Hajime no Ippo

Ippo Makunouchi is an ordinary Japanese high school student whose life begins to change after he meets a boxer named Takamura. Because he spends much of his time helping his mother with the family fishing business, Ippo has little chance to enjoy his youth. The work also leaves him with a distinctive smell, making him a frequent target for bullies. When Takamura saves him from one such encounter, Ippo is inspired to follow his example and train as a boxer, finding direction and purpose as he begins to develop his skills.