Ippo's and Hakusho's authors friends or something

[Ral]

I just started to read the Hajime no Ippo manga. I just got to the part where Ippo found out his opponent for his first pro match and the name is Yusuke. He also looks like Yusuke from Yu Yu Hakusho. Also in the YYH manga, there was also a kid that kind of looked like Ippo. He also was picked on and then ended up joining boxing. I also noticed that the girls name in HnI was Reiko while YYH is Keiko. Was this something they got together to do to have these resemblances?

[snoopy]

Judging by the time frame of both mangas, I'd say no. And if it isn't a coincidence, then it's an homage to Ippo.

BTW, HnI started in the late 80's.