I'm actually really digging this "Ippo as a second" business. Lots of Kumi, even some development, seeing other characters come to terms with their favorite retard quitting, Umezawa got an apprentice, Miyata being a faggot as usual, it's pretty good.
I appreciate that we found a way to stick Ippo back in the position of not knowing shit so he has an excuse to be a fuckup again.
However, we really don't need chapter on chapter of "Ippo come back", "Oh no is he gonna come back after he said he wasn't?", "Nope", "Oh good", but then you see this look in his eye that says "I kinda wanna come back". Seriously that got old almost immediately. I hate how this manga just drags plot pooints out excruciatingly long.
It's like the whole "Is he punch drunk!?" Plot all over again.