Makunouchi instinctively developed his own brand of Dempsey Roll based off of the SignatureMove of "The Manassa Mauler" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb6VZBl_xak Jack Dempsey]], a legendary boxer from the 1910s to 1930s. Incidentally, Tyson [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykH6_n1bzec idolized and emulated]] Dempsey's [[AttackAttackAttack aggressive fighting style]] as well. |
| 21 | *** In Chapter 420, Genji Kamogawa noted that, aside from Jack Dempsey, the Dempsey Roll was also used by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takeshi_Fuji Takeshi Fuji]]. Dempsey and Fuji conquered the world with the massively powerful technique, but Kamogawa noted that it isn't generally used nowadays. |
| 22 | ** This may be some coincidence, but Makunouchi and Hamada tended to have their dominant hands broken[[note]](Right for Makunouchi, Left for Hamada)[[/note]], and have their lead hands bring [[MegatonPunch devastating power]].[[note]]In Makunouchi's case, it's from him [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/1aqypay/rosario_cant_even_beat_a_vending_machine_ippo/ punching a vending machine]] then [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9o4Fzw4f1E taking out his anger on a heavy bag]] after seeing Mashiba cheat to win against Miyata. In Hamada's case, the sheer force of his punches broke his left hand [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsuyoshi_Hamada#:~:text=Hamada%20fractured%20his%20left%20hand%20four%20times%20since%201981 four times since 1981]], with him needing bone grafting surgery twice.[[/note]] |
| 23 | ** According to WordOfGod, Ippo is a mixture of Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini (former WBA World Lightweight Champion) and Mike Tyson (former Unified World Heavyweight Champion). |
| 24 | [[/folder]] |
| 25 | |
| 26 | [[folder:Mamoru Takamura]] |
| 27 | * Mamoru Takamura is a [[CompositeCharacter mix]] between his direct model [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinji_Takehara Shinji Takehara]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Duran "The Hands of Stone"]] [[GeniusBruiser Roberto]] [[ArrogantKungFuGuy Durán]] (who famously handed Sugar Ray Leonard his first loss). |
| 28 | ** Takehara is an inspiration for his height (185 cm/6'1") and his historical run as the first Japanese middleweight world champion. His career [[CutShort ended]] due to a [[GameBreakingInjury detached retina]] (an injury that's [[ContinuityNod repeatedly]] [[DiscontinuityNod teased]] in many a Takamura bout). |
| 29 | ** Duran is an inspiration for his background as a street fighter brawler turned world champion boxer, their {{arrogant|kungfuguy}}, {{boisterous|bruiser}} and [[HairTriggerTemper hot-headed attitudes]], and their shared encounters with {{animal|Nemesis}}s.[[note]]Similar to Duran who knocked out a horse with his bare hands, Takamura knocked out a bear with his bare hands. Both animals got back up after being punched and both boxers got injured. Injuries being Duran's hand and Takamura's chest.[[/note]] |
| 30 | *** While it could be a [[HilariousInHindsight humorous coincidence]], Takamura having his [[SlipknotPonytail pompadour busted wide open]] during important matches[[note]](like the Bryan Hawk match, the David Eagle match, the Richard Bison match, and the Keith Dragon match)[[/note]] is quite similar to how Duran's hairstyle was usually slicked back into a much smaller, cleaner pompadour but swiftly devolved into a hairy mess once he starts boxing. |
| 31 | ** In Chapter 233, Page 23 of the manga, Takamura is stated by [[IntrepidReporter Mari Iimura]] to resemble [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvelous_Marvin_Hagler "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler]] in terms of his balance of [[MasterOfAll strength, speed, and skill]]. |
| 32 | ** Considering his flamboyant style, freak athleticism, high K.O. percentage, and dream to go all the way from (junior) middleweight to heavyweight, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Jones_Jr Roy Jones Jr.]] may be another inspiration. |
| 33 | ** In Chapter 178, it's mentioned that if Takamura wins by K.O. during his belt defense against Atsushi Tamaki, he'd destroy [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Hidekazu_Akai Hidekazu "The Rocky of Naniwa" Akai's]] Japanese record of most consecutive knockouts since their debut match.[[note]]The match eventually became Takamura's 13[[superscript:th]] straight match with a K.O. win. As of Chapter 1,290, Takamura has won 26 straight matches with a K.O. win.[[/note]] |
| 34 | ** Takamura declaring he's going to conquer six weight divisions is significant because around this time, Oscar De La Hoya[[note]](who has been mentioned in the manga)[[/note]] hasn't become a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_boxing_sextuple_champions Sextuple Boxing Champion]] yet[[note]]much less Manny Pacquiao becoming an [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octuple_champion Octuple Champion]][[/note]]. If Takamura becomes a Sextuple Champion before De La Hoya does, he'd turn into a historic boxer in the ''Hajime no Ippo'' [[AlternateUniverse universe]]! |
| 35 | [[/folder]] |
| 36 | |
| 37 | [[folder:Other Gym Members]] |
| 38 | * Masaru Aoki has a punch called [[AnimalMotif "The Frog Punch"]], which made its debut in Chapter 148 of the manga. This is too ridiculous to be considered an actual boxing technique, right? Squatting down deep before throwing an uppercut is surely something you'd see in professional wrestling instead of a boxing ring! [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer Believe it or not, it's actually real]]. It's the real signature move of one [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koichi_Wajima Koichi Wajima]] (although it was more of a [[ConfusionFu showboating]] [[CherryTapping punch]] than a finishing move). |
| 39 | ** Aoki's general ring performance seems to be heavily inspired by [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Augustus Emanuel Augustus]], also known for his [[ConfusionFu rather strange fighting style]] that tends to heavily frustrate opponents. |
| 40 | ** According to Website/{{Wikipedia}}, Aoki's signature "[[LookBehindYou Look Away]]" technique is based on a skill that former World Middleweight Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_LaMotta Jake LaMotta]] had used in his career. |
| 41 | * Tatsuya Kimura's character seems to be at least partially based on former world champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Pendleton "Fearless" Freddie Pendleton]], who had been a journeyman fighter his entire career, yet was still able to fight on even terms with some of the best in the world with his high level of skill. |
| 42 | ** According to a [[https://youtube.com/shorts/Hq68MhmMCj0?feature=share fan]] of two-time heavyweight champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Witherspoon "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon]] that the actual person [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/10hse0r/this_is_terrible_tim_witherspoon_2x_heavyweight/ caught wind of]], Tatsuya Kimura copied his signature "Dragonfish Blow" from Witherspoon's signature overhand right. |
| 43 | * According to WordOfGod, Manabu Itagaki is based on [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/9110 Manabu Fukushima]], a former Japanese super bantamweight champion. |
| 44 | ** Itagaki also mentions idolizing the fighting style of "The Golden Boy" [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8253 Oscar De La Hoya]], another flashy boxer who's good-looking, popular with girls, and has a decorated amateur career[[note]]De La Hoya is a Golden Gloves champion[[/note]]. |
| 45 | ** Like Ichiro Miyata, he too is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali Muhammad Ali]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard "Sugar" Ray Leonard]] [[CompositeCharacter combined]], but in slightly different ways. This time, he has Ali's lack of [[DeathOfAThousandCuts knockout power]][[note]]Miyata is more of a K.O. specialist for an outboxer like Leonard[[/note]]. He also shares Miyata's [[GlassCannon glass]] [[FragileSpeedster chin]][[note]]like the comparatively chinny Leonard when compared to the durable Ali, whose number of career knockdowns you can count with one hand[[/note]]. |
| 46 | ** Furthermore, Itagaki is capable of doing the famous Ali Shuffle from Muhammad Ali. He even modified it into his own signature Itagaki Shuffle (a [[DefensiveFeintTrap Full Body Feint]] that confuses opponents on how or where he'd attack). |
| 47 | [[/folder]] |
| 48 | |
| 49 | !!Ippo's Main Rivals |
| 50 | |
| 51 | [[folder:Ichiro Miyata]] |
| 52 | * [[InconsistentSpelling Ichiro/Ichirou]] Miyata is modeled after [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/86811 Naoto Takahashi]] and has the boxing style of [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/269 Sugar Ray Leonard]]. |
| 53 | ** The direct inspiration of Miyata is the Japanese boxer Naoto Takahashi who's known for his comebacks in the boxing ring (though that's really more of an Ippo trademark) as well as his counter-style outboxer prowess. |
| 54 | ** His boxing style is further modeled after Sugar Ray Leonard (Miyata's favorite boxer), who himself is known as [[PintsizedPowerhouse "Little]] [[MasterOfAll Ali"]] or the UsefulNotes/MuhammadAli of the welterweight division.[[note]]This is due to Sugar Ray's defensive abilities, blinding speed, amazing knockout power for an outboxer, and win percentage against his rivals. Ray also took on the nickname of an idol of his, the legendary outboxer and probably pound-for-pound the greatest boxer of all time [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Robinson Sugar Ray Robinson]] (born Walker Smith Jr.)[[/note]] Both Miyata and Leonard were considered [[ChildProdigy boxing]] [[TeenGenius prodigies]] as well. |
| 55 | ** Therefore, the [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] between Miyata and Ippo can be compared to the [[UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny dream match]] discussions of Ali vs. Tyson. Or the actual rivalry between Ali and "Smokin'" [[WorthyOpponent Joe]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frazier Frazier]]. |
| 56 | ** Aside from being an ''Ashita no Joe'' shout-out, Miyata's "CrossCounter" is a notable technique used all the way back from the days of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young_Corbett_III Young Corbet III]], a boxer from the 1920s, and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Pep Willie Pep]], a boxer from the 1950s. |
| 57 | ** In Chapter 129, during the Miyata vs. Sisphar match, Payao talks to Chana about [[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5A96EKBlJeY "The Jolt"]] technique and how Miyata plans to turn it into the "Jolt Counter"[[note]]by putting his full weight on the front foot and falling towards his opponent with his full-body counter punch, using the opponent's face as his crutch. It's a technique that was also invented by Jack Dempsey[[/note]]. |
| 58 | ** Miyata's "Red Lightning" technique is a {{combination|attack}} of his signature "Jolt Counter", Joe Yabuki's "Cross Counter", and Date's "Corkscrew Blow". Because of how [[DifficultButAwesome difficult]] it is to [[DeathOrGloryAttack pull off]], you rarely see it. It's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_McCoy Charles "Kid" McCoy's]] Corkscrew Punch applied as a counter. |
| 59 | [[/folder]] |
| 60 | |
| 61 | [[folder:Takeshi Sendo]] |
| 62 | * [[HotBlooded The]] [[TheIdiotFromOsaka "Naniwa]] [[AnimalMotifs Tiger"]] [[BoisterousBruiser Takeshi]] [[BloodKnight Sendo/Sendou/Sendoh]], on the other hand, is a mix between his direct Japanese boxer model [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/52622 Hidekazu Akai]] and Canadian heavyweight contender [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donovan_Ruddock Donovan "Razor" Ruddock]]. |
| 63 | ** He has a curious anime-like, {{Shoryuken}}-[[Franchise/StreetFighter looking]] FinishingMove known as [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=798pX8ropJs "The Smash"]].[[note]]It's a mix between a hook and an uppercut designed to split through guards with its awkward trajectory.[[/note]] Was this an [[RuleOfCool improbable]] [[ArtisticLicenseMartialArts technique]] made exclusively for the manga and anime? Nope, [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer it actually exists]]. It's a huge shout-out to long-time Tyson rival "Razor" Ruddock.[[note]]Like Ruddock to Tyson, Sendo also lost twice to his rival Ippo.[[/note]] |
| 64 | *** In Chapter 88, after Sendo mentioned that he can use "The Smash", Aoki remarked that it was a "Sleek Water Uppercut" used by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J._Braddock James J. Braddock]] (of ''Film/CinderellaMan'' fame).[[note]]It's also a punch that Mike Tyson tried hard to learn. So Ruddock and Braddock shared the same technique that ended up becoming Sendo's [[FinishingMove Sunday Punch]].[[/note]] |
