Death Battle! Chapter 48: Ippo Makunouchi VS Rocky Balboa
Harry: The boxer, a breed of warriors unlike anything the world has ever seen. Since the ancient Greek times they've been praised and denounced serving as hero and villain alike. Throughout its expansive history only a selected few are as popular or requested than our combatants tonight.
DAM: Ippo Makunouchi, the wind god.
The Doctor: And Rocky Balboa, the italian stallion.
Harry: He's The Doctor, that over there is DAM and I'm Harry.
DAM: And its our job to analyze their weapons, armor and skills to find out who would win a, Death Battle!
Harry: Ippo Makunouchi was born on November 23rd, 1973. He was tiny and sad, and came with an even sadder backstory. His father died in a boating accident, and left him alone with his mother. After this sad event in his life he became very shy, kind and obedient kid.
DAM: During his high school days he had no social life, kind of like myself. Working at his mother's family business, the Makunouchi Fishing Boat. He was constantly tormented by a group of bullies because of this.
The Doctor: One day he was followed by a group of bullies and assaulted by them. After this he was eventually taken to the Kamogawa Boxing gym. From there he practiced his first punches and began his life as a boxer.
Harry: Now a boxer Ippo realized he could take his frustrations out on sandbags. Using this to give him a certain in edge in most of his matches and would be the pinnacle of his professional boxing career. However, because of his smaller stature his reach is relatively short, only 65 inches in fact.
DAM: Speaking of 65 inches. Have you guys ever heard about this guys dic––?
Harry: DAM! What the hell is wrong with you? You fucking psychopath! Kids might read this!
The Doctor: Anyway, Ippo's fighting style and legacy was influenced only by the legend known as, Mike Tyson. This 'peek-a-boo' style utilizes strong defenses and even more powerful offensives. He's also mastered a large assortment of techniques.
DAM: These techniques include a southpaw, brawling and tekken fighting styles. Though he has only used the tekken once. He uses dozens of defensives such as weaving, a turtle strategy, shoulder block, cross arm blocks, headslips, and counters.
Harry: However this guy is known for his offensives, with his famous Dempsey Roll a technique so powerful is basically guaranties victory. His other attacks include the one-step straight punch, tornado jolt, heart break shot, gazelle punch, one centimeter punch, liver blow, and courage.
DAM: On with his feats. Ippo has been training since he was 17, giving him approximately 8 to 9 years of experience and training, he's number one In-Fighter in Japan, has an impressive KO rate of 92%, won eight Japanese Featherweight Defense Titles and won the Class-A Tournament Round 1.
The Doctor: Despite these amazing feats he has plenty of weaknesses. He's notoriously simpleminded, constantly miscalculates and underestimates his foes, is relatively inexperienced. Also opponents with more experience and training can withstand and counter his Dempsey Roll. The Dempsey Roll can leave him vulnerable and he prefers to only throw punches when absolutely necessary or at the last minute.
Harry: If there is one thing we all can learn from Ippo. It's even if you're a big guy like me. Pick your fights carefully and don't fuck with the little guys.
Ippo punches Sawamura numerous times easily overwhelming his more experienced foe, ending it with a powerful uppercut knocking his head backwards a bloody mouth guard flying into the air
Ippo Makunouchi:
Age: 24 – 25
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 126 lbs.
Reach: 65 Inches
Boxing record: 23-0-2
Weapons:
Peek-a-boo Style
Southpaw Stances
Brawling Stances
Tekken
Weaving
Turtle Strategy
Shoulder Block
Cross Arm Block
Headslip
Counter
Dempsey Roll
One-step Straight Punch
Tornado Jolt
Heart Break Shot
Gazelle Punch
One Centimeter Punch
Liver Blow
Courage
Feats:
Began training at the approximate age of 17, giving him only 8 to 9 years of experience and training
Number one In-Fighter in Japan
Impressive KO rate of 92%
Won 8 Japanese Featherweight Defense Titles
Won the Class-A Tournament Round 1
Weaknesses:
Notoriously simpleminded
Miscalculates and underestimates his foes
Relatively inexperienced
Opponents with more experience and training can withstand and counter his Dempsey Roll
Dempsey Roll can leave him vulnerable
Prefers to only throw punches when absolutely necessary or at the last minute
Harry: At the beginning of July in 1946 a child was brought into the world and shunned from society as an outcast because of his down syndrome. Despite this and growing up bullied in a difficult life this infant would become known as the legendary Italian Stallion.
