The Japanese Lightweight Division is finally shifting.

For months it has been stagnant, weighed down by retirements waiting to happen, contenders stuck in limbo, and rankings that barely moved.

But tonight, the JBC releases a rare "Condition Recap" before unveiling the new list, explaining why the division can no longer remain unchanged.

Condition Recap — Why the Rankings Move Tonight

First is Naegi Jurobei, the former #1 contender.

Just a while ago, he stepped into the ring to fight for the vacant Lightweight title, a bout meant to crown the new king of the division. Instead, Shinichi Yanagimoto shattered his jaw with a vicious counter in the eighth round.

Doctors told him fully recovery would take up to one and half a year. But last week, after thinking it over, Jurobei announced his retirement. And his seat at the top opens.

Next is Yanai Shinsaku, the longtime gatekeeper at #7. At thirty-five, with too many wars behind him, he quietly submitted his retirement papers this year. The JBC marks it with a brief line in their bulletin, respectful and simple. And so, another slot cleared.

Then comes Hirobumi Sagawa. Ranked #3 on the national list, but inactive in Japanese Lightweight boxing for three years. Every fight he has taken is in the OPBF, and he has long stopped competing domestically. Tonight, the JBC finally removes him from national rankings.

And then there is Sekino Yasinobu, ranked #10, who faced rising Class-A prospect Ryoma Takeda in a brutal ten-round war. The loss was decisive. The JBC drops him from the top ten immediately.

As if the division weren't already volatile, another strong force enters the mix: Shimamura Suzuki, formerly #4 in the Super Featherweight rankings, announces his move up to Lightweight. His credentials demand a respectable placement.

In short:

– A retirement at the top

– A veteran stepping away

– A contender removed for inactivity

– A ranked fighter knocked out of the list

– A powerful newcomer entering the division

The entire structure shakes at once.

The JBC closes its announcement with a rare note:

"The Lightweight Division is undergoing active adjustments. Rankings reflect the current competitive landscape."

Dry words, but the meaning is obvious:

The division is alive again.

***

UPDATED LIGHTWEIGHT CONTENDER LIST

Lightweight Champion — Shinichi Yanagimoto

#1 Hisashi Murai (25)

A well-rounded, disciplined technician. Quiet but dangerous, now the closest man to Yanagimoto.

#2 Damoto Nariaki (23)

A pressure fighter with speed and aggression. Young, hungry, and always charging forward.

#3 Harada Tanimoto (22)

A sharp counterpuncher with excellent timing. Unpredictable in exchanges.

#4 Sugano Junichiro (23)

Consistent, patient, and physically strong. The type who rises whenever the division is unstable.

#5 Masuda Kokushi (26)

Specializes in body attacks. Relentless in close range.

#6 Morine Mizusaki (24)

Tall, awkward, rangy. One of the most frustrating opponents to solve.

#7 Shimamura Suzuki (25) — New Entry

Former Super Featherweight #4. Methodical, calculating, and clearly stepping up with intent.

#8 Ryoma Takeda (20) — New Entry

Six wins, six fights. Rookie MVP. Sensational A-class exhibition showcase. His victory over Sekino pushes him into the national spotlight.

#9 Kanda Tomoyuki (28) — New Entry

Solid fundamentals, durable, long overlooked. Now rising due to the division's vacancy.

#10 Tsubaki Yuto (21) — New Entry

Explosive and dangerous. Rough around the edges, but undeniably powerful.

***

The apartment is still half-dark when Ryoma shuffles into the kitchen, barefoot, shoulders stiff, ribs still aching every time he twists. Three days after the fight, the bruises haven't faded; some feel even deeper.

After preparing breakfast like usual, he takes a seat on the dining table, picks up his phone, and starts scrolling.

Then a headline catches his attention: JBC Lightweight Contender List Updated.

He taps it without much enthusiasm. The moment the list appears, his eyes briefly widen as he sees his name there. He stares at it for a second, and then lets out a small, almost embarrassed exhale through his nose.

