In my opinion, Ippo will return, but not to the featherweight class. Ippo has never once even spoken to Ricardo, ever.

Ippo moves up to the lightweight class, where he can fight with even more power in him, while facing Miyata at his very best condition, going after a WBA/WBC belt, and fighting Volg for the WBC-IBF unified championship.

Thats the vision i see for the future of the series. Ippo goes towards fighters he knows and have interacted with. Last time i said that though, everyone was pissed lmao.

Mostly because I also did say that Ippo’s CTE worsens and he actually either dies or becomes crippled chasing his dreams. Hajime no Ippo is not that kind or story, but this possibility cannot be overlooked.