| 65 | ** The Japanese model for Takeshi Sendo is Hidekazu Akai, a famous junior welterweight boxer from Osaka. Sendo's other nickname of "Naniwa Rocky" or "Rocky of Naniwa" comes from him. |
| 66 | *** Sendo mentioned to Ippo that he's a huge fan of Rocky, with him being called "Rocky of Naniwa". Not ''that'' Film/{{Rocky}} though.[[note]]He meant undefeated heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano (whom he shares a [[AttackAttackAttack savage]] "[[RapidFireFisticuffs punch]] until one of us [[VictoryByEndurance falls down]]" and rather [[WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer simplistic]] caveman boxing style), not perennial underdog [[Characters/{{Rocky}} Rocky Balboa]]. Arguably a case of a double shout-out (triple shout-out if you include Akai). Sendo specifies that in West Japan, if you're a tiny bit good, they'll call you Rocky as in the movie one played by [[Creator/SylvesterStallone Stallone]]. However, he wants to be known as a different Rocky, the undefeated Rocky Marciano, instead of a fictional hometown hero.[[/note]] |
| 67 | ----> '''Sendo:''' Rocky is Rocky but not the Movie Rocky. "Rocky" from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Marciano Rocky Marciano]]. |
| 68 | ** Although it might be a [[HilariousInHindsight humorous coincidence]], Ricardo Martinez's biggest threat currently in the manga is Takeshi '''Sendo'''. In turn, the biggest threat in the entire career of Martinez's real-life counterpart, Ricardo Lopez, was his rival Ro'''sendo''' Alvarez.[[note]]Lopez had a close draw and a close split-decision win against him.[[/note]] |
| 69 | [[/folder]] |
| 70 | |
| 71 | [[folder:Ryo Mashiba]] |
| 72 | * Then there's ''"Shinigami"'' (TheGrimReaper) Ryo Mashiba. He employs the [[LongRangeFighter Detroit Style]] or the [[StoneWall Philly Shell]]. His signature moves are his [[RapidFireFisticuffs Flicker Jabs]], [[FinishingMove Chopping]] [[MegatonPunch Right]], and [[PunchCatch Elbow Block]]. He's overall a huge shout-out to legendary boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hearns Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns]]. |
| 73 | ** Tommy Hearns also possessed the same techniques, scary knockout power, boxing skills, [[CreepilyLongArms ridiculously lengthy reach]], and [[LeanAndMean lanky body type]] as Mashiba. However, Mashiba mentions that he has [[RecognitionFailure no idea]] who Thomas Hearns is when [[ExpyCoexistence Sendo mentioned Hearns' name]] back in Chapter 1,093. |
| 74 | ** Ryo swings his left arm [[SinisterScythe like a scythe]] in the anime, which is the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZwEm5PI8w same movement]] Hearns does to confuse his opponents before he does his elbow-first "lazy" jab[[note]]that he could whip out and turn into a body blow, an uppercut, or a looping left hook to the chin depending on how his opponent reacts[[/note]]. His [[MultiDirectionalBarrage option-select jab]] also helps set up his finishing blow, the Chopping Right. |
| 75 | ** Ichiro Miyata (the Sugar Ray Leonard analog) losing controversially to Ryo Mashiba (the Thomas Hearns analog) in a close contest ironically mirrors how in two matches, Hearns almost but never won against his rival Leonard.[[note]]In their [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard_vs._Thomas_Hearns first match]], Leonard got a referee stoppage despite Hearns leading on all judges' scorecards by Round 14. The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard_vs._Thomas_Hearns_II second match]] was a split-draw (one judge for Hearns, another for Leonard, and a third judge a draw) even though Hearns scored two knockdowns on Leonard.[[/note]] |
| 76 | [[/folder]] |
| 77 | |
| 78 | [[folder:Volg Zangiev]] |
| 79 | * Alexander "Volg/Vorg" Zangiev/Zangief (Александр "Волг" Зангиев) from Russia is likely based off real-life boxer and gold medalist [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuri_Arbachakov Yuri Arbachakov]] (Юрий Арбачаков)[[note]]who fought nearly all his matches in Korakuen Hall[[/note]] and fictional boxer [[Characters/{{Rocky}} Ivan Drago]] (Иван Драго) from the movie ''Film/RockyIV''. |
| 80 | ** He's like Arbachakov because of his [[TheChessmaster clean technical boxing]] he was able to show off against silver medalist and IBF Junior Lightweight Champion Mike Elliot, and also because Yuri's very [[SmallReferencePools well-known]] in [[BigInJapan Japan]]. |
| 81 | ** Zangief's FinishingMove, the White Fang, may have been based off of [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/10qw23v/sugar_ray_leonard_white_fang_combo/ a certain combo]] by "Sugar" Ray Leonard. |
| 82 | ** Wikipedia claims that Volg is partly based upon Russian-Australian boxer and former Undisputed Light Welterweight Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kostya_Tszyu Kostya Tszyu]] (Костя» Цзю)[[note]]who excelled as an amateur in the Soviet boxing program before going on to achieve even greater success as a professional[[/note]]. |
| 83 | ** When crowned champion in Chapter 1,007, Volg is shown wearing the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Boxing_Association WBA belt]], but in Chapter 1,008 this is corrected and he's shown wearing the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Boxing_Federation IBF belt]].[[note]]The volume releases reflect this change all throughout. It was the weekly releases that shows the error.[[/note]] |
| 84 | [[/folder]] |
| 85 | |
| 86 | !!Ippo's Previous Rivals |
| 87 | |
| 88 | [[folder:Eiji Date]] |
| 89 | * Eiji Date's comeback story after a long hiatus is reminiscent of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Foreman George Foreman's]] own return to the ring after 10 years of retirement. Foreman was also mentioned by Kamogawa in Chapter 189[[note]](during Ippo vs. Date, in reference to Date's veteran instincts in spite of his age)[[/note]]. |
| 90 | ** Meanwhile, his direct model is [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/2133 Fujio Ozaki]], who's also known as "The Japanese [[BoisterousBruiser Roberto Duran]]".[[note]]Both Ozaki and Date share similar features and facial hair as Duran in his prime. All three share the same HotBlooded personality as well.[[/note]] |
| 91 | ** Furthermore, his Heartbreak Shot (a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh6Uk5hvwl0 Corkscrew Punch]] to the chest) makes use of the signature move of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_McCoy#%22The_real_McCoy%22 Kid McCoy]][[note]]who in turn (might have) inspired the idiomatic term [[ClarkKenting "The Real [=McCoy=]"]][[/note]]. |
| 92 | ** Like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Hagler_vs._Thomas_Hearns Hagler vs. Hearns]] fight (short but action-packed) or the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Hagler_vs._Roberto_Duran Hagler vs. Duran]] fight (went the distance), Date makes a good account of himself to Ricardo Martinez in their rematch[[note]]by [[https://imgur.com/a/MPQRZ1u landing multiple hard shots]] on the champion despite the [[SelfDestructiveCharge foregone conclusion]] of their match. People remember it as a CurbStompBattle but Ricardo himself remembers it [[WorthyOpponent differently]][[/note]]. |
| 93 | *** Meanwhile, Date's two-round TKO first match with Martinez is reminiscent of the blow-out match of [[CurbStompBattle Duran vs. Hearns]], which was also a two-round routing of Duran by the hands of the Hitman. |
| 94 | *** The first Date vs. Martinez match could also refer to the two-round destruction of Taiwan's [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/1aml6n3/date_vs_ricardo_first_fight_inspiration/ Rocky Lin]] when he fought the real-life version of Ricardo Martinez, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uGrb4GDxJY Ricardo Lopez]], back in 1992 in Japan. |
| 95 | ** In Chapter 188, Kamogawa explains that Date's [[PowerNullifier Neck Spin]] was a technique developed in the Philippines to limit the damage of punches. It involves spinning your head upon contact with a punch to neutralize part of its power. |
| 96 | [[/folder]] |
| 97 | |
| 98 | [[folder:Dr. Kazuki Sanada]] |
| 99 | * According to WordOfGod, the Irish boxer [[https://vault.si.com/vault/1986/09/29/dublin-surgeon-terry-christle-can-also-operate-inside-the-ring-ropes Dr. Terry Christle]] A.K.A. "Fighting Physician", is the direct model for Dr. Kazuki Sanada, the doctor-turned-boxer whom Ippo fought in his first title defense. |
| 100 | ** According to the [[TheWikiRule Ippo Wiki]], Dr. Sanada is instead based on [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/002201 Salvador Sanchez]]. Before being killed in a traffic accident, Sanchez wanted to become a doctor. |
| 101 | ** [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Reitman Harold Reitman]] is another former professional boxer turned orthopedic surgeon whom Dr. Sanada could be based on. |
| 102 | ** Dr. Sanada has a specific FinishingMove called the ''[[AntiArmor "Tsubame Gaeshi"]]'', thrown with a right-handed body blow (usually targeting the guard of his opponent) followed up by a right uppercut going through the guard. [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tyson Mike Tyson]] used a similar move throughout his career, with it being his more famous combo. |
| 103 | [[/folder]] |
| 104 | |
| 105 | [[folder:Other Rivals]] |
| 106 | * Ryuhei Sawamura's "Bullet" jab is different from the flailing Flicker Jab of the Hitman Style. It's actually another application of Kid [=McCoy's=] [[DeathByAThousandCuts Corkscrew Punch as a jab]], with the user turning his body then rotating his arm and wrist repeatedly to produce [[DeathInAllDirections pinpoint supersonic jabs]] at his opponent. |
| 107 | * [[TheStrategist Keichi Take]] is a [[ConfusionFu tricky]] [[SouthpawAdvantage southpaw boxer]] from Eiji Date's generation that Date avoided and gave Ippo fits when they fought.[[note]]In fact, he exposed Ippo in ways that someone like Kenta Kobashi or Malcolm Gedo would. Take is another technically sound, strategic boxer that can make the straightforwardly aggressive Makunouchi look downright amateurish with his technical savvy.[[/note]] He's also a shout-out to a similarly technical and tricky boxer[[note]](though not naturally a southpaw but can switch into a southpaw stance)[[/note]] in [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/1414 Bernard Hopkins]].[[note]]Like Take, Hopkins is a highly strategic and defensive boxer known for carrying good speed and power along with counterpunching skills. Hopkins has also beaten the likes of Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, and Felix Trinidad. Hopkins even competed until he was 51 years old. He is the oldest man in the history of the sport to win a major world title, beating George Foreman's record.[[/note]] |
| 108 | * Antonio Guevara is rather reminiscent of the early years of legendary Filipino boxer Creator/MannyPacquiao. Both are southpaw fighters who rely on [[RapidFireFisticuffs fast-paced volume punching]][[note]](though Guevara uses his volume punching primarily to out-box and jab out his opponents with his right hand, Pacquiao uses it instead to in-fight and throw both left and right hands for his lightning-fast combos)[[/note]] and have [[RagsToRiches grown up dirt poor in the slums of the Philippines.]] |
| 109 | [[/folder]] |
| 110 | |
| 111 | !!Mexican Rivals |
| 112 | |
| 113 | [[folder:Ricardo Martinez]] |
| 114 | * Who could forget the closest thing this series has to a BigBad, [[ImplacableMan Ricardo]] [[Myth/AztecMythology "Quetzelcóatl"]] [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Martinez]]? |
| 115 | ** His combination of a [[AttackAttackAttack wild]] [[RapidFireFisticuffs brawling]] style [[StrongAndSkilled tempered]] with the [[DifficultButAwesome Sweet Science]] is quite reminiscent of real-life undefeated Mexican [[LivingLegend boxing legend]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Lopez_(boxer) Ricardo "El Finito" Lopez]].[[note]]In particular, they share the same [[SimpleYetAwesome refinement of boxing basics]], starting with Finito's [[DeathOfAThousandCuts surgically accurate]] "Ghost Jabs" or "Motionless Jabs" with no [[DidntSeeThatComing telegraphed tell]]. They're also both [[MasterOfAll counterpunching boxer-punchers]] who [[AwesomenessByAnalysis memorize the tempo]] of their opponents in order to better counter them with left jabs, feints, and perfectly setup combos for the right straight finishing blow.[[/note]] |
| 116 | ** Another parallel between Lopez and Martinez is the fact that Ricardo Lopez and Juan Manuel Marquez (the Alfredo Gonzales analog) [[RedOniBlueOni share]] the same trainer, Nacho Beristain. This means that they share the same [[CounterAttack counter-based boxing style]] as well.[[note]]The undefeated Martinez (based on [[TheAce Lopez]]) has the [[ThePerfectionist cleaner, more perfect]] boxing techniques and [[WorldsBestWarrior record]] [[TechnicianVersusPerformer compared]] to the [[HotBlooded wilder]] and [[BlindedByRage more undisciplined]] Gonzales (based on [[GlassCannon Marquez]], who's known to get knocked down in fights and leave himself [[RevengeBeforeReason more open]] to punches in order to [[LuredIntoATrap land]] his [[DeathOrGloryAttack counters]]).[[/note]] |
