After the tragic incident during Joe and Rikiishi's match, Joe grapples with the aftermath for six long months. Despite the haunting memory, Joe decides to stage a remarkable comeback. With an impressive series of body blow knockouts, he earns a shot at the national title, although it seems more like a setup by the boxing commission to diminish him. Facing the reigning champion, Tiger Ozaki, Joe finds himself struggling against his own fears, reluctant to aim for the face due to past events. It's then that Youko, Joe's romantic interest and the gym owner where Rikiishi once trained, intervenes by introducing Carlos Rivera, a renowned boxer from Venezuela. Together, they pave Joe's path towards redemption and glory in the regional and global boxing arenas.