“I can concentrate for a little while” - Japanese superstar Takeru wraps up US training camp ahead of ONE Friday Fights 81

Takeru Segawa can get a bit of a breather after wrapping up his California training camp nearly a month before his highly anticipated return to action.

The Japanese kickboxing legend will make his return from injury when he faces Thai slugger Black Panther in a flyweight kickboxing match at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27 at the historic Lumpinee Stadium.

In preparation for his comeback, Takeru flew to the United States for a brief training camp at Boxing Works.

Takeru has his home gym Team Vasileus in Tokyo but would often fly to the United States and train at the same facility where Jackie Buntan and former ONE atomweight kickboxing world champion Janet Todd train.

In an Instagram post, Takeru wrote he could lie low for a bit before ramping up his training at Team Vasileus.

He posted:

"I made it through USA training camp 🇺🇸I was able to practice well and get into amazing condition. I can concentrate for a little while until the match. September 27th will win."

Takeru is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Japanese kickboxers of all time and he remains the only fighter to have won the K-1 Kickboxing world title across three divisions.

He then moved to ONE Championship earlier this year when he challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title at ONE 165 in January.

Despite a near-finish in the third round, Takeru succumbed to Superlek's constant pressure and lost via unanimous decision in front of his hometown fans at Ariake Arena.

Takeru also suffered multiple muscle tears in his left leg due to Superlek's barrage in their Tokyo super fight.

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Takeru roots for ex-opponent Superlek in super fight against Jonathan Haggerty at ONE 168

He may have lost to Superlek in his ONE Championship debut, but Takeru Segawa is firmly rooting for the Thai superstar in the main event of ONE 168: Denver.

Superlek will challenge two-sport king Jonathan Haggerty for the ONE bantamweight Muay Thai world title in the card's main event on September 6 at Ball Arena in Denver.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, Takeru said he's rooting for Superlek against Haggerty, who also holds the ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title. He added that hopes to secure a rematch against 'The Kicking Machine':

"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."