Kickboxing legend Takeru Segawa is grateful for the opportunity to finally trade blows with former flyweight champion Rodtang Jitmuangon.
The two are set to battle at ONE 172 at Japan’s Saitama Super Arena, and it’s a matchup that fans are eagerly anticipating. They were originally scheduled to fight at ONE 165, but Rodtang had to pull out due to an injury. Takeru went on to face Superlek Kiatmoo9 instead but lost by unanimous decision.
Despite the delay, Takeru is excited that the fight is finally coming to fruition and can’t wait to bring his best to the cage.
“I just cannot wait to fight him. As I said before, this is what I’ve been aiming for—not only leading up to what ultimately became a fight against Superlek, but through the long grind of recovery,” Takeru said. “I feel nothing but excitement, and I’m preparing to meet him in the ring.”
“Of course, I need to win, but in a way, I feel like I’ve recaptured the exhilaration I felt early in my career—simply going into the fight with the sole intention of fiercely punching my opponent and winning,” he added. “That’s how I approached my fight with Thant Zin, and I feel I can do the same in my upcoming fight against Rodtang.”
Takeru is entering into ONE 172 with a bounce-back victory in his last match in September, where he knocked out rising Burmese fighter Thant Zin in the second round of their kickboxing match.
His opponent, Rodtang has also won his last two matches, with his most recent victory coming in November over British striker Jacob Smith.
