Japanese kickboxing star Takeru Segawa is all set to return to action for his second promotional fight at ONE Friday Fights 81: Superbon vs. Nattawut against the dangerous Thai striker Black Panther in a flyweight kickboxing fight. The event is scheduled to take place at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 27th. Although the fight is still many weeks away, Takeru Segawa is leaving no stone unturned in his preparation.

In his ONE Championship debut at ONE 165 in January 2024, Takeru faced ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9, where he lost by unanimous decision. Determined to learn from his past mistakes, Takeru recently uploaded a video to Instagram showcasing a sparring session with ISKA world champion Takumi Terada. The caption read, “Last one before America with Takumi @takumiterada_,”, hinting that Takeru is headed to the United States.

This isn’t the first time Takeru Segawa has shared a sparring video with Terada. They previously sparred at their home gym, Vasileus Gym, in Japan last May. While there was no official fight announcement at that time, Takeru’s recent sparring video with Terada has caught fans’ attention. Many were stunned by the three-time K-1 kickboxing champion’s speed, as Terada spent most of the time on defense.

Fans awestruck by Takeru Segawa’s sparring 

In the comments, fans pointed out several aspects of Takeru Segawa’s training regimen. One fan praised Takeru’s strategy of sparring in a small space, claiming it enhances skills due to the close-quarters nature of the exchanges. They commented, “Once you get used to being in a small place, you’ll be able to fight in a game.” Meanwhile, another user offered well wishes to Takeru Segawa for future endeavors, commenting, “Pop up lined up. Looking forward to it!”

Another fan wished Takeru Segawa good luck for his trip to the USA and being away from home, commenting, “Good luck in the USA It’s nice to see you at training camp Practice → Event is tough, but I was happy for the kind words to the fans on the way home.” Meanwhile, fellow K-1 athlete Fumiya Osawa complimented Segawa’s outfit choice during the sparring session, commenting, “Celtics pants! Looking so good.” 

Some enthusiasts expressed feeling motivated by Takeru Segawa, with one revealing, “Good job I feel empowered every day. Thank you.” This sentiment was echoed by another fan who pledged full support for Takeru against Black Panther, commenting, “Full support every day 🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥.”

The upcoming fight between Black Panther and Takeru Segawa promises to be a thrilling battle. Can Takeru halt Black Panther’s momentum or will the Thai striker extend his winning streak? The stage is set for an explosive clash that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the flyweight kickboxing division.