Chapter 450

Doubtful Composition is Round 450 of Jōji Morikawa's Hajime no Ippomanga series.

Details

• Techniques Introduced: Frog Punch Counter, Play Dead
• Title Page Character(s): Katsutaka Imae, Masaru Aoki

Summary

Aoki launches himself into the air to throw his Frog Punch at Imae, however, Imae counters the technique, sending Aoki to the canvas. As the referee counts, Ippo and Kimura are surprised that Imae was able to counter it. Takamura tells the worried Tomiko that the match isn't over yet and to watch, as everyone will see why Aoki is called "The Deceiver". Aoki gets up and begins stretching to show he is not hurt. Ippo wonders why Aoki is not worried since his Frog Punch was easily defeated and he may not be able to use his secret weapon. As the audience yells for Imae to finish Aoki, Takamura notes how this is an example of what Imae's fans complain about him, since Imae keeps his pace and doesn't charge in despite having hurt his opponent. Kimura observes that Imae has lost his confidence, explaining to Ippo and Itagaki how all nine of his knockout wins were done in the later rounds since he doesn't believe in his own power. Itagaki adds that if Imae remains in his own pace, then Aoki will lose in the later rounds. With thirty seconds left of the first round, Aoki attacks, missing a left jab. Imae lands a left jab, which downs Aoki. Aoki exaggerates his pain as he gets up, which Imae notices, causing him to believe that his previous attack affected him badly. Fired up, Imae viciously attacks Aoki's guard until the first round ends with Aoki barely standing and Imae putting a fist up in celebration.

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