DAM: Rocky Balboa, rise to fame began in November 1975. When he lived as a leg-breaker and was connected with a loan shark named Anthony Gazzo. During this time the Worldwide Championship bout had begun with Apollo Greed defending against Mac Lee Green.
The Doctor: However Creed eventually thought of the idea of giving a local underdog, Rocky a chance to fight and earn his own title of champion. Rocky would then spend the next month training with Mickey Goldmill.
Harry: Mickey Goldmill was exactly the person Rocky needed to train him, an ex-bantamweight fighter and gym owner from the 1920's. During his training he also became famous for a certain body part of a certain jungle cat known only as, 'the eye of the tiger'.
DAM: His training was finally put to the test in his final fight against Apollo Greed. Although he put up a great fight Rocky ultimately lost the fight by virtue of a split decision. Despite this he spent the next forty-years improving his skills and teaching others his combat style.
The Doctor: Rocky uses a hybrid-fighter boxing style, meaning he focuses on ferocious and brutal body attacks and blinding speeds. He is famously known for his iron jaw and indomitable will both tools that he can utilize against his foes and can help him withstand large amounts of damage. He also possesses peak human strength and speed attained through his years of training and naturally-borne fighting spirit.
Harry: Balboa has over forty years of training and experience, is a two time worldwide heavyweight champion, endured countless injuries and pummeling from deadlier opponents. Fought Thunderlips aka Hulk Hogan to a draw. Heck he's even defeated Clubber Lang in a rematch and trained Tommy Gunn and Adonis Greed the son of his long since past friend Apollo Greed.
DAM: However his most impressive feat is when he singlehandedly defeated Ivan Drago, a six-foot-seven two-hundred-seventy pound Soviet Army Infantry Captain, defeating him with relative ease and with little effort. This is impressive as he sadly killed Apollo Greed in a previous match because of his immense punching strength.
The Doctor: Rocky is effective by his age and retirement, losing a fight in his late 60's because of it. His iron jaw and durability have very clear limitations and despite all his skills his win/loss boxing record is spotty.
Harry: Even with his weaknesses Rocky Balbao is a badass there is a reason why they call him the Italian Stallion, if you dare to challenge the man always remember the strength and power of his iron jaw. He'll rip you a new one if you ever stand his way.
"What did you say to the kid? It ain't about how hard you hit, it's just about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. Get up!"
Rocky Balboa:
Age: 60
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 195 lbs.
Reach: 74 Inches
Boxing record: 58-1-23
Weapons:
Hybrid-Fighter Boxing Style
Focused on ferocious body attacks and blinding speeds
Iron Jaw
Peak Human Strength & Speed
Indomitable Will
Feats:
Possesses over forty years of training and experience
Two Time Worldwide Heavyweight Champion
Defeated Ivan Drago, a six-foot-seven two-hundred-seventy pound Soviet Army Infantry Captain
Defeated Clubber Lang in a rematch
Has endured countless injuries and pummeling from deadlier opponents
Fought Thunderlips aka Hulk Hogan to a draw
Trained Tommy Gunn and Adonis Creed
Weaknesses:
Age, retirement
Iron Jaw has limitations
Win/loss boxing record is spotty
Harry: All right the combatants are set. It's time to end this debate once and for all.
DAM: It's time for a DEATH BATTLE!
The lights in a stadiums flash in a wondrous spectacle, the crowd cheering widely as the announcer steps into the ring about to introduce the first fighter.
"And now... Ladies 'n' Gentleman! I present to you, your favorite featherweight boxer and former JBC Featherweight Champion...Ippo Makunouchi!"
Ippo Makunouchi stands in the left-hand corner of a boxing ring. Throwing multiple practice jabs before entering his peek-a-boo stance.
"On the righthand we have his greatest challenger ever! The man with an iron jaw, the legendary Italian Stallion, and worldwide heavyweight champion... Rocky Balboa!"
Rocky runs up onto the stage throwing two practice punches and entering a fighting stance.
Ippo and Rocky slowly approach each other Rocky extending his arm as Ippo respectively replies with a fist bump. The two take a few steps back and take their respected fighting stances. The camera pans around both combatants before zooming out.
FIGHT!
