“We will win” - Takeru returns to the United States for training camp ahead of ONE Friday Fights 81 return against Black Panther

Takeru Segawa is back in the United States to ramp up his preparation ahead of his return to competition.

The Japanese kickboxing legend revealed that he's back in California more than a month before he faces Black Panther in a flyweight kickboxing match at ONE Friday Fights 81.

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

Taking to Instagram, Takeru expressed his confidence ahead of his much-awaited return to form.

He wrote:

"Starting today, I will go to training camp in America again🇺🇸 We’re less than two months left until the match. Concentrate and face yourself. From here, sharpen your mind and body even further. On September 27th, we will win."

Although he has his home gym of Team Vasileus in Tokyo, Takeru often flies to California to train at the famed Boxing Works gym whenever he has a fight lined up.

Takeru is one of ONE Championship's biggest free-agent signings, and the former three-division K-1 Kickboxing world champion ultimately made his debut for the promotion in January this year at ONE 165.

Headlining his debut card for ONE Championship, Takeru challenged Superlek Kiatmoo9 for the ONE flyweight kickboxing world title at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. He fell short in his world title bid and lost to Superlek via unanimous decision.

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

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Superlek gives Takeru props for withstanding his onslaught at ONE 165

Superlek Kiatmoo9 is used to seeing his opponents slowly crumble to his unrelenting pressure. That was until he faced Takeru Segawa in Tokyo...

Although he ultimately secured a unanimous decision win over the Japanese megastar, Superlek was visibly surprised when Takeru kept charging at him despite the furious offensive output he unleashed.

In an interview with ONE Championship, Superlek said:

"It looks like it burns. I was very surprised he was still standing at the end. Because every kick I threw, he didn't defend any of them. Some may be wondering, 'Why was Takeru not defending himself?' But don't forget Takeru's lead leg is his left leg. He has to step in to punch me. He can't protect himself whenever he steps in. He sacrificed his defense to attack me."

Takeru even made a mad dash effort in the third round of their fight when he nearly stopped Superlek with a barrage of punches on the corner.

Superlek, however, survived and went on to earn the nod of all three judges at ONE 165.