#HajimenoIppo ch971: so ends the reign of the Speed Star. All hail the new Speed King. #manga 

Itagaki's match ended in pure Ippo style, with both boxers completely
spent and the winner just begging for his opponent to stay down.
Overall, I didn't think it was a bad match. Though it definitely
wasn't one of my favorites either. Saeki and Itagaki spent a lot of
time dancing around each other, which made the match seem more
extended than it really was.

Itagaki is in rare territory now. And the pressure to fight Ippo only
builds. Personally, I think Ippo needs to relinquish the Japanese
title now. He's mopped the floor with everyone in the country still
worth fighting, short of Itagaki. And if he doesn't I have a feeling
he's going to risk having Itagaki leave the gym. And they just can't
afford that.