Minoru Fujii (藤井稔, Fujii Minoru) is a sports journalist, who works for the Monthly Boxing Fan.
A veteran reporter with a keen eye for potential, Fujii is constantly following with his partners the careers of many Japanese boxers. While most other reporters cover only the most important events, Fujii is known to closely report on relatively unknown, upcoming boxers who are considered underdogs.
Background
Shinoda and Fuji's Past
Before becoming a journalist, Fujii and Shinoda Tomoyuki were friends who were amateur boxers. He was an out-boxer when he was partaking in city tournaments. One day, Shinoda tells Fujii that he is going to turn pro, and looks forward to seeing him in the ring someday. However, he tells Shinoda that he thinks he is done as a boxer. Shinoda thought they shared the same dream- To go to the Olympics or become a champ as a pro. Fujii tells him to go and make that dream come true, while he decided to report on boxing instead. The two makes a promise for Shinoda to become a JBC champion, then world champion, as Fujii writes about him as he makes his way up. When Shinoda became pro, Fujii was there filming his pro debut.
History
Early Days Arc
Fujii watching the spar.
Fujii, along with his assistant while driving, notes how Japan has almost everything but world champions. He mentions that Miyata Ichirō is apparently good despite not having a pro debut. Fujii visits the Kamogawa Boxing Gym in order to talk to Miyata. He is thrilled when he hears that Miyata is about to have a spar. He watches the spar between Makunouchi Ippo and Miyata. At first, he didn't believe in Ippo, just watching the spar for the prodigy, Miyata. After the spar, Fujii is surprised at the outcome, he quickly gains interest in Ippo.
Fujii shows the picture of the last Uppercut Ippo threw that hit Miyata by 1cm. to Kamogawa Genji and Yagi Haruhiko. Later at Kourakuen Hall, Fujii introduces Ippo and Miyata to Mashiba Ryō.
After Ippo's win against Oda Yūsuke, Fujii notes how Ippo, Miyata, and Mashiba all had victories in their matches so far. When his partner doubts Ippo, Fujii notes that Ippo grows each time he fights. Fujii and his partner enters the Kamogawa Boxing Gym in order to meet Ippo. When he sees Ippo, he realises that Ippo is in a Peek-a-Boo stance. After Ippo is done training, Fujii informs him that Miyata and Mashiba are winning their matches and that it's almost time for the Rookie King Tournament, wishing him luck.
Rookie King Tournament: First Rounder Arc
After not only Ippo and Miyata, but also Mashiba (who the public had high expectations for) become professional boxers, Fujii covers the Rookie King Tournament where the trio will be participating along with prodigy Hayami Ryūichi. He gives more attention to Ippo than the other reporters as he already knows of Ippo's potential.
Red Lightning Arc
Fuji explaining the Power Grid Shapes
Fuji stops by the gym hoping to interview Ippo but he isn't there. Instead he interviews Kimura, Aoki, and Itagaki about the upcoming Class A tournament. While there, they ask Fuji to fill out a Power Grid on them. Kimura and Aoki's are round shaped. Itagaki doesn't know if his is good or not.
Fuji explains that if you image there's a sifter, the boxing world is a dangerous one where people are constantly falling through the cracks. They all get thrown together and shaken around and the smaller rounder a stone is, the faster it will fall. Of course, big stones (like Takamura) don't fall and make themselves home in the Pro Ring where they have long careers.
There is another type of rock that doesn't fall, rocks that are smaller than the holes in the sifter, but are shaped so they don't fall, the pointy stones. He thinks Ippo is one of them. By using specialized techniques and weapons, Itagaki doesn't fall through, and has a good chance to survive.
Unseen Heights Arc
Fuji mitt training
When Fujii visits the Kamogawa Boxing Gym, he does mitt training with the members of gym. He mentions he used to be an amateur out-boxer in the past, and once ran into a Prodigy in a city tournament. Fujii thought if he could beat him, he would turn pro. Instead, Fuji was taught a lesson, and his dream didn't last. While mitt training with them, Fuji mentions that Aoki's punches were like the prodigy.
Later on, when they discuss the shapes of their fists, he notes Ippo's are big, hard, and flat like a rectangle, where the force is more spread out. It the secret behind his strong punching power. Itagaki's Fist is like a Triangle. Fuji comments that if Ippo's fist have stopping power, then Itagaki's have more penetrating damage. They're good for pinpoint, precise punches, and they can lip through holes in enemy defences much easier.
Kimura's fist is a mixture between the two (or average.) Aoku's is Round Shaped, where Fuji mentions they tend to be slippery and can roll off target. Shinoda arrives, everyone discovers that Shinoda and Fuji have a history together.
That is when everyone in Kamogawa Gym discovered that the prodigy that Fuji was mentioning was Shinoda. Shinoda tells them that he lost his Pro Debut match, and lost over and over again. He only fought in six matches, and ended up with an average record. Everyone thinks instead of turning into a fist of a prodigy, it became a Fist of Betrayal. Shinoda apologises to Fuji about not able to fulfil their promise, but Fuji tells him it is okay, since he just wasn't suited to be a pro.
Appearance
Fujii has black eyes, spiky dark brown hair, a thin moustache that later grows into a fuller moustache, and a stubble. His attire is usually a black or brown business suit.
Personality
Fujii is one of the most knowledgeable and intuitive; been able to predict events or figure out techniques before most. He also has many connections within most local gyms, as he frequently visits the members in order to gather and share information. In addition to Ippo, he also seems to be friends with Takamura Mamoru and Date Eiji.
Quotes
- "You could sell tickets to a match-up like this!" -Signature quote, often says it during spars.
Gallery
Trivia
- A seldom-noticed running gag of the series is Fujii's constant attempts to quit smoking. He changes between cigarettes and nicotine replacement tubes regularly.
- According to Fuji, he was a crappy boxer dubbed "The Eternal #2" in a City Tournament.