 The game begins with a sparring match with Ichiro Miyata , which is actually a rematch from a previous sparring match with Miyata that took place in the manga series . After winning , Ippo take his professional boxer exam to begin his boxing career . He then enters the East Japan Rookie Champion Tournament , and after succeeding , he faces the West Japan Rookie Champ , Takeshi Sendo . Ippo later enters the Class A tournament where he wins his chance to challenge the Japanese Featherweight Champion , Eiji Date . After losing to Eiji Date , Ippo climbs the ranks again to the featherweight championship , where he faces Sendo , who has become the new champion . After becoming the champion , Ippo then defends the title five times . 