"Hehee… number eight, huh?"

But his gaze drifts upward and stops hard.

"Shimamura…" he mutters, jaw tightens.

Ryoma can't help but recalling how Shimamura smacked Nakahara's head back then.

And now, the timing, moving up from Super Featherweight, and the old grudge Shimamura carried when Nakahara kicked him out for being a brat with no discipline, and the parting words he spat that day:

"Fine. I'll find another gym. But mark my words… I'll break your boxer the day we meet. That's if… you've got the guts to put him in with me."

Ryoma exhales sharply, closing the page with a flick of his thumb.

"First Sekino… now Shimamura," he mutters, rubbing his eyes. "Can't they leave the past where it is…"

He sets the phone back down and takes his first bite, the morning settling around him, quiet, sore, and somehow a little brighter than yesterday.

Fiinishing with breakfast and the dishes, he grabs a hoodie from the back of a chair and slips it on carefully. The ache on the ribs is still there.

He doesn't go for roadwork today. He's still in recovery, and his body isn't ready for that kind of strain yet.

"I'm going out," he calls toward the hallway.

His mother's voice floats from her bedroom, groggy but concerned, "Not running, right?"

"Not running," he answers.

"Good," she mumbles. "Be back for lunch."

Ryoma steps outside, closing the door behind him.

The morning air is cool enough to sting the bruise on his face, but it wakes him up. He walks the familiar route toward the gym, hands in his hoodie pocket, stride slow and uneven from the lingering aches.

***

Once he arrives at Nakahara Boxing Gym, the place is still quiet at this hour. But Hiroshi is already moving around the ring area, sorting through the first-aid kit with the diligence of someone who definitely didn't sleep enough.

Ryoma doesn't greet today. He just heads straight toward the office.

Old man Nakahara is already there, seated behind his desk, newspaper unfolded wide, glasses perched on his nose. He barely looks up when Ryoma enters.

"Morning," Ryoma says.

"Hm." Nakahara's eyes skim a column. "You got the money?"

"Yeah," Ryoma says. "First good news I've had since waking up."

"Good." Nakahara flips to the next page. "Then why are you here? Don't tell me you're thinking about training already."

Ryoma doesn't answer. And Nakahara doesn't wait.

"You're taking a break. At least a week," he says flatly. "And even then, you're not touching a glove until you pass a medical checkup. I'm not having you collapse on me because you think you're invincible."

Ryoma leans against the doorframe, inhaling slow, his bruised ribs stretching uncomfortably.

And then, quietly:

"When will you send a challenge to the champion?"

The room goes still. Hiroshi freezes mid-sorting, a roll of bandage almost dropping from his hand.

Nakahara ignores the issue, simply turns a page of the newspaper. He doesn't look up, doesn't even breathe any louder.

"You remember the plan?" Ryoma says softly, leaning his back on the door frame. "A champion within a year. Now it's already been more than a year."

But there's still no response from Nakahara.

"I'm not impatient," Ryoma continues. "But the belt is within reach now."

Nakahara finally lowers the newspaper just enough to give him a cold, razor-thin stare.

"Go home," he says. "We'll talk about that once you're fully recovered. Until then, no boxing talk. Enjoy being alive for a few days."

Ryoma holds his gaze, not even arguing. He only came to remind the old man of that plan.

He nods once, stretching as muscles complaining, and turns to leave.

As he walks back home, a small truck rattles past, its entire side wrapped with an advertisement featuring Shinichi Yanagimoto, smiling confidently in a branded sportswear set, championship belt slung over his shoulder like a fashion accessory.

This is not coincident. Shinichi's face has been everywhere since securing the title.

Ryoma barely glances at the man's face. He doesn't care about him. His eyes only lock on the belt, nothing else.

"Enjoy it while you can… because I'll be taking that belt from you soon enough."

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