Chapter 23

First Taste of Victory, or The Taste of the First Victory in the official K Manga English translation is Round 23 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippomanga series.

Details

• Locations Introduced: Sugar Ray
• Title Page Character(s): Ippo Makunouchi

Summary

When Kamogawa and Yagi rush into the ring to congratulate Ippo, Oda wakes up and is told by Reiko that he fought well, helping him realise that he has lost. Ippo goes to the other corner and is congratulated by the crew as Oda silently leaves. Ippo exits the ring to the cheers of the crowd. Meanwhile, Oda is upset that just as he learned how fun boxing is, he has to retire. He and Mikami come across Reiko who tells him that even though he lost he still looked "really cool" and that she'd love to cheer for him again. Oda is sad that he won't be able to do this due to his retirement agreement, but instead Mikami insists they start working on his guard next.

Ippo's gym mates wanting to celebrate, believe Kamogawa to be cold towards Ippo despite his performance since he walks away without congratulating him. Yagi however, shows them that Kamogawa left money for them to celebrate and they go to Sugar Ray. They gather with some waitresses to drink, but Takamura sulks because Ippo is getting all of the attention. Everybody toasts for Ippo, who blushes, which the waitresses find "cute", so Takamura decides to get even with Ippo by pantsing him in front of them.

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