“Thank you for the great training” - Japanese kickboxing icon Takeru Segawa ramps up preparation for potential return to action
Takeru Segawa is ramping up his preparation for a possible comeback in ONE Championship. The Japanese kickboxing legend has set up camp at Boxing Works in Lawndale, California, ahead of a potential return to action following his ONE Championship debut at ONE 165.
Although Takeru has his home gym Team Vasileus in Tokyo, he often incorporates a short training camp in the United States whenever he has a fight lined up.
Taking to Instagram, Takeru revealed he had a total of 11 rounds of sparring against five different training partners in his most recent training session at Boxing Works.
"Sparring day 🥊🇺🇸. Thank you for the great training. Today it was 5-1, 11 rounds in total. It was great practice, thank you!" wrote Takeru Segawa in his post.
Takeru is arguably the greatest Japanese kickboxer of all time and is the only person in K-1 Kickboxing history to hold world titles in three separate weight classes.
'The Natural Born Crusher' ultimately made his way to ONE Championship in 2023 when he signed an exclusive contract with the promotion. Takeru debuted at ONE 165, where he challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title in the card's main event at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Superlek, however, spoiled Takeru's first match in ONE Championship when he beat the Japanese icon via unanimous decision to retain the gold.
It's unclear who Takeru will fight in his next match in, but fans have constantly clamored for a super fight against ONE flyweight Muay Thai world champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon.
Jonathan Di Bella wants dream fight against Takeru Segawa
There's no doubt that Takeru Segawa is one of the greatest fighters of his generation, and that reputation brings with it a massive target on his back.
Jonathan Di Bella, the former ONE strawweight kickboxing world champion, is one of those fighters who want to take a shot at the Japanese sensation.
In an interview with Calf Kick Sports, Di Bella said he wants to take Takeru in a catchweight fight once the 32-year-old is back to full health:
"Maybe, maybe, [we can talk about a catchweight fight against Takeru]. Like if he's okay. If he's ready to go."
Di Bella, though, has a match coming up when he takes ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai for the division's vacant kickboxing throne at ONE Friday Fights 68 on June 28 at the hallowed Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.