I've read deathnote, seen the anime and the live action and I don't remember 1 fight scene...it was a while ago but I don't remember any scenes involving technical hand to hand combat. It's been a while I admit but meh.

kenpachi looks promising but I get the feeling it won't be what I'm looking for. Youtube doesn't have episodes and I've forgotten the name of the place I normally go to watch animes.

Thanks to whoever recommended sword of the strangers, it's almost what I'm looking for.

If he's going to watch somthing made by Togashi he should go wit Hunter X Hunter which many still consider the best Shoununesc anime of all time. (Now Yogashi needs to get off his 12thish haitus and start up HxH manga again.....)

try shura no toki, it spans 3 generations of warriors who beat samurai swordsmen with their bare hands

edit: Baki the grappler is also a decent fighting anime with no super powers

I assume you have already seen all of Cowboy Bebop so I got nothing

History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi :P

Samurai Champloo
Shigurui

Yeah. Those two are both awesome and among my favorites..but I kinda feel like the op won't care much for them.

I would recommend Samurai Champloo or Rurouni Kenshin. But if you watch Rurouni Kenshin, make sure to watch the dubbed version. I usually prefer the japanese version, but in the japanese version the voice actor for the main character sounds like a girl. 

Watch "Baki the Grappler" its exactly what you want.

http://myanimelist.net/anime/287/Baki_the_Grappler

Blacksaber recomendations are great too, but "Baki" fits you requirments better so watch it first.

Hajime no Ippo is the best of that category for sure.