| 117 | ** As for his long win streak, this is reminiscent of both Lopez's 51-win record and the 87-match win streak of another (arguably more famous) Mexican boxing legend, [[MachoLatino Julio César]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Cesar_Chavez Chávez]][[note]]who had a win streak of 87 straight wins until it was broken care of a draw with fellow boxing legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Pernell Whitaker]] and a clean 89-0-1 record until his first loss against [[EliteMooks Frankie Randall]], who knocked him down for the first time in his career[[/note]]. |
| 118 | ** Ricardo is also reminiscent of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Sanchez Salvador Sánchez]] attitude-wise[[note]](he treats every round with stoic calmness)[[/note]], technique-wise[[note]](they share the same methodical strategy and hard Mexican-style liver blow to break opponents down slowly yet absolutely)[[/note]], and background-wise[[note]](he too grew up in high elevations, thus he has unlimited stamina to spare when in the boxing ring)[[/note]]. |
| 119 | ** Ricardo, like in the case of fellow undefeated legend [[InvincibleHero Floyd Mayweather]], said inwardly in Chapter 1,407 that he has begun to notice that the audience lately wants to [[RootingForTheEmpire see him in trouble]] so he'd [[MiseryBuildsCharacter struggle]] and display some HeroicResolve. When everything proceeds exactly how it's expected to proceed, [[VictoryIsBoring the arena cools off]]. |
| 120 | ** The lone knockdown Martinez suffered against Sendo during sparring is reminiscent of the [[https://youtu.be/QOYfycg-meY?t=510 lone knockdown]] El Finito got from his strongest rival, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosendo_Alvarez Rosendo "El Bufalo" Alvarez]], who also got him a draw. |
| 121 | [[/folder]] |
| 122 | |
| 123 | [[folder:Alfredo Gonzales]] |
| 124 | * As for Ricardo's [[ShadowArchetype rival]] Alfredo [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metztli "Metztli"]] Gonzales/Gonzalez, he might be the Ippo universe's version of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Manuel_Marquez "Dinamita" Juan Manuel Márquez]]. |
| 125 | ** Alfredo Gonzales' spine-tingling [[OneHitKill knockout]] of Ippo is highly reminiscent of the equally spine-tingling knockout Juan Manuel Marquez delivered to octuple weight class champion Manny Pacquiao in their fourth fight.[[note]]In light of the timing between the fourth match and this chapter (2012 vs. 2014 respectively), this time the shout-out might be [[Administrivia/SquarePegRoundTrope deliberate]], as the way Ippo slumped down [[HumblePie face-first]] into the canvas is particularly Pacquiao-like.[[/note]] |
| 126 | ** Marquez's K.O. punch to Pacquiao also looked like the [[{{Defictionalization}} Jolt]] [[LifeImitatesArt Counter]] from Miyata as well as Alf's counter.[[note]]However, Alf's version of the counter was actually a complicated series of feints leading to a knockdown counter punch. He then won the dual exchange against Ippo in the final stanza of their fight, leading to a knockout.[[/note]] |
| 127 | ** Gonzales is also reminiscent of Marquez in the way he [[SuperPersistentPredator insistently demanded]] a [[FinalBattle rematch]] against his own rival [[TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou Martinez]] (he'd lost twice before) after winning against Ippo.[[note]][[SecondPlaceIsForLosers Marquez]] had actually [[ShockingDefeatLegacy never "officially" won]] against Pacquiao until that [[BrokenWinLossStreak fourth encounter knockout]]. Before that, he'd gotten a [[DoomedMoralVictor draw]], a razor-thin [[VictoryByEndurance close loss]], and a [[OvershadowedByControversy controversial loss]], which led to him to [[SoreLoser repeatedly chase]] for rematches.[[/note]] |
| 128 | ** Another parallel between Gonzales and Marquez is how Gonzales ended up [[TacticalRockPaperScissors losing]] against Ippo's perennial rival, Sendo (whom Ippo beat twice).[[note]]In real life, even though Marquez ended up [[ATasteOfDefeat beating]] Pacquiao in their fourth match, he also ended up [[CripplingOverspecialisation losing]] against fellow perennial Pacquiao opponent [[DarkHorseVictory Timothy "Desert Storm" Bradley]]. Meanwhile, Pacquiao himself [[HesBack beat]] [[CareerResurrection Bradley]] twice after the Marquez K.O. (arguably three times, but the first match ended up as a [[SecondPlaceIsForWinners controversial win]] for Bradley).[[/note]] |
| 129 | ** He gets his name from former WBC Featherweight Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jhonny_Gonzalez Jhonny González]], who had several of his fights occur in Japan. |
| 130 | [[/folder]] |
| 131 | |
| 132 | !!Takamura's World-Class Opponents |
| 133 | |
| 134 | [[folder:Bryan Hawk]] |
| 135 | * Takamura's most famous rival, [[BrilliantButLazy Bryan Hawk]], has an [[ConfusionFu unpredictable style]] reminiscent of a brash and cocky [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naseem_Hamed Prince Naseem Hamed]]. Hawk is essentially a middleweight version of Hamed, with him throwing odd punches at awkward angles and swaying backwards to dodge. |
| 136 | ** His [[SmugSnake arrogant]], [[{{Jerkass}} thuggish]] attitude, [[BrilliantButLazy laziness when it comes to training]], [[StrawMisogynist misogyny]], viewing bloodlust and sexual lust as [[SexIsViolence interchangeable]], [[PoliticallyIncorrectVillain racism]], [[UnsportsmanlikeGloating controversial]] [[CrossesTheLineTwice statements]] during press conferences, [[HairTriggerTemper violence]] in and out of the ring, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking knockout punching power]] is quite like Nicaraguan ex-champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricardo_Mayorga Ricardo Mayorga]]. |
| 137 | [[/folder]] |
| 138 | |
| 139 | [[folder:David Eagle]] |
| 140 | * [[CavalierCompetitor David "Golden" Eagle]], as a gold-medal-winning "pretty boy" and All-American hero, is reminiscent of Sextuple Weight Class Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_De_La_Hoya Oscar De La Hoya]]. |
| 141 | ** They're both gold medalists and have the word "Golden" as part of their boxing aliases (David's "Golden Eagle" vs. Oscar's "Golden Boy"). |
| 142 | ** By how well each did against Takamura and discarding "styles make fights" for now, Eagle seems far and away superior to Hawk with his [[SimpleYetAwesome back-to-basics boxing]]. It can be considered a reference to how [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_De_La_Hoya_vs._Ricardo_Mayorga De La Hoya dismantled Mayorga]] in their match. |
| 143 | ** On a meta level, Takamura gunning to become a six-weight champion means he wasn't only after Oscar De La Hoya Expy David Eagle; he's also after De La Hoya's real-world record as boxing's first Sextuple Champion.[[note]]He might [[InSpiteOfANail rewrite history]] in the Ippo Universe by becoming Sextuple Champion before the De La Hoya of their universe could![[/note]] |
| 144 | [[/folder]] |
| 145 | |
| 146 | [[folder:Other Opponents]] |
| 147 | * Morris West is probably based on real-life WBA Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_East Morris East]], a half-Filipino and half-black middleweight boxer. |
| 148 | * [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Larry_Bernard Larry Bernard]] likely got his name from the first names of two championship-caliber boxers--[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Holmes Larry Holmes]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernard_Hopkins Bernard Hopkins]]. |
| 149 | * [[AwesomenessByAnalysis Richard Bison]] has a lanky body, a [[LongRangeFighter long ranged, jab-based style]], and a nickname[[note]]"Motor City Bison"[[/note]] that were all obviously copied from [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Thomas Hearns]][[note]]who's also known as "Motor City Cobra" on top of being "The Hitman"[[/note]]. Hearns and Bison are both African American as well. In fact, Bison is arguably an even '''closer''' {{Expy}} to Hitman Hearns than Mashiba is, who never even ''heard'' of Hearns despite using the same "Hitman" boxing style as him. |
| 150 | * Peter Rabbitson might be a shout-out to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meldrick_Taylor Meldrick Taylor]], a boxer who gave Julio Cesar Chavez fits when they [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIiOL292fEo faced each other]] in 1990.[[note]]Like Rabbitson, Taylor almost won a 12-round decision against Chavez had Chavez, like Takamura, not scored a late stoppage via 12[[superscript:th]]-round knockout.[[/note]] |
| 151 | ** Rabbitson's unusual name might also be a reference to [[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sugar-Ray-Robinson Sugar Ray Robinson]], but this time the "Robin" part of his name is substituted for "Rabbit". |
| 152 | * Keith Dragon takes some elements of Oscar De La Hoya, namely being a "Wrong Way Around" fighter (De La Hoya and Dragon were [[SouthpawAdvantage naturally lefties who benefitted]] from using the orthodox stance for better {{counter attack}}s, jabs, and other left hand power punches), and by being fun-loving {{Cavalier Competitor}}s. |
| 153 | [[/folder]] |
| 154 | |
| 155 | !!Miscellaneous Boxing Models and References |
| 156 | |
| 157 | [[folder:[=YouTube=] Boxing Videos]] |
| 158 | * After hearing endless references to [[RefugeInAudacity jet engines]] and the [[RunningGag Anti-Anti-Anti-Dempsey-Roll]] in the comments of his video breakdown of Jack Dempsey's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnG7PWGrx20 signature techniques]], "The Modern Martial Artist" channel looked into ''Hajime no Ippo'' and then made a Website/YouTube [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBEtHjlvz0g video]] discussing all the shout-outs and real boxing techniques involved in the series. |
| 159 | * Here's another [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw55Lyb1_x8 video]] covering the real-life boxing moments found in ''Hajime no Ippo'' by the "Official Hancho Boxing" [=YouTube=] channel. It covers many of the [[CompositeCharacter real-life]] [[{{Expy}} boxing models]] of ''Ippo'' characters along with their [[LifeImitatesArt coincidental present-day equivalents]] in Japanese boxing later on. |
| 160 | [[/folder]] |
| 161 | |
| 162 | [[folder:Places Referencing Boxing]] |
| 163 | * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korakuen_Hall Kōrakuen Hall]] is a shout-out to a real sports arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. It has hosted many notable boxing, professional wrestling, kickboxing, MMA, and Lethwei (Burmese boxing) matches. |
| 164 | * The Hachinohe Gym where [[GentleGiant Jason]] [[InconsistentSpelling Ozma/Ozuma/Osma/Osuma/Otsuma]] trains at is a real-life boxing gym nearby Misawa Air Force Base in the Aomori area. It also produced a real African American champion named [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/18953 Rick Yoshimura]]. |
| 165 | * [[https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2025_pension.html Pension Yoshio]] in Chapter 225 got its name from Japan's first world champion boxer, [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshio_Shirai Yoshio Shirai]]. |
| 166 | * The [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Mayweather_Bar Mayweather Bar]] is a semi-recurring place in ''Hajime no Ippo''. It is a bar located in Tokyo, Japan, where some characters go to drink after a match, or to unwind. It's also a huge shout-out to undefeated defensive wizard and controversial boxing figure [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Mayweather_Jr Floyd Mayweather Jr.]] |
| 167 | ** It most prominently appeared from Chapters 943 to 944, after the Peter Rabbitson match that Takamura almost lost on points. It's the bar where an angry Mamoru Takamura took on a [[UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny dream match]] of Japan's Boxing Elite--Eiji Date, Takuma Saeki, Keigo Okita, Takeshi Sendo, and Ryo Mashiba--plus Kumi Mashiba serving as witness to the [[CurbStompBattle one-sided massacre]]. |
| 168 | * Many places in ''Hajime no Ippo'' are named after famous boxers. You have the Tyson Steak House (named after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Tyson Mike Tyson]]), Marquez (the convenience store where Miyata worked, named after [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Manuel_Marquez Juan Manuel Marquez]]), Sugar Ray Bar (likely named after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard]] and/or [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Ray_Robinson Sugar Ray Robinson]]), Donaire Restaurant (named after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonito_Donaire Nonito Donaire]]), and De La Hoya Restaurant (named after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_De_La_Hoya Oscar De La Hoya]]). |
