Chapter 50: The Announcement

The gym was abuzz with energy as Alex and Ippo arrived for their morning training. Coach Kamogawa greeted them with a rare smile that immediately piqued Alex's curiosity.

"Alex," Coach began, "I've got some good news for you. Riku's team accepted our offer. That means you, Ippo, and Takamura are all on the same card."

Alex's face lit up, excitement flashing in his eyes. "Really? That's amazing! Thanks, Coach!"

Before Alex could dwell on the news, the gym doors swung open, and a flood of reporters poured in, cameras flashing and voices overlapping in excitement.

"What's going on?" Ippo asked, bewildered.

Coach sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It seems one of Riku's teammates let it slip that the fight negotiations were finalized. Word travels fast."

Amid the commotion, a familiar figure stepped forward. It was Minoru Fujii, one of the most prominent boxing journalists in Japan. He held a microphone and smiled as he approached Coach.

"Kamogawa-san, I hope you don't mind. I came to ask a few questions about Alex's upcoming fight."

Coach hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, Fujii-san. But keep it quick. The boys have training to do."

Fujii turned to Alex, who stood confidently, his arms crossed. "Alex, now that the fight with Riku Tanaka is official and scheduled for two months, one week, and six days from now, do you have a message for Riku or your fans?"

Alex smirked, stepping closer to the microphone. His posture was relaxed, but his voice carried an undeniable edge of confidence.

"I'll make this interview short because I want to save the fireworks for the press conference," Alex began, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared into the camera. "To all my fans watching this, I'll only say this: don't expect a competitive fight. Matter of fact, don't even call it a fight. This will be pure domination."

The reporters exchanged murmurs, captivated by his boldness.

Alex continued, his voice calm but razor-sharp. "Riku, this is my message to you. You're going to lose this fight. I want you to believe it. Every ounce of training you put in leading up to this match will be a waste of your life. Nothing you do can prepare you for what's coming. Nothing."

He leaned slightly forward, his smirk widening. "I'm not just stepping into that ring to beat you—I'm stepping in to show everyone why I'm the future of this division. So train hard, Riku. Give it your all. But when the bell rings, you'll see that it was all for nothing."

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Alex's words settling over everyone present.

Fujii adjusted his glasses, a mixture of intrigue and surprise on his face. "That's quite a statement, Alex. It seems you're very confident about this matchup."

Alex straightened up, shrugging casually. "Confidence isn't arrogance when you can back it up. And trust me, Fujii-san—I'll back it up."

Coach clapped his hands, snapping everyone's attention back. "Alright, enough of that! Back to training! Reporters, out!"

The journalists filed out reluctantly, but the energy in the gym remained electric.

As Alex wrapped his hands and prepared for his workout, Ippo approached him. "That was… intense, Alex."

Alex grinned, glancing at his cousin. "Just setting the tone, Ippo. Now, let's get to work."

With that, the two stepped into the ring, the echoes of Alex's bold declaration fueling their resolveAfter a long day of intense training, Alex and Ippo returned home, their bodies aching but their spirits high. The comforting aroma of fresh sushi and crispy tempura greeted them as they stepped into the house.

"Welcome back!" Hiroko called from the kitchen, her hands busy arranging plates on the dining table. "I've made your favorites—come eat before it gets cold."

"Thanks, Aunt Hiroko!" Alex said, his stomach growling at the sight of the beautifully arranged sushi rolls and tempura.

Ippo sat beside Alex, and the two wasted no time digging into the feast. Between bites, they chatted about the day's training, the sparring rounds, and the news of Alex's upcoming fight with Riku.

After finishing the meal, they helped Hiroko clean up, then moved to the living room to relax. Alex sprawled on the couch while Ippo sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping through channels on the TV.

"Wait, go back!" Alex said suddenly, leaning forward.

The screen displayed a bold red banner: Breaking News.

The anchor, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, looked directly at the camera. His expression was serious.

"We interrupt tonight's program with breaking news from the world of boxing. The much-anticipated fight between rising star Alex Makunouchi and Japan's number four-ranked lightweight, Riku Tanaka, has officially been announced. This fight is set to take place on the undercard of the JBC Middleweight Title Class: Yoshiaki Yajima vs. Takamura Mamoru."

The anchor continued, his tone becoming more animated. "Earlier this morning, Alex Makunouchi gave an exclusive interview to Minoru Fujii, and his words have sent shockwaves through the boxing community. Let's take a look at the footage."

The screen cut to Alex's interview from the gym earlier that day. The camera zoomed in on Alex as he stood tall, his confident posture commanding attention.

"I'll make this interview short because I want to save the fireworks for the press conference," Alex began, his eyes narrowing slightly as he stared into the camera. "To all my fans watching this, I'll only say this: don't expect a competitive fight. Matter of fact, don't even call it a fight. This will be pure domination."

The clip shifted to the reporters' reactions, their murmurs filling the air, followed by Alex's voice, calm and razor-sharp:

"Riku, this is my message to you. You're going to lose this fight. I want you to believe it. Every ounce of training you put in leading up to this match will be a waste of your life."

The screen returned to the studio, where the anchor sat speechless for a moment, his mouth slightly open. He blinked, trying to process what he had just heard.

"Well," he finally managed, clearing his throat, "that was… certainly a bold statement from Makunouchi. It's clear he's brimming with confidence ahead of this fight."

Back in the living room, Hiroko stood frozen in the doorway, a dish towel in her hand. Her expression was a mix of shock and awe.

"Alex," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, "did you really say all that?"

Alex rubbed the back of his neck, his trademark grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, that was me."

Ippo stared at the TV, his eyes wide. "Alex, that was… intense. Even the anchor didn't know what to say!"

Hiroko shook her head, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "You've got everyone's attention now, that's for sure. But you'd better back up those words, or I'll never hear the end of it from the neighbors!"

The broadcast continued, showing brief clips of local boxing fans' reactions outside gyms and sports bars. Some cheered, others looked stunned, and a few shook their heads in disbelief. Discussions were buzzing on live sports commentary shows as analysts debated Alex's bold claims.

Despite the mixed reactions, one thing was clear: Alex's words had struck a chord with viewers. The anticipation for the fight was now at an all-time high.

As the program ended, Hiroko turned off the TV and sighed. "Well, Alex, you've certainly made things interesting."

Alex leaned back on the couch, his grin unwavering. "That's the idea, Aunt Hiroko. Now the whole country's watching. All I have to do is deliver."

Ippo shook his head with a small chuckle. "You always know how to stir things up, Alex."

Alex flashed him a wink. "What can I say? It's part of the plan."

The night ended with a mixture of excitement and nerves, the echo of Alex's bold declaration lingering in the air as they prepared for the challenges ahead.

To be continued...