Takeru Segawa will always remain one of the best kickboxers of all time, and he's ready to put that reputation on the line when he makes his comeback fight earlier this month.
The Japanese kickboxing superstar will face Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81 on Sept. 27 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.
Takeru has been out of competition for almost seven months due to injury, yet he's determined to put on a show in Bangkok that fits his regal character.
A few months before his highly anticipated return, Takeru flew to California for a brief training camp at Boxing Works and he's ready to unleash his power against Thant Zin when they step between the ropes for their flyweight kickboxing showdown.
Takeru Segawa posted on Instagram:
"Had a great training camp at @boxingworks last month 🇺🇸 Time to show the world why I'm the best.🔥 #ONEFridayFights81 #tbt @onechampionship"
Takeru has his home gym, Team Vasileus, in Tokyo, but he often flies to the United States to train at Boxing Works to complement his routine ahead of big fights.
Boxing Works is one of the best kickboxing and Muay Thai gyms outside Asia and houses Filipino-American star Jackie Buntan and former ONE atomweight kickboxing world champion Janet Todd.
Takeru is arguably the greatest Japanese kickboxer in history and is the only fighter to become a three-division world champion in K-1 Kickboxing history.
He eventually debuted in ONE Championship at ONE 165 in January this year but suffered a tough unanimous decision loss to Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title.
That fight also saw Takeru suffer multiple muscle tears in his left leg due to Superlek's incessant low kicks throughout the five-round match at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Takeru Segawa takes in the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium with Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Takeru Segawa didn't spend his entire time in California training away at Boxing Works.
In one of his off days, Takeru decided to visit Dodger Stadium to watch the Los Angeles Dodgers and meet up with star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The pair of Japanese superstars even had a staredown in the stadium's back tunnels before Takeru met up with some fans who quickly recognized him.
"Is it okay? I feel sorry for him to do it with a straight face. I couldn't do a straight face at all," said Takeru Segawa in an Instagram video of his interaction with Yamamoto.
He added:
"It's so much bigger [looking at Dodger Stadium from the inside] and different from what I've imagined. I'm very happy to be recognized even when I'm in the US. I want to be an athlete that's well-known around the world. It makes me motivated to do even more."