Isekai in Hajime no Ippo with Gaolang’s Template

A few days had passed since Alex and Mari began their trip, and they had already taken dozens of pictures together, capturing their adventures in San Juan. Today, however, was a special day—the pre-fight press conference for the highly anticipated WBC Lightweight Title fight was being held at Estadio Sixto Escobar.

As Alex and Mari approached the entrance, the energy in the air was electric. Fans, reporters, and photographers crowded the area, all eager to see the fighters up close.

Mari's eyes widened as she took in the scene. "Wow… there are so many people here." She held Alex's hand tightly, her excitement evident.

Alex smirked, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "Yeah, of course. A big event like this always draws a crowd." He glanced at the massive venue and added with confidence, "One day, you'll see me fighting here."

Mari turned to him, her expression soft with admiration. "I know you would." Her gentle smile carried a warmth that made Alex's chest tighten slightly.

They made their way through the crowd, weaving between groups of reporters, cameramen, and fans, before finally reaching their seats in the middle section. From here, they had a clear view of the stage, where a long table was set up for the fighters.

Looking around, Alex's sharp eyes noticed a familiar figure sitting a few rows ahead—the number two contender in the heavyweight division, Mike Tyson. The young, fearsome boxer sat with his arms crossed, observing the stage with a serious expression.

Just then, a Puerto Rican announcer stepped onto the stage, holding a microphone. His booming voice echoed through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the official press conference for this weekend's WBC Lightweight Title Fight and the co-main event of an incredible night of boxing!"

The audience erupted into applause.

The announcer lifted a cue card and continued.

"Now, let's introduce the fighters! First, in the co-main event, the number one contender in the lightweight division! A dangerous, experienced veteran—please welcome… 'The Fearless' Freddie Pendleton!"

The crowd clapped as Freddie Pendleton walked onto the stage. A seasoned fighter with a gritty reputation, he looked composed as he took his seat at the long table on the right side.

The announcer wasted no time moving forward.

"And now, introducing the reigning, defending WBC Lightweight Champion of the World! Puerto Rico's own… 'The Bad Boy of Puerto Rico'—Marcus Rosario!"

The moment Marcus Rosario stepped onto the stage, the crowd exploded with cheers.

Dressed in a black leather jacket with his hair slicked back, Marcus carried himself with swagger and confidence. He smirked at the audience before taking his seat on the left side of the table. The energy in the room shifted—it was clear that Rosario had the home advantage.

Alex narrowed his eyes slightly. "So that's him," he muttered under his breath, observing Marcus carefully.

After the crowd settled, the announcer's voice boomed again.

**"And now, for the moment you've all been waiting for—the main event! Introducing first… the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion and the reigning WBC Continental Champion! From New Orleans, Louisiana… 'Super D' John Duplessis!"

The audience clapped and cheered as John Duplessis walked onto the stage. He was a well-built fighter with sharp features, his championship belts gleaming under the bright lights. His posture was relaxed, but his sharp gaze revealed his confidence.

The announcer raised a hand for silence before delivering the final introduction.

"And now… the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world! The reigning, defending WBC Junior Welterweight Champion! The former WBC Lightweight Champion! With an undefeated record of 74 wins, 0 losses, and 69 knockouts… Ladies and gentlemen, the legendary… 'El Gran Campeón Mexicano'—JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ!"

The entire arena erupted into a deafening roar, the standing ovation shaking the venue.

The moment Julio César Chávez stepped onto the stage, the respect and admiration from the crowd were undeniable.

Dressed in a sleek, tailored suit, Chávez carried himself like a king. His piercing gaze scanned the audience, taking in the moment with quiet confidence before taking his seat at the center of the table.

Alex and Mari stood up, clapping along with the rest of the crowd.

As the noise settled, Alex leaned in close to Mari and whispered,

"My second goal… is to end his winning streak."

Mari turned to him in shock, her breath catching in her throat. "You're serious…?"

Alex's eyes remained locked onto Julio César Chávez,

After the press conference, Alex and Mari returned to their luxurious hotel in San Juan, the echoes of the event still fresh in their minds. The sun had set, and the view from their balcony overlooked the shimmering lights of the city.

