I said it before, we're not here to kill each other.

[Ippo was oddly calm in his statement as he walked over to his corner of the ring and put his back against the post.]

You wanted to put me to the test, so here's the test. If you can beat me on my own terms, then I don't have a right to call myself Ibuki's protector, right?

[His muscles tensed and his eyes narrowed, looking straight at Ikuri. His eyes were aglow with that fierce energy again and he wasn't about to back down.]

I'll tell you right now though, I won't lose.

[For the first time in his life, the first time ever...Ippo Makunouchi had just called a fight before it began.]