Takeru says recent training trip to America has him dialed in like never before: “Being able to focus 120 percent”
Japanese kickboxing megastar Takeru Segawa feels like his training excursion to America was a smashing success.
Speaking of smashing things, 'The Natural Born Crusher' will look to smash his way into the win column for the first time since signing with ONE Championship he makes his highly anticipated return to the ring this Friday night, Sept. 27.
Emanating from the legendary Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, ONE Friday Fights 81 will see the former three-division K-1 world champion square off with Burmese knockout artist Thant Zin.
It will be one of many matchups that feature some of the best strikers on the planet, including current or former ONE world champions Superbon, Nong-O Hama, Ilias Ennahachi, and Hiroki Akimoto.
Speaking with the promotion ahead of his highly anticipated sophomore appearance, Takeru discussed his recent training camp with the promotion and how he's feeling mere hours away from fight night:
"It's for the training environment, being able to focus 120 percent on martial arts, and the fact that there are various types of fighters, so I can train with different styles each time".
Takeru seeks first win in ONE following five-round war with Superlek
ONE Championship fans first got a glimpse of 'The Natural Born Crusher' on martial arts' biggest global stage in January when he made his promotional debut against current two-sport ONE world champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 at ONE 165 in Tokyo.
'The Kicking Machine' and 'The Natural Born Crusher' delivered a five-round instant classic that ultimately saw Superlek walk away with his hand raised.
Determined to work his way back to a rematch — or a long-awaited clash with Rodtang Jitmuangnon — Takeru will have to go through 19-year-old prospect Thant Zin.
Making two appearances in ONE so far, the Burmese slugger bested Jaising Sitnayokpansak and Tai Sor Jor Piek Uthai in back-to-back knockouts.
Who comes out on top when one of ONE's hottest young guns meets a true icon of the kickboxing scene?
ONE Friday Fights 81 will air live and exclusively on pay-per-view on Friday, Sept. 27 at Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. You can purchase the event exclusively on the official ONE Championship website.