As Alex took off his jacket and stretched his arms, he spoke with confidence. "I feel like I could beat Marcus in the ring."

Mari, sitting on the couch, smiled warmly. "I support you on that. If that fight ever happens, I'll even interview you for it."

Alex chuckled. "You can't interview me anymore, though. It'd be biased."

Mari giggled, tilting her head. "Yeah, probably."Her eyes shone with amusement.

After relaxing for a bit, they decided to try some traditional Puerto Rican food. They visited a well-known restaurant nearby and ordered mofongo—mashed plantains mixed with garlic, pork cracklings, and shrimp—as well as lechón, a succulent roast pork dish. The flavors were rich and savory, and both of them enjoyed the experience.

Once they finished their meal, they headed back to the hotel and drifted off into a peaceful sleep, knowing that the next day would be a major event.

March 17, 1991 – Fight NightThe morning sun bathed San Juan in golden light, signaling the day of the WBC Lightweight Championship fight.

Alex and Mari dressed in casual but stylish outfits, preparing for the highly anticipated event. As they stepped outside, the excitement in the air was palpable. Fans wearing boxing merchandise, holding signs, and chanting fighters' names filled the streets.

The couple took a taxi to Estadio Sixto Escobar, the legendary open-air stadium hosting tonight's fights. As they arrived, the venue was packed to the brim, with over 14,000 fans in attendance.

Alex and Mari had front-row seats, positioned right near the ring, where they had the perfect view of the action.

The undercard fights had just finished, with a few up-and-coming boxers making statements with impressive knockouts. Now, it was time for the co-main event—the WBC Lightweight Championshipfight between Marcus Rosario and Freddie Pendleton.

The Co-Main Event BeginsThe arena lights dimmed, and a single spotlight shone towards the entrance tunnel.

The announcer's voice boomed through the stadium.

"Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is scheduled for twelve rounds of boxing for the WBC Lightweight Championship of the world!"

The first spotlight flashed, and the sound of heavy hip-hop beats echoed through the arena as Freddie Pendleton emerged from the tunnel.

"Introducing first, the challenger! Fighting out of the red corner! He holds a professional record of 27 wins, 17 losses, and 3 draws, with 23 of those victories coming by way of knockout! He is known for his fearless approach in the ring! Presenting… 'The Fearless' Freddie Pendleton!"

Pendleton raised his hands as the crowd clapped and cheered, showing respect for the veteran. He made his way to the ring, moving with experience and confidence.

The lights dimmed once more, and the atmosphere shifted. A deep reggaetón beat blared through the speakers as the hometown favorite made his entrance.

From the tunnel, Marcus Rosario appeared, walking out in a sleek black-and-red robe, his hood down, revealing his sharp features. His trainer held the WBC Lightweight Championship belt high, showing it off to the roaring Puerto Rican crowd.

"And now… introducing the reigning, defending, WBC Lightweight Champion of the World! Fighting out of the blue corner! With a professional record of 25 fights, 20 wins (18 by knockout), 2 losses, 3 draws, and 3 no contests! He is the pride of Puerto Rico! The undisputed 'Bad Boy of Puerto Rico'… MARCUS ROSARIO!"

The stadium erupted, with thousands of fans chanting Rosario's name.

Alex watched closely as Marcus climbed into the ring, exuding pure confidence. The champion didn't even glance at Pendleton, standing tall with his fists on his hips as if he already knew the outcome of the fight.

The referee stepped forward and gestured for both fighters to come to the center.

"Alright, gentlemen. This is for the WBC Lightweight Championship. I want a clean fight. Protect yourselves at all times. Listen to my commands. Touch gloves if you wish to."

Pendleton extended his hand—but Marcus refused to touch gloves, simply staring him down with an arrogant smirk.

A wave of boos mixed with cheers rippled through the crowd.

Round 1 – Freddie Pendleton vs. Marcus RosarioDING!

The fight began with both men stepping into the center of the ring, their eyes locked with intense focus. The Puerto Rican crowd was electric, chanting Marcus Rosario's name, but Freddie Pendleton stood his ground, unfazed by the hostile atmosphere.