| 169 | * In Chapter 1,128, Sendo, his former homeroom teacher, and Ippo went and had coffee at [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hearns Coffee Shop Hearns]]. |
| 170 | [[/folder]] |
| 171 | |
| 172 | [[folder:Early Days Arc]] |
| 173 | * Unlike in the first episode of the anime, the first chapter of the manga has Ippo borrow a VHS tape featuring Mike Tyson knockouts from Takamura. The anime changed it to generic world champion matches due to a lot of controversy surrounding Tyson at the time the episode was made in the 2000s. So the tape is a shout-out to a real-life boxer in the manga, but not in the anime. |
| 174 | ** Both the anime and the manga later on talk about how [[https://www.youtube.com/shorts/eBLkY8mtij0 Mike Tyson]] got [[ExtremeDoormat bullied]] as a kid but then one day [[BewareTheNiceOnes lost his temper]] and [[UnstoppableRage beat his bullies up]] after they [[MoralEventHorizon killed]] one of his [[DespairEventHorizon pet pigeons]]. This then led him to discover his fighting talent that would eventually blossom into a successful boxing career. His story encourages Ippo to want to become strong himself so he won't get bullied so much. |
| 175 | * In Chapter 5, "1965 Uppercut", when Genji Kamogawa first teaches Ippo how to throw the uppercut, Ippo executes a perfect textbook uppercut identical to the uppers of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eder_Jofre Éder Jofre]].[[note]]Kamogawa remembers seeing Jofre throw the exact uppercut on May 18, 1965, when Jofre fought [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Harada Masahiko "Fighting" Harada]], the only boxer to actually defeat him, and twice at that.[[/note]] |
| 176 | [[/folder]] |
| 177 | |
| 178 | [[folder:Rookie King Arc]] |
| 179 | * The manga directly mentions [[WeakButSkilled Kenta Kobashi's]] most probable boxing model, the technical wizard [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxie_Rosenbloom Maxie Rosenbloom]].[[note]]The American boxer won 209 matches but only 19 of them were by way of knockout. In fact, Rosenbloom had such weak punches he was nicknamed "Slapsie Maxie".[[/note]] |
| 180 | ** The cross guard is introduced to the series for the first time by Kobashi. It's described by Coach Kamogawa as the signature blocking technique of American boxing legend [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_Moore Archie Moore]].[[note]]Moore won over 200 fights till his late forties with his tank-like blocking technique that could survive punches from the likes of the undefeated heavyweight puncher Rocky Marciano.[[/note]] |
| 181 | * According to the ''Hajime no Ippo'' official guidebook, Ryuichi Hayami is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_Camacho Héctor "Macho" Camacho]], the boxer who handed Sugar Ray Leonard's final loss before permanent retirement in 1997.[[note]]Like Hayami, Camacho is a decorated amateur boxer, winning multiple Golden Gloves championships. Unlike Hayami, Camacho never really had a losing streak (his 6 losses were mostly to top-shelf competition like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Julio Cesar Chavez).[[/note]] |
| 182 | ** Hayami's [[RapidFireFisticuffs Shotgun]] is reminiscent of the [[https://youtu.be/vBjUefvPkVM?t=253 Machine Gun Blow]] in boxing. |
| 183 | ** Meanwhile, Hayami fancies himself as a would-be inspiring famous boxing figure not unlike Sugar Ray Leonard and Muhammad Ali. Sports journalist [[IntrepidReporter Minoru Fujii]] outright compares Hayami's bad-mouthing of opponents to Muhammad Ali.[[note]]However, he notes that Ali backed up his braggadocio, which was what set "The Louisville Lip" apart and made him popular enough to become "The Greatest".[[/note]] |
| 184 | [[/folder]] |
| 185 | |
| 186 | [[folder:Class-A Contender Arc]] |
| 187 | * Keigo Okita is a [[MirrorCharacter carbon copy]] of Date, so most references to Date's fighting style like Kid [=McCoy's=] Corkscrew Blow apply to him as well.[[note]]So it's Eiji Date that's "The Real [=McCoy=]" and Okita who's the {{Sidekick}} of Date.[[/note]] He also looks like the [[{{Expy}} early prototype]] for Alfredo Gonzales's look design-wise, who also serves as the shadow to Ricardo Martinez. |
| 188 | ** During Okita vs. Ippo, Kid [=McCoy=] is acknowledged by Kimura in Chapter 121 as the inventor of the Corkscrew Blow back in the 1890s or 100 years ago. |
| 189 | * According to the ''Hajime no Ippo'' official guidebook, Takuma "Speed Star" Saeki's fighting style was modeled after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pernell_Whitaker Pernell Whitaker]].[[note]]He's more of a technically savvy, defense-minded, and speed-based [[LongRangeFighter outboxer]] who wins on points as opposed to the Miyata or Hayami type of aggressive outboxer who relies more on landing counters to get comeback K.O.s.[[/note]] |
| 190 | ** They both have the textbook outboxer boxing style of hitting while not getting hit, [[NonchalantDodge amazing dodging abilities]], and circling clockwise against an orthodox opponent (counterclockwise against a southpaw) while [[DeathByAThousandCuts peppering them with jabs]]. |
| 191 | * In Chapter 151, Ippo asks Takamura for videos of the legendary [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8119 Julio Cesar Chavez]], since he considers his fighting style the manual or bible for in-fighters like him. He wishes to review footage of Chavez to become more like him. |
| 192 | * In Chapter 152, Kimura's opponent in the Class-A Tournament for his weight class, Takeshi Ryuzaki, [[{{Expy}} looks like]] Hall of Fame Japanese boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Gushiken Yoko Gushiken]], prompting Kimura to think incredulously, 'He thinks he's Gushiken...!'[[note]]Gushiken held the WBA Light Flyweight title from 1976 to 1981, making a total of 13 successful defenses.[[/note]] |
| 193 | * In Chapter 154, while Ippo is training with squats at a pool to master a new punch, Kimura brings up how former welterweight champion [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/39805 Tsuyoshi Hamada]] frequented pools as part of his boxing training. |
| 194 | [[/folder]] |
| 195 | |
| 196 | [[folder:Challenge for the Throne Arc]] |
| 197 | * In Chapter 181, Minoru Fujii monologues to himself at length about the mechanics of doing the Liver Blow, and how its wide left hook telegraphs to its victim that it's coming (thus it serves as an opening for Eiji Date's "Heartbreak Shot"). |
| 198 | ** Also in Chapter 181, the manga references what Tsuyoshi Hamada said, "Only 10 centimeters (3-4 inches). From that distance, you have enough time to put all of your energy from your legs to your arms into [[EnhancedPunch your fist]]." |
| 199 | * On the opening cover of Chapter 183, George Morikawa congratulates [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joichiro_Tatsuyoshi Joichiro "Naniwa's Joe" Tatsuyoshi]] for winning the interim WBC bantamweight title against [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Rabanales Victor Rabanales]] of Mexico in a rematch from their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByWzZ8bFUUQ encounter last year]] in 1992.[[note]]Joe won via split-decision victory on July 22, 1993 and he was depicted as [[https://imgur.com/a/jb9yYDx battered and bruised]] while carrying his son.[[/note]] |
| 200 | * In Chapter 189, former heavyweight champion [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/90 George Foreman]] was cited by Coach Kamogawa as saying, [[TaughtByExperience "There's no shame in aging."]][[note]]Even at Age 40, [[ZenSurvivor Foreman]] continued to fight and read his [[BatmanGambit young opponents' emotions]] on his way to K.O. victories. This was what [[OldSoldier Date]] did to Ippo to enable him to predict his movements and do techniques like his Neck Spin.[[/note]] |
| 201 | [[/folder]] |
| 202 | |
| 203 | [[folder:Road Back Arc]] |
| 204 | * In Chapter 209, Makunouchi Ippo watches more of Tyson's videos, marveling at his speed, and mentions having also observed [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/000080 Roberto Duran]] and [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/8119 Julio Cesar Chavez]]. Nevertheless, [[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mike-Tyson Mike Tyson]] proves the best model for Ippo for his comeback fight.[[note]]It's because, according to him, Tyson is small for his weight class and regularly fought bigger men like he did. From there, Ippo starts emulating Tyson's head-bobbing movements.[[/note]] |
| 205 | * Chapter 213, "Classic Blow", or Episode 62 of the first season anime marks the first appearance of the Dempsey Roll, which Ippo used against its first victim, Ponchai Chuwatana (พรชัย ชูวัฒนา) from Thailand.[[note]]It was born out of Ippo's need to defend himself while attacking at the same time, allowing him to evade counters while on the offensive.[[/note]] |
| 206 | ** It was actually Minoru Fujii who first realized Ippo's movements were like [[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jack-Dempsey Jack Dempsey's]]. |
| 207 | ** Kamogawa also realized that Ippo's [[UnblockableAttack guard-crushing blows]] originated from TheRoaringTwenties and American Boxing. Ippo accidentally rediscovered [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique The Dempsey Roll]] while the coach recuperated in the hospital from overwork. |
| 208 | * Chapter 214 was titled "Mike Performance" to show that Ippo had a Tyson-like performance in the ring after knocking out Ponchai in Round 2 with the Dempsey Roll.[[note]]It becomes a different kind of performance, a [[ThrowingDownTheGauntlet "Mic Performance"]], later with the appearance of Sendo armed with a live microphone so he could challenge Ippo for a rematch.[[/note]] |
| 209 | ** Fujii explains he'd only seen the Dempsey Roll on black-and-white archival footage, which probably means he watched the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3BTycNuY44 Jack Dempsey vs. Jess Willard]] match. |
| 210 | ** Meanwhile, Genji Kamogawa outright remembers the Dempsey Roll, since he belongs to the generation who still remembers the move and the man behind it.[[note]]Genji was roughly born around the time when the legendary Jack Dempsey was still an active boxer from the 1910s to 1940, the year he retired.[[/note]] |
| 211 | ** Fujii also mentions [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/35411 Takeshi Fuji]], a Hawaiian-born Japanese boxer and former Lineal WBA and WBC Super Lightweight Champion who also used the Dempsey Roll when he was an active boxer in the 1960s. |
| 212 | [[/folder]] |
| 213 | |
| 214 | [[folder:Mountain Training Arc]] |
| 215 | * In Vol. 26, the volume insert cover features a running [[CanineCompanion Hachi]] beside Ippo, who's wearing a "Joe is Back" t-shirt. The shirt refers to the comeback match of [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Joechiro_Tatsuyoshi Joechiro Tatsuyoshi]] in Hawaii in 1994, where he defeated his opponent, [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/1679 Josefino Suarez]], in just three rounds after being almost forced to retire because of a detached left retina received in his previous match with Victor Rabanales. |
| 216 | * In Chapter 224, Kamogawa comments on Sendo's insane match schedule, where he has a match every two months. He says it reminds him of the match pace of Julio Cesar Chavez, who was mentioned to have an 87-win streak and 75 knockouts[[note]](so that means the chapter was ''supposed to be'' set before or after his draw with Pernell Whitaker in 1993)[[/note]]. He had his legendary record because of the high volume of title and non-title matches he had.[[note]]The Ippo Wiki lists the date of Eiji Date's match with Jeff Brooks on the same chapter as August 1992, which results in a ContinuitySnarl because on that same date, Chavez should've instead had an 81-win streak, with Frankie Mitchell being his 81[[superscript:st]] conquest on August 1992.[[/note]] |
| 217 | * In Chapter 225, when Ginpachi Nekota saw Kimura and Aoki, he [[MistakenIdentity mistakes]] [[https://i.imgur.com/a5wEYVR.jpeg them]] for Junior Flyweight "Charlie Dognos" and Strawweight "Rocky Lynne". |
| 218 | ** [[InconsistentSpelling Charlie Dognos/Charlito Degnos]] might refer to Filipino boxer [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/2845 Charlito/Titing "Boy Birador" Dignos]]. In 1992, he fought a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjT8l2dlUPc memorable bout]] in Japan against fellow Filipino[[note]]and Ricardo Lopez victim[[/note]] [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/4204 Andy "Otsuka" Tabanas]].[[note]]Back in 1984, he also lost against future world champion [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/460 Luisito Espinosa]] early on in their careers. He even has a boxer relative also named [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/321169 Charlito Dignos]] as well. He is currently a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjwOI6N6Ssc boxing coach]] with his own [[https://www.youtube.com/@charlitodignos5017 YouTube channel]].[[/note]] |