Ippo was the first to attack throwing two punches, his opponent not taking the time to block them. Rocky fumbled backwards and caught Ippo off-guard hooking across the jaw. The two boxers ran around in a circle. Each not waiting for the right time to strike. Ippo went to attack opponent only to take a jab to the forehead. Rocky grinned as Ippo rubbed his head. Makunouchi entered another fighting stance and preformed his iconic dempsey roll. Rocky looked down on his opponent confused, trying his best to track his opponent. Ippo finished his dempsey roll and charged Rocky throwing a fakeout punch. Rocky jumped out of the way of this attack only to jump right into the lefthand uppercut from Ippo. The Italian Stallion stumbled in pain and surprise as Ippo let out a barrage of punches knocking Rocky's head around. Ippo ended his assault with an uppercut to Rocky's nose sending blood flying into the air.
Rocky backflipped onto his stomach letting out a load groan. Ippo pumped his hands in the air believing victory was near. Unfortunately for him Rocky rose to his feet and entered a blind rage. Throwing one hard punch on Ippo his smaller opponent just dodging this attack in time. Rocky Balboa continued his assault. Slamming into Ippo's face with an unrelenting combo of fists. Ippo Makunouchi counterattacked blindly catching Rocky in his stomach nearest his liver. Rocky coughed and spat out blood. Our favorite Italian Stallion fumbling to his knees in agony. Ippo was left undefended as Rocky jumped to his feet slamming his fist onto the bottom of Ippo's jaw, the Wind God nearly biting off his tongue. Ippo rolled around in pain as Rocky unleashed another flurry of punches. At the end of this brutal onslaught Rocky brought his knuckles down onto Ippo's skull a load crack heard across the arena. The crowds' cheers silenced as Ippo, blood pouring all over his face, rocking back and forth and struggling to stand. Rocky threw out another powerful punch this time hitting in the center of Ippo's face. The Japanese Featherweight Champion collapsing to the ground before succumbing quickly to his injuries.
"It's a knockout! I truly cannot believe it! Ladies 'n' gentlemen, I give you your brand new champion, Rocky Balboa!" the Announcer shouted. As all of Rocky's friends and family gathered around him. Adonis Greed slinging an American flag over his teachers shoulders. Rocky screaming in victory as a photographer took a picture of him. Mirroring the titular image from his movies.
K.O.!
DAM: Well that was anticlimactic.
Harry: Hey its not my fault! This fight was very close, both Rocky and Ippo were evenly matched in strength, speed and durability. The results of this fight ultimately came down to experience. Rocky was been training and boxing for over forty years. While Ippo has trained and fought for only sixteen years.
The Doctor: The core of this fight was determining which of the two was stronger, faster, and tougher. Ippo's punching force is so great that it has damaged his hands on more than one occasion. However that is nothing compared to Rocky surviving a match with Ivan Drago a six-foot-seven two hundred eighty pound Soviet. Who can punch with a force of over 140,000 psi. Both were evenly matched in speed and strength despite Rocky's experience and Ippo's younger body. At the end of all our research none of Ippo's attacks or techniques could inflict any sort of significant damage on Rocky. Even his dempsey roll was useless as it is can be easily countered and after he used it once Rocky could simply adapt to it and set Ippo up for the final blow.
DAM: Ippo's dempsey roll had little effect on our favorite Italian Stallion.
Harry: The Winner is Rocky Balboa.
The Doctor: Next Time on Death Battle!
Next Time on Death Battle:
A man of average height with apparent cybernetic enhancements and attire fights against Thane Krios impaling the bounty hunter with his monomolecular blade
Versus...!
A pale-skinned humanoid stands before Kanan and Ezra, stating "I am The Inquisitor. Welcome!" igniting his lightsaber, cornering both master and apprentice
(*Cues: See You Again – Wiz Khalifa*)
This episode was delayed for the memory & celebration of my longtime friend. Who sadly past away two weeks. I miss you so much buddy. I know he'll never see this. I just needed to say it. I'll never forget you. Your name and memories will be remembered in this story for years to come.
Love you Larry,
See you all again next week.
For another Mass Effect vs. Star Wars fight. This time with Kai Leng taking on The Inquisitor. This is HarbingersofNEVEC sighing off. Saying don't forget to read, review and favorite. And, as always Live Long and Prosper.