August 5th, 1991

Today, you do your first debut match as a boxer in the featherweight division. Your first opponent is a man named Ichiro Miyata, the child of a famous boxer going by the same name. You watch as Miyata sits at his corner, his father/coach speaking to him. After talking to your own coach, both of you are told to stand up. After the referee tells you both about the rules, he asks you both to touch gloves. Once you do, the match will start. Miyata stares you down, standing at 5'7.

"Ippo.. I haven't forgotten about our promise."

Miyata mumbles to himself, speaking about another boxer. He extends his gloves to meet yours.