| 219 | ** Rocky Lynne is probably a reference to [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/1236 Rocky Lin]], who was a [[https://www.asianboxing.info/features/rocky-lin-the-hero-of-taiwan popular Taiwanese boxer]] that regularly fought in Japan.[[note]]One of his most notable matches was against the undefeated Ricardo Lopez in Japan at Kōrakuen Hall on October 11, 1992, where he lost in the 2[[superscript:nd]] round. The Lopez match was 1 of only 2 losses Rocky Lin suffered throughout his 10-year career, leaving him with a record of 26 wins and 2 losses.[[/note]] |
| 220 | ** Also in Chapter 225, Kamogawa and Ippo discuss how Jack Dempsey had to force opponents to back away in order for him to use the Dempsey Roll and how difficult it is to make a boxer like Sendo retreat. |
| 221 | * In Chapter 226, Nekota namedrops George Foreman, Floyd Patterson, and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Armstrong Henry Armstrong]] as boxers who do old-school training like chopping wood. Muhammad Ali also chopped wood after losing in [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ali_vs._Leon_Spinks an upset]] to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Spinks Leon Spinks]].[[note]]For a heavyweight, Ali lacked Foreman-like power, so he needed training that would give him the strength to push through the young guns. Cutting wood is what raised Ali's punching power.[[/note]] |
| 222 | ** Nekota also discusses his [[https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/dementia-pugilistica Punch Drunk syndrome]] or [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy CTE]] in this chapter. This syndrome involves impairment of motor skills, loss of coordination, memory loss, and slurred speech. It's a common condition among boxers who've taken too many punches to the head. |
| 223 | * In Chapter 228, Kamogawa and Nekota discuss feints and how the most effective feints look like a real punch because they use KillingIntent. It also references how legendary old-timey Japanese boxers like [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/48352 Tsuneo]] [[https://www.asianboxing.info/miscellaneous/the-story-of-piston-horiguchi "Piston" Horiguchi]] fought at least 4 times a day.[[note]]Piston Honda/Hondo from ''VideoGame/PunchOut'' might be based on Horiguchi.[[/note]] |
| 224 | [[/folder]] |
| 225 | |
| 226 | [[folder:Miyata's OPBF Enemies]] |
| 227 | * Miyata's "Jolt Counter" against Jimmy Sisphar and Arnie Gregory, Sisphar's "Jolt Blow" and "Tornado Jolt" that were based on it, and everything else described with the word "Jolt" comes from a technique developed by [[AttackAttackAttack aggression master]] Jack Dempsey himself called [[DesperationAttack "The Jolt"]].[[note]]Also known as the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqieQiJD608 "Falling Step" punching technique]], it's a powerful full-body punch that involves making yourself lean forward off-balance and catching yourself short from falling face-first through using your fist to your opponent's face or body as a supportive crutch so that your punch is powered by the entirety of your body weight.[[/note]] |
| 228 | ** In Chapter 128 (released back in 1992), there's a mention of Tyson fighting third-rate boxers in relation to the 30-to-1 odds for Miyata fighting Jimmy Sisphar.[[note]]The [[DavidVersusGoliath Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas]] upset happened just two years ago in 1990.[[/note]] |
| 229 | * Mr. Sakaguchi, the (half-)Filipino manager of the OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation), is most likely based on controversial promoter [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_King Don King]], right down to the [[MemeticHair crazy hair]]. King was best known for promoting [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrilla_in_Manila "The Thrilla in Manila"]][[note]]The grueling rubber match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the hot capital of the Philippines that almost took the souls of both men before Ali won the War of Attrition[[/note]] and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rumble_in_the_Jungle "The Rumble in the Jungle"]][[note]]Ali versus George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire where Ali showed the "Rope-a-Dope" technique for the first time before scoring the K.O. victory[[/note]]. |
| 230 | * [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Arnie_Gregory Arnie Gregory]] is an Aussie boxer who Miyata claims resembles Tatsuya Kimura style-wise but also has Ippo's power and aggression for good measure. He also resembles three-weight champion and fellow Australian [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Fenech Jeff "Marickville Mauler" Fenech]]. |
| 231 | * Thai boxer [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Medgoen_Dachboy Medgoen Dachboy]] (เม็ดเงิน ดัชบอย) is based on real-life Thai boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medgoen_Singsurat Medgoen Singsurat]] (เม็ดเงิน 3เคแบตเตอรี่), who famously knocked Manny Pacquiao out early in his career. Meanwhile, his last name is taken from the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Boy_Paint Dutch Boy Paint]] brand, a popular paint brand in Southeast Asia. |
| 232 | ** He could also be named after [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samson_Dutch_Boy_Gym Samson Dutch Boy Gym]] (แซมซั่น ดัทช์บอยยิม), which is one of the ring names of former Muay Thai practitioner turned super flyweight boxing champion Somboon Phantasi (สมบุญ พานตะสี). |
| 233 | * The [[HeroicAmbidexterity ambidextrous switch-hitter]][[note]]meaning he can fight in both orthodox and southpaw stances[[/note]] Randy Boy Jr. is most likely based on fellow Filipino switch-hitter [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonito_Donaire Nonito Donaire Jr.]] |
| 234 | ** You can also consider famous switch-hitting southpaw tank [[MightyGlacier Marvin Hagler]] as another inspiration for good measure.[[note]]Hagler defeated nearly all of his fellow Four Kings of Boxing (Thomas Hearns and Roberto Duran) save for one (Sugar Ray Leonard). It was just like how RBJ also fell against the Leonard analog of ''Hajime no Ippo'', Ichiro Miyata.[[/note]] |
| 235 | ** Randy Boy Jr.'s name is also reminiscent of the name of athletic freak and multi-weight boxing champion Roy Jones Jr., who also sometimes switched to southpaw to find other avenues of attack and confuse his opponents too. |
| 236 | * There's also Filipino boxer [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Luisito_Ico Luisito Ico]], who is likely based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luisito_Espinosa Luisito Espinosa]][[note]]'''Full Name:''' Luisito ''Pio'' Espinosa; '''Ring Name:''' ''Lindol'' (Earthquake)[[/note]], a two-weight-class champion who was active in the [[TheNineties 1990s]]. |
| 237 | [[/folder]] |
| 238 | |
| 239 | [[folder:Survival Match of Asian Champions Saga]] |
| 240 | * Thailand champion Jimmy Sisphar/Sisfa/Srifaa (จิมมี่ ศรีฟ้า) or Scratch J is based on real-life Thai boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaosai_Galaxy Khaosai Galaxy]] (เขาทราย แกแล็คซี่). Like Khaosai, Sisphar shifted from Muay Thai to boxing. |
| 241 | ** Sisphar also looks a lot like a [[InkSuitActor young Khaosai]] when he first faced off against Miyata, before he changed his boxing style, got multiple face scars, and grew his hair long. |
| 242 | * Philippine champion Malcolm Gedo likely got his first name from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Tunacao Malcolm Tuñacao]], a former Filipino WBC World Flyweight Champion. |
| 243 | ** Gedo also represents many of the traits and worst criticisms of defensive counterpunching [[StoneWall genius]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Mayweather_Jr Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr.]] He is [[BaldHeadOfToughness bald]], is obsessed with [[OnlyInItForTheMoney money]], had a rough [[StreetSmart upbringing]], is mostly [[NonchalantDodge defensive]], [[CombatPragmatist knows]] all the [[BaitAndSwitch tricks]] of the [[RedHerring trade]], and his punches [[WeakButSkilled lack power]][[note]](in Floyd's case, it's because he has injured his hands in the past and he's fighting at weight classes way above his own; in Malcolm's case, it's because he uses his loose glove to slap the face of his opponent)[[/note]]. |
| 244 | * Like Bryan Hawk, the [[TheScrappy infamous]] [[WildChild Woli/Wally/Warlee]] from Indonesia is likely based on Prince Naseem Hamed as well, particularly when it comes to his weight class, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azEatWLF9hI otherworldly agility]], strange apparel like the grass skirt over boxing trunks, and tendency to do [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxggvBoX7X0 front or back flips]]. |
| 245 | ** How Ricardo Martinez [[TechnicianVersusPerformer neutralizes]] the wildness and random antics of Wally with pure boxing, in turn, is reminiscent of the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgXJ8xeckNM first and only loss]] Naseem Hamed suffered against Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera. |
| 246 | ** Ricardo vs. Wally also mirrored the events of Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV.[[note]]The similarly athletically gifted Southeast Asian Manny Pacquiao was also keeping up with his Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez for 6 rounds in their fourth bout before losing via [[CounterAttack brutal counterpunch K.O.]][[/note]] |
| 247 | [[/folder]] |
| 248 | |
| 249 | [[folder:Speed Zone Arc]] |
| 250 | * Peter Rabbitson's 12-round [[NonchalantDodge dominance]] of Takamura in Chapter 942, only to be stopped by a late K.O. in the 12[[superscript:th]] round, is reminiscent of [[InvincibleHero Julio Cesar Chavez]] vs. [[FragileSpeedster Meldrick Taylor]], a match billed as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Cesar_Chavez_vs._Meldrick_Taylor "Thunder Meets Lightning"]].[[note]]Meldrick's hand speed and defense allowed him to [[NotSoInvincibleAfterAll secure a lead]] on the scorecards, but then [[HeroicSecondWind Chavez eventually knocked Taylor out]] in the final round.[[/note]] |
| 251 | * In Chapter 964, "Shuffle Time", during Takuma Saeki vs. Manabu Itagaki, Itagaki does the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YkgpYiMV6w Ali Shuffle]]. It's described by Kamogawa as a showboating move that's a combined threat, distraction, and provocation.[[note]]As the match continues, Manabu creates his own Itagaki Shuffle variant wherein his random actions act like a Full Body Feint by reflex.[[/note]] |
| 252 | * In Chapter 981, during discussions of Ippo's upcoming fight against Alfredo Gonzales, Tatsuya Kimura namedrops multiple Mexican champions: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Zarate_Serna Zarate]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupe_Pintor Pintor]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicente_Saldivar Saldivar]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfonso_Zamora Zamora]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Cesar_Chavez Chavez]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Luis_Castillo Castillo]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Sanchez Sanchez]], and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_Olivares Olivares]]. |
| 253 | [[/folder]] |
| 254 | |
| 255 | [[folder:Unsorted Characters and References]] |
| 256 | * The [[EliteFour "Ippo Generation"]] of Japanese blue-chip prospects[[note]]composed of Ippo, Mashiba, Miyata, and Sendo[[/note]] seems like a send-up to the Four Kings of Boxing back in the 1980s[[note]]composed of Leonard, Duran, Hearns, and Hagler[[/note]]. These rookie kings ended up becoming world championship contenders in their own right. To wit: |
| 257 | ** [[MegatonPunch Ippo Makunouchi]] is Roberto "Hands of Stone" Duran for his knockout power and in-fighting prowess. |
| 258 | ** [[FragileSpeedster Ichiro Miyata]] is "Sugar" Ray Leonard for his dancer-like outboxing abilities and comeback kayos. |
| 259 | ** [[MadeOfIron Takeshi Sendo]] is "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler for his granite chin and tank-like abilities while having howitzers for hands (particularly the lead one). |
| 260 | ** [[LongRangeFighter Ryo Mashiba]] is Thomas "Hitman" Hearns for his long reach and ability to cut down his opponent with a thousand jabs. |
