“Getting pretty squeezed” - Japanese megastar Takeru Segawa says he’s getting closer to flyweight limit ahead of return

Takeru Segawa is getting closer to peak shape ahead of his highly anticipated return from injury.

The Japanese megastar revealed on Instagram that he's close to hitting the flyweight limit of 135 pounds barely a month before he faces Black Panther in a flyweight kickboxing matchup at ONE Friday Fights 81.

Takeru's return from injury goes down on September 27 at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium.

He wrote on Instagram:

"Getting pretty squeezed 🔥🇺🇸 Just a little bit more to lose weight."

Takeru Segawa has been putting his body to the absolute limit during his California training camp at Boxing Works.

From intense cardio workouts to multi-round sparring sessions, the number two flyweight kickboxing contender is ticking off all the boxes in preparation for his return.

Takeru is considered one of the greatest Japanese kickboxers of all time and he was the only fighter to reign as a three-division world champion in K-1 Kickboxing history.

He ultimately moved to ONE Championship in 2023 when he debuted against Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title.

The duo put on an absolute masterpiece at Ariake Arena in Tokyo in January this year. Takeru nearly scored a stunning third-round finish when he unleashed a storm of punches against Superlek in the corner.

Superlek, however, had control for much of the fight for the unanimous decision win.

Takeru also suffered multiple muscle tears in his left leg due to Superlek's constant leg kicks throughout the five-round matchup.

ONE Friday Fights 81 is available live on pay-per-view at watch.onefc.com.

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Takeru Segawa eyes rematch against Superlek

While he's busy preparing for his match against Black Panther, Takeru Segawa is also keen on watching the titanic clash between world champions Superlek Kiatmoo9 and Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168: Denver.

Superlek will challenge Haggerty for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title at the card's main event on September 6 at Ball Arena.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Takeru said he couldn't predict the winner between Superlek and Haggerty, who also holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title.

Takeru, however, rooted for Superlek to win in hopes of securing a rematch against the Thai superstar.

"They're both strong, so I'm not sure who wins. But I want a rematch with Superlek, so I don't want him to lose."