VISION GRID SYSTEM: THE COMEBACK OF RYOMA TAKEDA

15 September 2018 — Tokyo Dome

A steady drizzle falls over Tokyo, turning the morning sky into a dull sheet of gray as thousands of umbrellas stream toward the Tokyo Dome from every direction. Despite the rain, the crowds only continue to grow, stretching into long queues outside every entrance hours before the opening bell.

Satellite vans line the surrounding streets. Television crews weave through the sea of fans, cameramen balancing heavy broadcast rigs while reporters rehearse their opening lines one last time before going live.

”And we’re coming to you live from Tokyo Dome, where one of the biggest boxing events in Japanese history is just hours away.”

Behind the reporter, supporters wrapped in Ronin shirts wave towels toward the camera while others proudly display Mexican flags bearing Miguel Cabello’s name.

”The main event may still be several hours away, but excitement has been building since sunrise. Promoters are expecting more than fifty thousand spectators before Ryoma Takeda challenges WBO lightweight champion Miguel Cabello.”

The camera pans across the endless stream of arriving fans before cutting to another live broadcast outside the VIP entrance.

”This isn’t just attracting fans,” another reporter says. ”Some of boxing’s biggest names have flown in as well.”

Liam O’Connell steps out first, drawing a wave of camera flashes the moment he’s recognized. Not long after, former OPBF champion Jade McConnell arrives from Australia, exchanging a brief greeting with Philippine national champion Paulo Ramos, who is accompanied by former WBO Asia Pacific champion Dante Villanueva.

Every new arrival sends another wave of camera flashes across the VIP entrance.

”And the star power may not stop there,” the reporter says, glancing toward the growing crowd of journalists. ”Several airport sources claim newly crowned WBC champion Elliot Graves was seen arriving at Narita Airport two days ago. There are also unconfirmed reports that IBF lightweight champion Jean-Pascal Roy and WBA champion Aleksandr Volkov have quietly flown into Tokyo.”

The reporter smiles toward the camera. ”If those reports prove true, Tokyo Dome won’t just host one of boxing’s biggest fights of the year. It will bring together all four reigning lightweight world champions under one roof.”

***

Inside Tokyo Dome, the atmosphere begins building long before the seats are filled. More than half the arena is already occupied, over twenty-five thousand spectators.

Enough to overwhelm almost any other venue in the country. Yet beneath the massive white roof, it somehow feels like merely the beginning.

”Ladies and gentlemen!” the commentator shouts, his voice booming through Tokyo Dome. ”Welcome to one of the biggest days in Japanese boxing!”

The first undercard wastes no time. Neither does the second, nor the third. Technical boxing quickly gives way to reckless exchanges as hungry prospects throw themselves into wild brawls, each determined to steal the spotlight before the stars arrive.

”They’re fighting like tomorrow doesn’t exist!” the commentator laughs as another exchange erupts against the ropes. ”And that’s exactly what these fans came to see!”

A looping hook sends sweat spraying beneath the floodlights, drawing a thunderous roar from the crowd.

The referee quickly separates another clinch, but the moment he steps aside, both fighters charge straight back into another reckless exchange, abandoning caution and finesse in favor of the grit and determination Japanese fight fans have always admired.

”Beautiful technique can wait,” the play-by-play commentator says over the deafening cheers. ”This is Japan. Give these people heart... give them grit... and they’ll love you for it.”

With every undercard bout, more spectators continue pouring into the Dome.

The empty seats grow fewer. The cheers grow louder. And somewhere beneath those fifty-five thousand seats, Ronin Fight Management waits for its first fighter of the day to make the walk.

***

The atmosphere inside Ronin’s locker room is completely different from the thunderous noise rumbling through Tokyo Dome. While the roar of the crowd seeps faintly through the concrete walls, the room itself remains calm, occupied only by the soft rhythm of gloves cutting through the air.

Satoru moves steadily through his shadow boxing, his breathing controlled as Sera watches from a few steps away with his arms folded. He lets the younger boxer finish another combination before speaking.

”Slow down,” Sera says. ”You’ve already done everything you needed to do in training. Nothing you do in the next few minutes is going to make you any stronger.”

Satoru gradually settles into a slower rhythm without lowering his guard. Even so, his heartbeat continues to pound against his ribs, impatient for the opening bell.

Ever since his defeat to Kazuya Tojo, he has imagined this moment countless times. Today is his chance to prove that loss didn’t define him. More than anything, he refuses to be the one who embarrasses Ronin on a stage this big.

”When the bell rings, don’t fight the atmosphere,” Sera continues. ”Tokyo Dome has a way of making young fighters rush. They hear the crowd, they feel the occasion, and suddenly they’re trying to prove they belong here.”

He gives a small shake of his head. ”You don’t have to prove anything. Make your opponent fight your pace instead of letting him drag you into his.”

Satoru nods quietly, repeating another sequence with noticeably more control than before.