| 261 | ** [[SixthRanger Volg Zangiev]] is Aaron "The Hawk" Pryor for almost becoming part of the Ippo Generation were he a Japanese prospect himself and having a [[AwesomenessByAnalysis tactical match]] against [[DesignatedVillain Mike Elliot]][[note]]that resembles Pryor's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Pryor_vs._Alexis_Arguello iconic match]] against fellow boxing legend Alexis "The Explosive Thin Man" Arguello, which Ring Magazine named as "Fight of the Decade"[[/note]]. |
| 262 | * One of the OPBF featherweight boxers Eiji Date fought in the 1980s is known as [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Thomson_Penalosa Thomson Peñalosa]], whose homeland is never mentioned. However, it can easily be deduced that the fellow is Filipino and is based on former WBO bantamweight champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Penalosa Gerry Peñalosa]] from the Philippines, who was active in the 1990s when Morikawa was first writing about Date's exploits. |
| 263 | * Only in the Philippines' Tagalog dub of ''Hajime no Ippo'' (known over there as ''[[AdaptationTitleChange Knockout]]''), when Aoki boasts that he's going to easily manhandle his weak Filipino opponent ([[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Paddy_Magramo Paddy]] [[{{Mooks}} Magramo]] in Season 2), Ippo [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ie5p8hRSsqY chimes in]] that not all Filipinos are weak, bringing up Manny Pacquiao as a counter-example.[[note]]This is an anachronistic [[DubInducedPlotHole plot hole]], seeing that the fight was set in 1994, while Pacquiao only turned pro in 1995.[[/note]] |
| 264 | ** Paddy Magramo might be named after journeyman Filipino boxer and former Peñalosa opponent [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/3762 Ric Magramo]]. |
| 265 | * Kimura's opponent, Filipino national champion Eleki Battery, might be a reference to former Pacquiao foe [[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Medgoen-Singsurat Medgoen "3K Battery" Singsurat]] from Thailand.[[note]]Medgoen is promoted by Thai Storage Battery Public Company Limited, and hence bears the 3K Battery name, as the company contracts Thai boxers to sponsor their products.[[/note]] |
| 266 | * Ricardo Martinez's trainer and manager, Bill Martin Stewart, might be named after world-class trainer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Steward Emmanuel Steward]], the Godfather of Detroit Boxing and owner of the Kronk Gym. He trained the who's who in boxing, including [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julio_Cesar_Chavez Julio Cesar Chavez]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wladimir_Klitschko Wladimir Klitschko]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Toney James Toney]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyson_Fury Tyson Fury]], and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lennox_Lewis Lennox Lewis]]. |
| 267 | * The trainer of Bryan Hawk and Wally, [[NamedAfterSomeoneFamous Miguel Zale]], gets his last name from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Zale Tony "Man of Steel" Zale]], who was one of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Graziano Rocky "The Rock" Graciano's]] rivals. His whole look with his wild bushy eyebrows is reminiscent of an aged [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cus_Damato Cus D'Amato]]. |
| 268 | * In Chapter 672, although Yuta Ishii fought and lost against an ''unnamed'' world bantamweight champion on March 1995 (according to the Ippo Wiki), the champion is likely based on long-time WBC Bantamweight Champion [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veeraphol_Sahaprom Veeraphol Sahaprom]] (วีระพล สหพรหม), who reigned from 1998 to 2005.[[note]]This is based on the release date of Chapter 672 at the time (between December 2004 and March 2005, the release dates for Volumes 71 and 72, with Volume 72 being the volume that Chapter 672 belonged to).[[/note]] |
| 269 | * Volg's opponent, the IBF champion Mike Elliot, might have possibly gotten his last name from [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Elliott Jimmy Elliot]], an Irish-American boxer who was Heavyweight Champion of the World from 1865 to 1868. |
| 270 | * Ricardo's opponent, the American boxer and [[StoneWall Philly Shell]] user [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Billy_McCallum Billy McCallum]], is probably based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_McCallum Mike McCallum]], a boxer who was active in the 1980s and 1990s. |
| 271 | * Shinobu Iga, one of Mashiba's opponents who also severely beat up Aoki, is heavily reminiscent of [[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/474 Mike Tyson]][[note]](particularly both the Tyson from his early days and the Tyson from his days with Don King)[[/note]]: |
| 272 | ** He's an [[EmotionSuppression emotionally suppressed]], [[TheAce highly skilled]] boxer who has freakish power, and who's under control of a CompositeCharacter of both Cus D'Amato (Mike's previous trainer) and Don King (Mike's promoter), Baron Kurita. |
| 273 | ** Baron Kurita himself takes elements of D'Amato's TrainingFromHell regimen to keep Iga in tip-top shape, while also having shades of Don King's [[{{Slimeball}} slimy, sleazy behavior]] and [[LargeHam bombastic personality]]. |
| 274 | * In Chapter 1,270 and 1,271, Ippo adopts the same [[https://www.tiktok.com/@universityofboxing/video/7275861097431764225 numbering system]] that Cus D'Amato used to train Mike Tyson. It's easier to call out numbers instead of whole phrases when doing drills, after all. |
| 275 | * The Ring Magazine [[https://www.ringtv.com/570173-ring-magazine-cover-art-of-naoya-inoue-designed-by-acclaimed-manga-author-george-morikawa/ cover art]] of [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naoya_Inoue Naoya "Monster" Inoue]] was designed by George Morikawa (the author of ''Hajime no Ippo'') himself. |
| 276 | [[/folder]] |
| 277 | |
| 278 | !''Tomorrow's Joe'' References |
| 279 | |
| 280 | ''Hajime no Ippo'' has several shout-outs to ''[[Manga/TomorrowsJoe Ashita no Joe]]''. |
| 281 | |
| 282 | [[folder:Ippo Makunouchi]] |
| 283 | * The ending of the first match between Ippo and Sendo is basically one big ''Ashita no Joe'' reference and spoiler.[[note]]After [[NoHoldsBarredBeatdown beating the living daylights]] out of Ippo in the third round, Sendo pulled a [[NonLethalKO (non-fatal version of)]] Joe Yabuki. He remained [[FellAsleepStandingUp seated]] and [[PowerStrainBlackout unconscious]] [[PostVictoryCollapse afterwards]], unable to continue to fight in the fourth round but still [[DiesWideOpen glaring menacingly]] at Ippo all the while. He was actually kayoed in the middle of the [[FellAsleepStandingUp third]] [[DiedStandingUp round]], but his [[JapaneseSpirit fighting spirit]] didn't let him go down.[[/note]] |
| 284 | * There was a "What If?" [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Ippo_vs._Joe simulated fight]] between [[UltimateShowdownOfUltimateDestiny Ippo and Joe]]. Ippo won in the fifth round by knockout with a Liver Blow. The simulation was screened before the authors of each manga and a small crowd. It was logged at the end of ''Hajime no Ippo's'' Chapter 818 as trivia. |
| 285 | * Ippo's concussion doctor, [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_1209 Dr. Kiniski]] ( Dr.キニスキー ), is also a doctor that appeared in ''Ashita No Joe''. He is a Doctor of Medicine at the University of Hawaii, which is regarded as a global authority in boxer healthcare research. |
| 286 | [[/folder]] |
| 287 | |
| 288 | [[folder:Ichiro Miyata]] |
| 289 | * Ichiro Miyata shares the same pristine [[FragileSpeedster outboxer]] and [[DefensiveFeintTrap counter-heavy]] boxing style as Joe Yabuki. Joe normally boxes [[AwesomenessByAnalysis intelligently]] and uses daring (with his [[FakeWeakness "No Guard" stance]]) yet strategic [[DeathOrGloryAttack daredevil counters]] like Miyata would. |
| 290 | ** The layout for the fight between Mashiba and Miyata is [[https://imgur.com/a/d4g29 quite similar]] to how the Mendoza and Yabuki fight was laid out, with panels mirroring each other [[{{Homage}} beat per beat]]. |
| 291 | ** Miyata developed the Jolt Counter against Jimmy Sisphar to defeat him. The punch is [[HilariousInHindsight eerily]] [[LifeImitatesArt reminiscent]] of the one Juan Manuel Marquez used to put Manny Pacquiao to sleep, but it's more likely a shout-out to [[AwesomenessByAnalysis Joe Yabuki's]] CrossCounter in light of when that chapter was written.[[note]]The Jolt Counter was introduced in the early 1990s while Pacquiao's K.O. occurred in 2012, so it's likelier a reference to the older 1970s boxing manga series.[[/note]] |
| 292 | ** Miyata's [[CounterAttack cross-counter contest]] against [[AwesomeAussie Arnie Gregory]] and his [[https://imgur.com/a/2FMx9 Bloody Cross]] is highly reminiscent of Joe's [[CrossCounter cross-counter contests]] against [[https://imgur.com/a/2phDE Wolf Kanagushi]][[note]]where he extensively dealt with the Double Cross Counter and learned the Triple Cross Counter as a result[[/note]] and [[WorthyOpponent Toru Rikishi]][[note]]with both resulting in a Triple Counter type of exchange (countering the counter to the counter)[[/note]]. |
| 293 | * [[TheRival Toru Rikishi/Rikiishi]] himself can be considered a model for Miyata in terms of being a boxing prodigy and needing to whittle himself down in weight in order to compete against his rival in the same weight class. |
| 294 | [[/folder]] |
| 295 | |
| 296 | [[folder:Takeshi Sendo]] |
| 297 | * Come to think of it, even though Joe Yabuki's outboxer style is more reminiscent of Ichiro Miyata, Ippo's HotBlooded rival Takeshi Sendo functions as ''Hajime no Ippo's'' [[{{Expy}} version]] of Joe [[BloodKnight attitude-wise]]. |
| 298 | ** Firstly, Sendo's hairstyle is heavily similar to Yabuki's, with spiky, outward jutting hair. |
| 299 | ** Sendo's [[JapaneseSpirit never-say-die]] attitude, [[MadeOfIron granite chin]], ''[[SuicideAttack kamikaze]]'' [[SuicideAttack attacks]], [[ImplacableMan relentless aggression]], and supreme punching power harkens back to when a desperate Joe fought the [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter superior]] Mendoza in a literal no-holds-barred [[RevengeBeforeReason death match]] with [[AttackAttackAttack zero technique]][[note]]much to Mendoza's chagrin, because he was looking forward to a tactical boxing match against Joe with his normal style[[/note]]. |
| 300 | ** Sendo also has a [[FreeRangeChildren kid gang]], is a BullyHunter, had a CrossCounter dual exchange with Alfredo, and has done a send-up to Joe's death scene with Ippo. |
| 301 | ** Even Reddit is [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/zfackb/sendo_will_die/ postulating]] that Sendo will die soon in part because of his multiple homages to Joe Yabuki. |
| 302 | * During Shigeta vs. Sendo, Sendo does a variation of Kim Yongbi's ''[[CycleOfHurting "Chom-Chom"]]''[[note]]Yongbi's special technique where he pushes the victim on the ropes and hits them until they start to fall, then ''viciously uppercuts them back up'' and continues the NoHoldsBarredBeatdown until the referee realizes that he's witnessing attempted murder and stops the fight[[/note]]. Sendo's variation involves using the Smash to reset and continue the beatdown instead of an uppercut. |
| 303 | [[/folder]] |
| 304 | |
| 305 | [[folder:Ricardo Martinez]] |
| 306 | * In fictional terms, Ricardo Martinez is reminiscent of the BigBad of ''[[Manga/TomorrowsJoe Ashita no Joe]]'', the ''Undisputed World Bantamweight Boxing Champion'' Jose Mendoza[[note]]who in turn is based on the career and nationality of [[https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/9040 Ruben "Puas" Olivares]] and the looks of Nicaraguan boxer [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexis_Arguello Alexis Argüello]][[/note]]. They're both Mexican and undefeated boxing legends. |
| 307 | * As for Mendoza's Corkscrew Punch or Blow, this instead became the [[SignatureMove Sunday punch]] of Ricardo's Japanese rival, Eiji Date. However, Ricardo himself is capable of [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/ippo/images/3/34/Ricardo%27s_finishing_Corkscrew_Blow.png/revision/latest?cb=20200104041038 doing this punch]] as well. |
| 308 | * Having [[SpotlightStealingSquad Takeshi Sendo]] (Joe Expy) be the first man to ''[[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu knock down]]'' [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Ricardo Martinez]] (Mendoza Expy) in a spar instead of series protagonist [[OutOfFocus Ippo Makunouchi]] serves as further confirmation of Sendo's status as being ''Hajime no Ippo's'' own Joe Yabuki. |
| 309 | * Chapter 1,407 of Wally vs. Ricardo has the two doing yet another CrossCounter [[https://imgur.com/a/7WnYm15 homage]] to Joe vs. Jose. |
| 310 | [[/folder]] |
| 311 | |
| 312 | [[folder:Mamoru Takamura]] |
| 313 | * Mamoru Takamura's tumultuous weight control experience is similar to Nishi Kanichi's weight control experience. Both are [[TheBigGuy particularly large, naturally heavyweight men]] forced to cut down to middleweight, and as a result, they suffer greatly due to starving themselves to half-death in order to compete. |
