Superbon impressed by Takeru Segawa's unyielding spirit after training with him: "He does not give up"
Per Superbon, the word quit does not exist in the dictionary of Japanese kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa.
The former three-division K-1 world champion spent some time honing his craft alongside the Superbon training camp head honcho in the lead-up to his promotional bow against 'The Kicking Machine' Superlek Kiatmoo9 in January this year. Killing two birds with one stone, 'The Natural Born Crusher' also got some reps in with famed all gas and no brakes coach Trainer Gae.
And from what he has witnessed, the ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion fully understands what makes the Yonago City native a special breed. The 34-year-old told the South China Morning Post:
"I had some time to train with Takeru in my gym. I think the guy is very persistent. He does not give up. I see him spar and train, and I see him never giving up. So that is a strong side [about] him."
Though the Team Vasileus star eventually slumped to a defeat to Superlek in their ONE flyweight kickboxing world title clash in Tokyo, Japan, the knowledge he acquired from his sessions alongside the interim king and Trainer Gae should come in handy when he faces off against Burmese slugger Thant Zin in about a week at ONE Friday Fights 81.
Takeru has fully recovered from the injuries he picked up during the nail-biting 15-minute war. Per his Instagram posts and YouTube clips, he looks to be at 100 percent leading up to his fight inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, next Friday, Sept. 27.
Watch Superbon's interview with SCMP here:
Superbon headlines ONE Friday Fights 81 alongside Jo Nattawut
Apart from Takeru's return, the promotion's electric ONE Friday Fights 81 card will feature a main event showdown between ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion Superbon and 'Smokin' Jo Nattawut. His gold will not be on the line as they lock horns in a Muay Thai scrap.
That evening, the Bangkok-based star hopes to build on his statement win over Marat Grigorian this past April. As for Nattawut, the 35-year-old aims to get back to winning ways before his ONE featherweight Muay Thai world title joust with Tawanchai PK Saenchai at ONE 169: Atlanta.
ONE Friday Fights 81 will be available via pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com. The card broadcasts live from the Mecca of Muay Thai in Asia primetime on Friday, Sept. 27.