So, not sure how many people read the forums here, but who else things maybe Ippo is going to jump to another weight class? This would solve SOO many problems, and he doesn't have to stay there.
Ippo weighs ~124 lbs, Lightweight (Aoki's class) is 130? A bit of muscle, and he could do it. He easily has a punch to drop anyone in that weight class... seems to me it might be time to become a little Takamura.

Just a thought. 🙂