Across the locker room, Ryoma finishes wrapping the tape around his left wrist when Kurogane steps inside carrying a phone in one hand. He walks straight over, his expression more serious than usual.

”Hey. I just heard from one of the organizers,” he says. ”Looks like all four lightweight world champions are going to be here today.”

Ryoma looks up without saying anything. Kurogane slips his phone into his pocket before letting out a quiet sigh.

”So I need to ask you something,” Kurogane continues. ”If you beat Cabello today, don’t make any reckless statements afterward. Please. I’m asking you seriously. Don’t stand in the ring and start calling those guys out.”

Ryoma’s brow furrows. ”You’re talking like my win’s already guaranteed.”

”I believe you’ll win,” Kurogane replies without hesitation. ”And I also believe the first thing you’ll do after they hand you the belt is challenge every one of them.”

Ryoma lets out a quiet laugh, but Kurogane’s expression remains unchanged.

”I’m serious, Ryoma. Just this once... don’t do it.”

”Talk to me later after I win. Not now.”

”I’m serious, Ryoma. Please, promise me.”

Ryoma simply shakes his head, clearly uninterested in the conversation, and returns his full attention to finishing the last wrap around his knuckles.

Seeing he has gotten nowhere, Kurogane turns toward the far side of the room.

”Kaichō, please talk to him.”

”Kurogane...” Ryoma says first, ”if I lose today, it’ll be your fault for filling my head with naïve nonsense right before a world title fight.”

A weary sigh escapes Nakahara. ”Sorry, Kurogane. But he’s right.”

Kurogane’s shoulders slump. He looks as though he still wants to argue, searching desperately for something else to say, when a knock interrupts the room. The locker room door opens, and one of the event staff steps inside.

”Takeda-san,” he says politely. ”There’s someone here who wishes to meet you before the fight. Would you be willing to spare a few minutes?”

Ryoma looks up. ”Who is it?”

Before the staff member can answer, Okabe cranes his neck toward the doorway, his eyes widening with excitement.

”Ooh... it’s Graves-san!” he blurts out. ”The new WBC champion. Just let him in! He’s a friend of us.”

Ryoma says nothing. He simply gives the staff member a small nod. The staff member slides the door fully open and respectfully steps aside, allowing Elliot Graves and his head trainer, Sergei Volkov, to enter the locker room.

The atmosphere inside the locker room shifts the moment Elliot Graves steps through the doorway.

The newly crowned WBC lightweight champion walks straight toward Ryoma and extends his hand.

Ryoma stands and returns the handshake. ”Elliot. I’ve been hearing your name for a while.”

”So have I.” Elliot smiles. ”I figured it was about time we stopped hearing about each other and actually met.”

Ryoma lets out a quiet laugh. ”Fair enough.”

While the two shake hands, Sergei Volkov exchanges a respectful nod with Nakahara before turning his attention to Ryoma.

”I followed your hearing with Ramirez,” the veteran trainer says. ”I honestly never imagined a proud old man like him would humble himself that much just to apologize to you.”

Ryoma gives a small shrug. ”It was just a facade. He wasn’t apologizing because he felt guilty. He was trying to show remorse. Under Japanese law, that kind of effort can influence sentencing, even if I refused it.”

Sergei raises an eyebrow. ”Even if you had refused?”

Ryoma nods. ”The court would’ve still taken it into consideration. So I figured... I might as well accept the compensation instead.”

Elliot suddenly lets out a laugh. ”Yeah, I can’t blame you for that. If someone offered me thirty million dollars, I’d probably forgive him too.”

Ryoma can’t help but chuckle. ”Yeah... figured I’d make sure he has nothing left by the time he gets out.”

At that moment, a knock interrupts the conversation.

”Yoshitomo-san,” an event staff member says. ”You’re on in two minutes.”

At that moment, Satoru quietly steals one last glance toward Ryoma, like expecting something from him. But before Ryoma can notice him, Sergei’s expression suddenly turns grave.

”Ryoma,” Sergei says, ”we saw Vaughan and Bowman get up from his seat and head into the corridor.”

Sensing the conversation has suddenly taken a far more serious turn, Satoru quietly lets go of the thought lingering in his mind. Without another word, he leaves the locker room alongside Sera, Coach Murakami, Hiroshi, and Kurogane.

Ryoma catches the movement from the corner of his eye and instinctively starts to call him back. But now it is Elliot who steals his attention.

”It looked suspicious, so we followed them,” Elliot says. ”We figured we’d use the excuse of stopping by to see you.”

”And just as we suspected...” Sergei adds. ”They went into Cabello’s locker room. And if they’re willing to show up today, then you should at least consider the possibility that they’re not there just to say hello.”

Elliot folds his arms. ”Whatever they’re planning, don’t let it catch you off guard. When you think about your strategy, don’t prepare for the fight you expect. Prepare for the one that makes the least sense.”