Episode 2 – Bloody Cross – Summary
Episode 2 - Hajime No Ippo New Challenger - Bloody Cross
Anime: Hajime No Ippo
Series: New Challenger
Title: Bloody Cross
Episode: 2
Originally Aired: January 13, 2009
The OPBF title match is under way. Ichiro Miyata and Arnie “Crocodile” Gregory are scheduled for 12 rounds of non stop combat. Will Miyata’s counter seal the deal? Or will he fall prey to the Crocodiles strong power?
OPBF Champion, Arnie Gregory
The fight starts off with Arnie catching Miyata off guard and starting to get into his rhythm. Arnie, continues his onslaught of punches unable to penetrate Ichiro’s guard. Just when it’s looking bad for Miyata, 1 counter and he’s away from the ropes. Feeling that Miyata is more than just a pushover opponent Arnie changes his approach in the ring. Arnie raises his guard, and mounts a more precise barrage of punches catching Miyata off guard a few times. Miyata not one to back down from a fight decides that it’s time to brawl it out and begins to exchange punches. What looks to have been a risky move by Miyata works to his advantage. A few small counters helps Miyata disorient The Crocodile. A brief silence enters the arena, both fighters staring at each other. Simultaneously they charge at each other with the intensity to knock each other out. Miyata can see the champions left coming towards him and deals a powerful cross counter knocking the crocodile flat on his behind.
Miyata's Cross Counter
Miyata’s cross counter can only hold Arnie to a 7 count and the match continues. Miyata charges in give him a few more blows but it cut short as the round ends.
During the break in between rounds Miyata’s father gives his view on the fight. He believes that both his son and the champion are match about evenly. He clearly gives Arnie an advantage in strength and speed to his son Miyata. His advice for his son is to assume that he will recuperate, and to damage him as much as he possible can while his opponent is still hurt.
Arnie’s corner is a bit more different. Arnie is heavily breathing and slightly pissed off that he got nailed the way he did. We now learn that Arnie really baited Miyata, in hopes that Miyata would take the bait again and be ready for it with his bloody cross.
The next round starts with Miyata on the offensive landing blows on Arnie. Quickly Arnie changes it back to him attacking and Miyata defending. With ease, and grace Miyata calmly dodges Arnie’s jabs. Arnie throws the bait and Miyata goes for his cross counter.
How Arnie Gregory turns Ichiro Miyata's Cross Counter into the Bloody Cross
Unfortunately, it isn’t Arnie that goes down to the Cross Counter, but Miayata who falls for the Bloody Cross. It doesn’t look good for our Ex Kamogawa Boxing Gym member. Miyata’s head is thrown back, and his eyes begin to blur. Miyata Down! The Count Begins: 1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… Miyata manages to get up and continues the fight in total disbelief that his perfectly timed counter didn’t land. Miyata decides to step back and begins to study Arnie’s rhythm, and his own timing. Confident in his ability to land his cross counter Miyata see’s and opening and goes for it. The Cross Counter has yet again failed and left Miyata open to Arnie’s attacks. An uppercut, left, right, and an entire arsenal of attacks begin to unload on Miyata. Miyata Down! Never having someone go directly for Miyata’s counter leaves him pissed off and hitting the mat. Feeling like his pride has been striped Miyata vows to not loose like this.
