"I am not afraid of Takeru" - Burmese rising star Thant Zin more than ready for career-defining showdown against Takeru

Burmese standout Thant Zin is prepared to go guns blazing against Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Friday, Sept. 27, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.

During the pre-event virtual press conference, the 19-year-old shared his excitement in having the opportunity to fight one of the best kickboxers on the planet despite his unfamiliarity with kickboxing rules, saying:

"I have never played under the rules of traditional kickboxing, but I am not afraid of Takeru. I want to meet him ASAP."

Watch the entire press conference below:

ONE Friday Fights 81 will mark Takeru's long-awaited return to the Circle after making his promotional debut this past January, where he challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world championship. 'The Kicking Machine' retained the crown via unanimous decision.

Meanwhile, Thant Zin made his ONE Championship debut the following month at ONE Friday Fights 52, where he overwhelmed Jaising Sitnayokpansak for the second-round TKO win. This past August, the Taw Win Ayeyar Club star knocked out Tai Sor Jor Piek Uthai barely a minute into the first round.

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Thant Zin's lethwei fighting style receives full props from Takeru

Takeru is not rushing to get into a firefight with Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Friday, Sept.27, inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, owing to the Burmese rising star's experience in lethwei.

Speaking with ONE Championship, Takeru stated:

"He's [Thant Zin] the type to throw full-swing punches with a lot of power in single shots. Being from lethwei, he has physical strength and throws each punch with a clenched fist, so I need to be cautious of that."

ONE Friday Fights 81 is available live via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.

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