Freddie took the initiative, throwing out a sharp jab, testing Marcus's defense. Marcus blocked it effortlessly, his eyes locked onto Freddie's movements, analyzing his rhythm, looking for patterns.

The commentator, speaking in English, observed:

"Freddie's using feints early, trying to get a reaction from the champion. But look at Rosario—he's not biting, he's reading Pendleton like a book!"

Freddie, seeing no immediate opening, suddenly launched a leaping left hook, aiming to surprise the champion.

Marcus ducked under it smoothly. Instead of countering immediately, he clinched Pendleton, smothering his offense before the referee stepped in to separate them.

The moment they were reset, Marcus threw a quick feint to the body—a small movement, but Freddie reacted, lowering his guard just slightly.

That was all Rosario needed.

BANG!

A brutal uppercut snapped Freddie's head back!

The challenger's legs trembled as he stumbled back into the ropes, his vision briefly going white. The crowd erupted, sensing an early finish.

The commentator shouted, "Oh! Huge uppercut from Rosario! Pendleton is in trouble!"

Marcus pounced like a predator, closing the distance with lightning speed. He unleashed a left hook to the body, followed by a crushing right hook to the ribs, forcing Freddie to hunch over in pain. Then, without hesitation, Marcus fired a devastating uppercut to the head!

Freddie was shelling up now, covering his face, but his eyes still burned with fighting spirit.

Marcus smirked—he respected the toughness but had no intention of letting this fight last longer than necessary.

Freddie, gritting his teeth, tried to respond with a wild left hook to the body—but Marcus was already ahead of him.

A crisp, left uppercut countered Freddie mid-swing, landing flush on his jaw!

Freddie's knees buckled—he collapsed onto the canvas!

The referee immediately stepped in, beginning the count.

"One… Two… Three…"

Freddie, eyes glassy, tried to steady himself, blinking away the dizziness.

"Four… Five… Six…"

He took a deep breath and forced himself to stand at the count of seven, shaking his head to show the referee he could continue.

The referee looked into his eyes and gave the signal—the fight was back on!

But Marcus wasn't going to let it go any further.

The moment the referee stepped away, Marcus exploded forward with a Gazelle Punch, leaping into a perfectly executed left hook!

CRACK!

The punch landed clean on Freddie's temple—his head snapped to the side, and his body went limp before he even hit the mat!

The referee didn't bother with a count—it was over!

Freddie Pendleton was knocked out cold.

DING DING DING!

The stadium erupted, the Puerto Rican crowd roaring in celebration. Marcus Rosario had just defended his WBC Lightweight Championship in dominant fashion, securing a first-round knockout!

The referee raised Marcus's hand, officially declaring him the winner.

The interviewer stepped into the ring, handing Marcus a microphone. The champion wiped the sweat from his brow, then took the mic, speaking in Spanish:

"Voy a gobernar esta división por mucho tiempo. Unificaré todos los cinturones."

The translator, standing beside him, repeated in English:

"I will rule this division for a long time. I will unify all the belts."

The crowd erupted once again, chanting his name, fully behind their champion.

In the front row, Alex Makunouchi sat completely still, his eyes locked onto Marcus Rosario.

His mind was racing. He wasn't just watching a fight—he was analyzing a future opponent.

Rosario was strong. Sharp. Efficient. A monster in the ring.

But Alex wasn't intimidated.

Mari, sitting beside him, felt his grip tighten around her hand. She looked over, seeing the way Alex's gaze remained fixed on the champion.

"You're thinking about it, aren't you?" Mari whispered, leaning in.

Alex smirked slightly but didn't break his stare. "Yeah."

Alex and Mari stayed in their seats as the main event between Julio Cesar Chavez and John Duplessis began.

Chavez, the undefeated Mexican legend, wasted no time, demolishing Duplessis with a devastating knockout in the second round.

The arena erupted as Chavez continued his reign of dominance.

After the fights, Alex and Mari left the stadium, walking hand in hand through the bustling San Juan streets.