| 314 | * Takamura's fight against Morris West is quite reminiscent of Joe's fight against Kim: Both Mamoru and Joe struggle at first, getting beaten around the ring, before launching a comeback assault[[note]]In Mamoru's case, [[BerserkButton believing that he's being smirked down upon from Bryan Hawk and Morris himself]], and in Joe's case, [[TraumaButton bleeding so badly that it causes Kim to do nothing but hysterically screech at the sight of blood]][[/note]] before savagely punching their opponent [[RingOut right out of the ring]]. |
| 315 | * A panel from the Rikiishi vs. Joe match [[https://i.imgur.com/6BPIQGz.png looks similar]] to a panel from the Hawk vs. Takamura match. |
| 316 | [[/folder]] |
| 317 | |
| 318 | [[folder:Others]] |
| 319 | * Design-wise, Kenta Kobashi sports the same hairdo and face as Joe Yabuki from ''Ashita no Joe'', but he looks like a wimpier version of him. Like a comedic parody of Joe's design or a random person imitating Joe. |
| 320 | * ''Hajime no Ippo'' is indeed the SpiritualSuccessor to ''Ashita no Joe'' in that it found [[SequelEscalation new applications]] for Mendoza's Corkscrew Blow. |
| 321 | ** Eiji Date's "Heartbreak Shot" is a [[AttackOnTheHeart heart-stopping]] [[GameBreaker Corkscrew Punch]] to the chest that [[TimeStandsStill jars people's systems]] for a second. |
| 322 | ** Ryuhei Sawamura's "Bullet" is the Corkscrew Blow used as [[RapidFireFisticuffs pinpoint drilling jabs]] with the spearing power of straight punches that he can [[SpamAttack throw at will]]. |
| 323 | ** Ichiro Miyata's "Red Lightning" is a CrossCounter version of the Corkscrew Punch that requires [[InstantWinCondition multiple conditions]] to [[DifficultButAwesome land]]. |
| 324 | * Volg's [[PunnyName name]] is technically an ''Ashita no Joe'' shout-out to Wolf Kanagushi because "Volg" (Волг) sounds like "Volk" (Волк), which in Russian means "Wolf".[[note]]Both "Wolf" and "Volk/Volg" are also relatively "foreign" words used to name characters in a Japanese work that refer back to the Japanese word for wolf, "Ookami" (狼).[[/note]] |
| 325 | * One of the funniest instances of the CrossCounter happens in Chapter 228, when Kamogawa and Nekota reflexively do right crosses at each other after they heard Takamura ring the gong/bell from inside the pension. |
| 326 | * Sawamura's motor accident might be inspired by Leon Smiley's auto accident. Sawamura himself might be partly inspired by [[AwesomeNessByAnalysis Kim Yongbi]]. They particularly share an analytical fighting style. |
| 327 | ** Shinobu Iga, meanwhile, emulates Kim Yongbi's [[TheStoic emotionless]] and [[TinMan robotic]] attitude, thus making him more like the [[GeniusBruiser "Human Computer"]] attitude-wise[[note]](though he also partakes in PowerCopying like Joe Yabuki)[[/note]]. They approach fights with careful analysis and stone-cold precision. [[spoiler:They're also both NotSoStoic.]] |
| 328 | * The [[LoopholeAbuse unorthodox]] Indonesian champion and [[InstantExpert gifted]] boxing genius [[OnlyKnownByTheirNickname Wally]] is also highly reminiscent of the ''Ashita no Joe'' resident WildMan known as Harimao/Harimau from Malaysia[[note]]who also inspired the creation of [[BeastMan Blanka]] from ''Street Fighter''[[/note]]. |
| 329 | [[/folder]] |
| 330 | |
| 331 | !Miscellaneous References |
| 332 | |
| 333 | [[AC:Advertising]] |
| 334 | * After Takamura's match with Rabbitson, Itagaki makes a joke with a "Silly Rabbit" mention, which is the world-famous slogan for [[Advertising/TrixRabbit Trix Cereal]]. |
| 335 | |
| 336 | [[AC:Anime & Manga]] |
| 337 | * Chapter 92's title, "Super Doctor", is a reference to another manga series, ''Manga/SuperDoctorK'' (スーパードクターK), by Kazuo Mafune that was also published in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from Issue 17, 1988 to Issue 42, 1996. |
| 338 | * In Chapter 216, the premise behind the OriginsEpisode of Kimura and Aoki[[note]](they were originally two JapaneseDelinquents and VitriolicBestBuds running amok and getting into fights with other delinquent gangs)[[/note]] seems to be a shout-out to ''[[Manga/GTOTheEarlyYears Shonan Jun'ai Gumi]]'' and its prequel ''Manga/BadCompany''. This is hilarious for two reasons: |
| 339 | ** Chapter 32 of the ''Shonan Jun'ai Gumi'' manga references ''Hajime no Ippo'' by having Eikichi Onizuka wear a bath towel with Ippo's face emblazoned on it. |
| 340 | ** Creator/WataruTakagi ends up voicing both Eikichi Onizuka in the ''Manga/GreatTeacherOnizuka'' anime and Masaru Aoki in the ''Hajime no Ippo'' anime. |
| 341 | * In Chapter 226, Takamura complains about the oversized cow bells that the rest of the Kamogawa gym boxers wear to [[{{Foreshadowing}} ward off bears]] while running in the mountains because to him it sounds like he's running with an army of Manga/{{Doraemon}}s. |
| 342 | * In Episode 72 (at around 16:10), Kogoro Mouri from the ''[[Manga/CaseClosed Detective Conan]]'' series makes a brief appearance as part of the cheering crowd. The [[Creator/RikiyaKoyama second voice actor]] for Mouri, incidentally, is the same one for Takamura. |
| 343 | * Manabu Itagaki's last name might be based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keisuke_Itagaki Keisuke Itagaki]], the author of ''Manga/BakiTheGrappler'' and artist of ''[[https://myanimelist.net/manga/7921/Garouden Garouden]]''. |
| 344 | * In Chapter 921, the manga Umezawa discusses with Ippo and Itagaki (the one he's working as an assistant for) sounds a lot like ''Manga/ATownWhereYouLive'' (which was instead called ''[[SerialNumbersFiledOff The Town You're In]]'' on the page for [[LawyerFriendlyCameo legal reasons]]). |
| 345 | * In Chapter 1,165 of ''Hajime no Ippo'', Umezawa makes a reference to ''Manga/OnePiece'' when he mentions becoming the "King of Manga", because in ''One Piece'', Monkey D. Luffy wants to be the "King of the Pirates". |
| 346 | |
| 347 | [[AC:Literature]] |
| 348 | * Peter Rabbitson's name may be a reference to British children's book character Peter Rabbit from ''Literature/TheTaleOfPeterRabbit''. |
| 349 | |
| 350 | [[AC:Movies & Television]] |
| 351 | * When Ippo's match against Jason Ozuma was being discussed, Aoki joked about how since his rival's name was [[Franchise/FridayThe13th Jason]], Ippo’s "boxer name" could have been [[Franchise/ANightmareOnElmStreet Freddy]]. [[Film/FreddyVsJason Freddy vs. Jason]] anyone? |
| 352 | ** In the manga version of the scene (found on Chapter 27), Ippo and friends also reference how "Jason" sounds like something from a [[Film/FridayThe13thPart2 horror film]] before having an ImagineSpot of a boxer version of Jason Voorhees.[[note]]Literally a boxer in full boxing gear but wearing Jason's signature hockey mask.[[/note]] They also imagine a version of Ippo as Freddy Krueger.[[note]]It's Ippo with Freddy's hat and gloves with claws.[[/note]] |
| 353 | * ''Franchise/{{Rocky}}'': |
| 354 | ** Volg takes notes from fictional boxer [[Characters/{{Rocky}} Ivan Drago]] from the movie ''Rocky IV'' because they're both at times [[NoSocialSkills cold]], [[TheQuietOne quiet]], and [[TheStoic stoic]][[note]](but in a good way with Volg, because he's a [[ShrinkingViolet soft-spoken introvert]])[[/note]] with a BerserkButton.[[note]]Like Drago and even Sendo, Volg has a [[MyInstinctsAreShowing tendency]] to [[BlindedByRage lose himself]] and [[TheBerserker go wild]] in his fights, resulting in him doing [[ViolenceIsDisturbing bloodthirsty things]] like punching after the bell or ignoring a referee stoppage to dole out more damage.[[/note]] |
| 355 | *** Volg vs. Ippo is kind of like Drago vs. Rocky too, what with it being a [[VictoryByEndurance war of attrition and stamina]]. |
| 356 | *** Volg vs. Sendo is a ''much'' more humiliating [[VictoryByEndurance variant of the above]][[note]](It's even worse because Sendo is a much closer Rocky expy than Ippo)[[/note]], as after Sendo gets ahead in points, he decides to [[StoneWall completely turtle up]] and not let Volg [[HoldTheLine get any hits in]]. |
| 357 | ** Although Sendo denies being nicknamed after Rocky Balboa, several frames of the anime show him having the [[https://imgur.com/a/RlcdriH same expression]] as Franchise/{{Rocky}}, Franchise/{{Rambo}}, or Creator/SylvesterStallone, specifically during the rematch between him and Ippo (Episode 72, "Lallapallooza"). |
| 358 | ** In Chapter 942, because the crowd was so pissed off at Takamura's performance during the Mamoru Takamura vs. Peter Rabbitson match, they started [[RootingForTheEmpire cheering for Rabbitson]] instead, which is seemingly a parody of what happened during the Drago vs. Balboa match in ''Rocky IV''.[[note]]Ironically enough, because Rabbitson started going on the offensive against Takamura after hearing those cheers instead of outboxing him to get the decision win, that's when Takamura was able to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.[[/note]] |
| 359 | * In Episode 30 of the first season and Chapter 92 of the manga, when Ippo asked Dr. Yamaguchi about her judo credentials, she revealed that she used to be nicknamed "Lady Sanshiro", which is a shout-out to Creator/{{Akira Kurosawa}}'s debut film, ''Film/SanshiroSugata'' from 1943. The jujitsu and judo master Sanshiro, in turn, is based on [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiro_Saigo Shiro Saigo]]. |
| 360 | * The Ten-Centimeter Punch taught to Ippo back in Chapter 181 is arguably a shout-out to Creator/BruceLee and his [[SignatureMove One-Inch Punch]]. |
| 361 | * Also in the anime, when Takamura fights the MamaBear, the moment he gets his HeroicSecondWind and resolves to punch the bear into submission, a familiar theme can be heard: The ''Series/UltraSeven'' theme! ''Seven! Seven! Seven!'' |
| 362 | ** The funny thing about that is that in Chapter 15 of the manga, Takamura's entrance theme in the first pro match of his that Ippo watched in person actually was the ''Ultraseven'' theme! So the TV anime shout-out might have originated from the manga. |
| 363 | * Arnie Gregory seems like a shout-out to Mick Dundee of ''Film/CrocodileDundee'' fame, what with his cowboy hat and [[TestosteronePoisoning Aussie machismo]]. |
| 364 | * Design-wise, Bryan Hawk resembles actor Creator/MartinKove of ''Film/KarateKid'', ''Franchise/{{Rambo}}'', and ''Series/CobraKai'' fame, right down to his muscular frame, tanned skin, chiseled chin, and bushy eyebrows. |
| 365 | * Aoki's opponent just before Takamura vs. Ronald Duck's match is named [[Franchise/StarWars Padawan Yoda]]. [[NotMakingThisUpDisclaimer Seriously]]. |
| 366 | * [[ProfessionalGambler Keith Dragon's]] main gimmick is being a boxer with the [[DoomMagnet Devil's Luck]], so he's a [[UnluckilyLucky "Lucky Dragon"]] to himself and TheJinx to his opponents. This is in reference to the 1959 film ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucky_Dragon_No._5_(film) Lucky Dragon No. 5]]''[[note]]which in turn is a reference to the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daigo_Fukuryu_Maru Lucky Dragon No. 5 Incident]] (where an unfortunate Japanese fishing boat gets accidentally exposed to deadly radiation from the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_testing_at_Bikini_Atoll Bikini Atoll atomic bombing tests]]) that happened a mere 9 years after the UsefulNotes/AtomicBombingsOfHiroshimaAndNagasaki[[/note]]. |
| 367 | |
| 368 | [[AC:Music]] |
| 369 | * The BGM track [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AtIhuKn2No "Stand Proud"]] from the first season of the series [[SuspiciouslySimilarSong sounds suspiciously like]] ''Rocky's'' [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioE_O7Lm0I4 "Gonna Fly Now"]]. |
| 370 | * From Chapter 964 to 965, while Itagaki is doing his version of the Ali Shuffle, there are panels where he's also doing the Music/MichaelJackson Moonwalk. |
| 371 | |
| 372 | [[AC:Mythology & Folklore]] |
| 373 | * Alexander Volg Zangief first appears on Chapter 132 or Season 1, Episode 45 of the anime. His middle name ''"Volg"'' (''Волг'' written in Russian) sounds like ''"Volk"'' (''Волк''), which is Russian for "Wolf". Thusly, he figuratively transforms into a beast in the ring like a [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent werewolf]]. |
| 374 | * Ippo Makunouchi was given the boxing nickname ''[[BlowYouAway "Fuujin"]]'' (Wind God) while Ichiro Miyata, his foil, is instead known as ''[[GodOfThunder "Raijin"]]'' (Thunder God). Both Raijin and Fuujin are important figures in Shintoism and Myth/JapaneseMythology. |
| 375 | ** Meanwhile, Manabu Itagaki is instead nicknamed ''[[FatherTime "Chronos"]]'' (Titan of Time) from [[Characters/ClassicalMythologyTitans Greek Mythology]]. |
| 376 | * Ricardo "Quetzelcóatl" Martinez gets his ring name from Myth/AztecMythology. ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetzalcoatl Quetzalcoatl]]'' was an Aztec and Mayan creator god who was also the patron of rain, science, agriculture, and much more. His name means Feathered Serpent in Nahuatl, the Aztec language. |
