Ippo getting hit by Date's Heart Break Shot. When the three round spar began, Ippo was pushed back by the champion's overwhelming pressure. After getting hit in the face, Ippo began blocking and dodging Date's punches while punching occasionally when he saw a chance, however it hit Date's guard. Ippo eventually landed a clean right to Date's face, and was about to throw a followup punch before the gong rang, ending the first round. Before walking back to his
corner, Ippo overheard Date mentioning that he would have to use his "Magic Punch". Ippo wondered if Date meant the "Corkscrew Blow", as Ippo saw him use it while shadowboxing before the spar began. When the second round began, Ippo started weaving in a motion that prevented Date from using the Corkscrew Blow. Ippo's movements to prevent Date from using the Corkscrew Blow costed him to go into the corner unknowingly. Ippo was then hit
with a Corkscrew Blow to his heart. Ippo, seeing a followup attack coming, attempted to guard, however his body would not move, getting hit by the punch and going down, believing time had stopped for him. The spar then continued after Ippo got up, and when Ippo saw the Corkscrew Blow coming at him again, he attempted to block it, however Date successfully hit him with Ippo realising that Date's target was the heart before getting knocked down again.
