Chapter 5: Weightclass

The morning sun glimmered over the waves, casting a golden hue on the vast expanse of the ocean. Alex found himself standing aboard a modest fishing boat, its deck lined with sturdy nets and various fishing tools.

Ippo's mother stood at the helm, guiding the boat with practiced ease while Ippo worked beside her, hauling in a freshly caught fish with a grin on his face.

"Here, Alex!" Ippo called, gesturing toward a bucket. "Put it in here before it flops out!"

Alex took the wriggling fish, his face twisted in discomfort. "Ugh, this thing's slimy. You do this every day?"

Ippo laughed, his movements smooth and efficient as he reached for the next fish. "It's not so bad once you get used to it. Right, Mom?"

Ippo's mother chuckled softly. "That's right. It's honest work. Helps keep you grounded, and it builds character."

Alex placed the fish in the bucket, wiping his hands on his pants with a grimace. "Grounded, huh? I think my character's fine where it is."

Despite his complaints, Alex found himself getting into the rhythm of things. He helped reel in nets, sort the fish, and even steer the boat when Ippo's mother needed a break. By the time they returned to the shore, his hands were covered in calluses, but his spirits were surprisingly high.

After cleaning up and grabbing a quick lunch, the two headed to the gym. The air inside was charged with the familiar sounds of gloves hitting heavy bags and boxers grunting as they practiced their drills.

As soon as they stepped in, Kamogawa's voice boomed from across the room. "Ippo! Alex! Over here!"

The two exchanged glances before hurrying over to where the coach stood. Beside him was a scale and a tape measure.

"Stand straight," Kamogawa instructed, holding the tape measure up to Ippo first. He noted the height with a small nod before gesturing to the scale. "Step on."

Ippo did as he was told, the scale settling after a brief moment.

"Height: 5'5". Weight: 50 kg," Kamogawa announced. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully before adding, "You're too light for your height, Ippo. If you put on 7 kilograms, you'd qualify for the featherweight class."

"Featherweight?" Ippo echoed, tilting his head in confusion.

Kamogawa ignored the question for now and turned to Alex. "Your turn."

Alex stepped forward, standing tall as Kamogawa measured him.

"Height: 5'8". Weight: 60 kg," Kamogawa said. He gave Alex a pointed look. "You're in a better position. Add just 1 kilogram, and you'll qualify for the lightweight class."

Alex scratched his head, glancing at Ippo. "What's with these weight classes, anyway?"

Kamogawa straightened, his arms crossed. "Weight classes are what separate fighters into divisions. It ensures a fair fight by matching boxers of similar size and weight. If you're too light or too heavy, you could be at a disadvantage."

He gestured toward a whiteboard on the wall, where the weight classes were neatly listed.

Boxing Weight Classes

Jr Flyweight: 48.99 kg

Flyweight: 50.80 kg

Jr Bantamweight: 52.16 kg

Bantamweight: 53.52 kg

Jr Featherweight: 55.34 kg

Featherweight: 57.15 kg

Jr Lightweight: 58.97 kg

Lightweight: 61.23 kg

Jr Welterweight: 63.50 kg

Welterweight: 66.68 kg

Jr Middleweight: 69.85 kg

Middleweight: 72.57 kg

Super Middleweight: 76.20 kg

Light Heavyweight: 79.38 kg

Cruiserweight: 86.18 kg

Heavyweight: 86.18 kg or higher

"Each class has its own unique challenges," Kamogawa explained. "A featherweight relies more on speed and endurance. Lightweight fighters often have a balance of speed, power, and durability. And as you climb the ranks, the heavier classes require more raw strength and resilience."

Ippo nodded, eyes wide.

"So, if I want to fight at my best, I need to gain weight to match my class?"

"Exactly," Kamogawa said with a sharp nod. "But it's not just about eating more. You'll need to build muscle, not fat. That's where your training and diet come in."

Kamogawa then turned to Alex, his gaze narrowing.

"And you, Alex—you look too skinny. If you want to go pro, I'd advise you to move up to welterweight. You have the height for it."

Alex crossed his arms, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

"If I did go pro one day," he said slowly, "I'm still going to lightweight division."

Takamura, who had been listening from the side, scoffed.

"Rookie, you'll die cutting weight at this rate," he said, shaking his head.

Even Kamogawa nodded in agreement.

"Your body is still growing. How old are you both?"

"We're 17," Ippo answered.

Kamogawa sighed, rubbing his temple.

"Seventeen... That means there's still a lot of room for your body to grow."

Alex, however, remained firm.

"I still want to fight at lightweight in the future if I decide to go pro."

Kamogawa stared at him for a long moment. Alex's face was unwavering, his eyes filled with conviction.

Finally, Kamogawa let out a deep sigh.

"Well, we'll see."