| 377 | ** As for Ricardo's rival Alfredo "Metztli" Gonzalez, he gets his ring name from ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metztli Metztli]]'', the Aztec god or goddess of the moon, the night, and farmers. |
| 378 | * Randy Boy Junior's switch-hitter style has given him the ring name "Asura" because of his ability to "go" and "see" anywhere in the ring. The ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asura Asura]]'' or ''Sura'' are a class of beings in Indian religions. They are described as power-seeking demons related to the more benevolent Devas.[[note]]They've been made popular in Japan by media like ''VideoGame/AsurasWrath''.[[/note]] |
| 379 | * [[Characters/ClassicalMythologyMortalsAndDemigods Keith Lycaon]] is a reference to an Arcadian king who served Zeus human meat, which enraged the god enough to turn him into a wolf. A werewolf, if you would, hence the term ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lycanthropy_(disambiguation) "Lycanthropy"]]''. |
| 380 | ** The ThemeNaming of Rickey Mouse (Rat), Ronald Duck (Rooster/Poultry), Richard Bison (Ox/Bovine), Keith Dragon (Dragon), Peter Rabbitson (Rabbit), Michael Goat (Goat/Sheep), and Richard Fox/Keith Lycaon (Dog/Canine) serve as shout-outs to the [[EasternZodiac Chinese Zodiac]]. |
| 381 | |
| 382 | [[AC:Pro-Wrestling]] |
| 383 | * In Episode 1 of the first season of the anime and Chapter 1 of the manga, Ippo's classmates were fooling around and doing wrestling moves like the [[https://twitter.com/jrsbbq/status/1282081190917353472 "Dragon Screw"]], which is a move innovated by [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatsumi_Fujinami Tatsumi Fujinami]][[note]](a nine-time World Champion, winning world titles in [[Wrestling/NewJapanProWrestling NJPW]], [[Wrestling/NationalWrestlingAlliance NWA]], [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Wrestling_Association UWA]], and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Class_Wrestling_Association WCWA]])[[/note]]. |
| 384 | * Ippo's cheating second opponent, [[CheatersNeverProsper Yoshio Fujiwara]], has the nickname of "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Jeet_Singh Tiger Jeet Singh]] of the Boxing World", with Singh being an Indo-Canadian [[{{Heel}} professional wrestling heel]]. Meanwhile, his direct model is Japanese pro-wrestler [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoshiaki_Fujiwara Yoshiaki Fujiwara]]. |
| 385 | * Volg's last name might have come from professional wrestler [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Zangiev Victor Zangiev]] (Виктор Зангиев)[[note]]who also inspired the creation of Zangief from the ''Street Fighter'' series[[/note]]. |
| 386 | * In Chapter 208, Takamura does the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d22icswXWQc "Dragon Sleeper"]][[note]](It is basically just a reverse guillotine that you can set up from back mount or the north south position. It is more of a neck crank than anything else.)[[/note]] on Coach Kamogawa to hold him down. It's another special move invented by Tatsumi Fujinami. |
| 387 | * In Chapter 214, the audience chides Takeshi Sendo with a live mic, saying he sounds like [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rusher_Kimura Rusher Kimura]][[note]](Rusher was a sumo wrestler turned pro-wrestler who then became a five-time IWA World Heavyweight Champion)[[/note]] doing a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVdSvpsu7Sg "Mic Performance"]][[note]](which in this case means [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech "Wrestling Promo"]])[[/note]] when all he said was, "Good evening, everyone." |
| 388 | * In Chapter 1,273, [[LawyerFriendlyCameo The Scamaras Brothers]] (Milo Scamaras and Marascas) might be references to real-life famous Mexican {{masked luchador}}s [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mil_Mascaras Mil Máscaras]] and his brother [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dos_Caras Dos Caras]][[note]]with both wrestlers in real-life and Milo having travelled to Japan for wrestling matches[[/note]]. Mil and Milo also have similar appearances unmasked. |
| 389 | |
| 390 | [[AC:Real-Life Inspirations]] |
| 391 | * In Chapter 89, [[https://www.reddit.com/r/hajimenoippo/comments/qm4yao/sendo_homage_in_tough_or_is_it_a_japanese_saying/ to explain to Ippo]] the reason behind why he loves [[BloodKnight seeking strong people to fight]] in the boxing ring, Sendo paraphrases famous British mountaineer [[UsefulNotes/MountainClimbing George Mallory]].[[note]][[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mallory Mallory]] was supposedly was the first person in history to [[ScalingTheSummit reach Mount Everest's summit]] but he never returned from the trip. His body was found [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mallory#Lost_on_Everest_for_75_years 75 years later]]. When asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest in the first place, Mallory answered, "Because it exists."[[/note]] |
| 392 | * [[NamedAfterSomeoneFamous Keigo Okita]] might've gotten his last name from another famous Okita--[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okita_Soji Souji Okita]], the Captain of the First Squad of UsefulNotes/TheShinsengumi. |
| 393 | * In Chapter 209, Kimura ignores Takamura's attempt at pranking him by listening to a Creator/{{Sony}} Walkman with [[HeadphonesEqualIsolation headphones on]]. |
| 394 | * Dr. Kazuki Sanada's ''"Tsubame Gaeshi"'' (Swallow Return)[[note]](Sanada's fist and arm could go from hook to the body to uppercut to the chin in a split-second like Sasaki's sword slashing move)[[/note]] and ''"Hien"'' (Swallow in Flight)[[note]](a technique where arm, elbow, and wrist rotation are applied so the jab can change trajectory at will)[[/note]] are the names of sword techniques invented by famed historical swordsman [[UsefulNotes/SasakiKojiro Kojiro Sasaki]], who is most prominently cited as the chief rival of legendary swordsman [[UsefulNotes/MiyamotoMusashi Musashi Miyamoto]]. |
| 395 | * In Chapter 1,273, Takeshi Sendo and Hiroyuki Hoshi could've ''realistically'' visited [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teotihuacan Teotihuacan]][[note]]which is 25 miles (40 km) from Mexico City[[/note]]. However, they also ''[[RefugeInAudacity unrealistically]]'' visited [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Castillo,_Chichen_Itza El Castillo at Chichen Itza]] in [[NoSenseOfDirection Yucatán State, Mexico]][[note]]which is 891 miles (1,433.7 km) away from Mexico City, where it would take more than a few days to [[TravelingAtTheSpeedOfPlot travel by walking]] 800 miles to there and 800 miles back to Mexico City[[/note]]. |
| 396 | * In Chapter 1,439, Itagaki uses his [[AnachronismStew smartphone camera]] to photograph the sparring match between Ippo and Mashiba. Afterwards, he accidentally posts the media on a [[BlandNameProduct Pekitter]] "pekeet" or a send-up of Website/{{Twitter}} "tweets" on Chapter 1,441. |
| 397 | |
| 398 | [[AC:Sports]] |
| 399 | * In Chapter 117 of the manga, in response to Keigo Okita chiding him for going too rough on Ippo[[note]]by using him as his guinea pig for the Heartbreak Shot[[/note]] during their spar, Eiji Date vaguely referenced the disastrous pro debut baseball match of Yomiuri Giants batter [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shigeo_Nagashima Shigeo Nagashima]] against Kokutetsu Swallows pitcher [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaichi_Kaneda Masaichi Kaneda]].[[note]]Nagashima made his professional debut on April 1958 and struck out in all four of his at-bats against Kaneda. Regardless, Nagashima became the team's clean-up hitter by mid-season, and the Giants won the league championship.[[/note]] |
| 400 | ** The implication here is that even though Ippo looked terrible in the spar, the same spar convinced Date that Ippo would eventually become ''the'' Japanese national boxing champion down the line.[[note]]In fact, unbeknownst to the Nakadai Gym members and even Ippo himself, Ippo did much better than expected in the spar. Despite Ippo getting knocked down six times, it was Date who ended up unable to lift his black-and-blue forearms up in the shower because they were battered so hard from blocking Ippo's megaton punches.[[/note]] |
| 401 | * As for Malcolm Gedo's boxing nickname, "The Magician", it's reminiscent of the alias of Philippine billiards legend [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efren_Reyes Efren "Bata" Reyes]]. |
| 402 | * In Chapter 968, the corner discusses how Itagaki has the same [[HyperAwareness "Hypersense"]] [[SuperSenses ability]] as soccer or basketball players as well as boxers to see the field, court, or ringside in an aerial point of view, giving them full "court vision"[[note]]not unlike Shun Izuki's Eagle Eye and Kazunari Takao's Hawk Eye from ''[[Manga/KurokosBasketball Kuroko no Basket]]''[[/note]]. |
| 403 | ** Itagaki also has the ability to see time in slow motion, like batters in baseball seeing the ball slow down before they swing for the fences.[[note]]Or BulletTime as depicted in ''Franchise/TheMatrix''.[[/note]] |
| 404 | |
| 405 | [[AC:Video Games]] |
| 406 | * Whether by coincidence or not, several characters from ''Hajime no Ippo'' have names seemingly taken from ''Franchise/StreetFighter''. We have Ken (Furukawa), (Volg) Zangief, (Richard) Bison, (Bryan) Hawk, and (David) Eagle, just to name a few. |
| 407 | ** Takeshi Sendo's version of the [[https://imgur.com/a/MYBHJMr "Smash"]] and Masaru Aoki's version of the [[https://imgur.com/a/vSaGMfE "Frog Punch"]] look more like variants of the ''[[{{Shoryuken}} "Shoryuken"]]'' (Rising Dragon Fist). |
| 408 | ** The blue afterimages that appear whenever Ippo summons the Dempsey Roll in the anime is highly reminiscent of the blue afterimages of the [[SuperSpecialMove Super Combos]] of ''[[VideoGame/StreetFighterII Super Street Fighter II Turbo]]'' and beyond. |
| 409 | ** [[AmbiguouslyBrown Bryan Hawk]] resembles Dee Jay whenever he flashes his [[CheshireCatGrin gigantic smile]]. |
| 410 | ** Malcolm Gedo's gimmick of misdirection, moving into blind spots, and distracting the opponent with decoys is reminiscent of [[Manga/KurokosBasketball Tetsuya]] [[HilariousInHindsight Kuroko]], but based on the release date of his chapters[[note]](Malcolm's first appearance and match with Ippo in 2007 predated the debut of the ''Kuroko's Basketball'' manga in 2008 by about a year)[[/note]], it's likelier that Gedo is more of a [[SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome "demystified"]] version of Dhalsim from ''Street Fighter''[[note]](with his "stretching arm" and "teleportation" abilities)[[/note]]. |
| 411 | ** Wally is an {{Expy}} to ''Street Fighter's'' Blanka for all the same reasons that Blanka is an Expy to ''Ashita no Joe's'' Harimao.[[note]]They all posess a RollingAttack or SpinAttack of some form and have some sort of [[Literature/{{Tarzan}} Tarzan-like]] [[WildMan wildness]] to them.[[/note]] |
| 412 | * The video game system Sanada was playing on with Kinoshita's daughter in the ''Champion Road'' TV special bears a striking resemblance to the original Platform/{{Xbox}}, though the controller is a cross between the Xbox's and [[Platform/PlayStation PlayStation's]].[[note]]The two [[BlandNameProduct game cases]] sitting next to the console read ''[[VideoGame/FightersMegamix Megamix 200X]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/PuyoPuyo Buyo]]''. The fighting game they were playing feature two male characters with similar appearances to that of characters from the ''Manga/SaintSeiya'' anime.[[/note]] |
| 413 | ** The video game system that Sanada was playing on with Kinoshita's daughter in Chapter 298 of the manga is a Platform/SegaSaturn. The actual game he is playing appears to be ''[[VideoGame/VirtuaFighter Virtua Fighter 2]]''. |
| 414 | * ActorAllusion in the anime: Arnie wears a [[https://ippo.fandom.com/wiki/Arnie_Gregory?file=Blody_10.jpg#Anime_Scenes similar suit]] to one of the characters that his voice actor, Creator/TakayaKuroda, also wears--[[VideoGame/{{Yakuza}} Kazuma]] [[Characters/LikeADragonKazumaKiryu Kiryu]], to be more specific. |
| 415 | * In Chapter 1,248, Kumi Mashiba mentions that the bald Ippo looks like one of those ''[[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pokamon]]'' (''[[BlandNameProduct Poka Poka Monsters]]''), particularly [[LawyerFriendlyCameo "Baldichu"]].[[note]]So there's a version of ''Pokemon'' in the ''Hajime no Ippo'' universe that was released when the Mashiba siblings were still children.[[/note]] |
| 416 | |
| 417 | [[AC:Western Animation]] |
| 418 | * Several other Takamura opponents... [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Rickey Mouse]] and [[CaptainErsatz Ronald Duck]]... have names that sound like shout-outs to the [[Creator/{{Disney}} House of Mouse]]. |
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