Today, ONE Championship officially announced an exciting kickboxing bout between Japanese superstar Takeru Segawa and the resilient Denis Purić. This highly anticipated clash is set to take place at ONE 173 at the iconic Ariake Arena in Tokyo, promising a night of intense action for fight fans.
Takeru, widely regarded as one of the few remaining Japanese kickboxing talents capable of drawing massive crowds, is once again at the forefront of ONE Championship`s strategic push to captivate the Japanese market. After a surprising defeat to Rodtang, arguably ONE`s most prominent Thai star, Takeru finds himself in a critical position, needing to restore his competitive standing. His journey of image rehabilitation began after a more competitive loss to then-champion Superlek Kiatmookao. Subsequently, he faced the determined but less experienced Thant Zin, who managed to drop Takeru to the canvas in the opening round.
With a career spanning over 40 fights, nearly a decade and a half of professional competition, and a reputation for grueling sparring sessions, Takeru has openly faced challenges in recent years, often struggling to complete training camps without injury. Notably, his teammate and interim ONE 70kg kickboxing champion, Masaaki Noiri, disclosed that Takeru entered the Rodtang fight with significant injuries, including broken ribs and a broken sternum. The exact impact of these physical setbacks on his performance, particularly on his being knocked down in the first round of his last two fights, remains a complex factor to fully assess.
On the opposing side stands the seasoned brawler, Denis Purić, a 40-year-old former MMA fighter who has carved out a respectable career in both the Chinese and Japanese kickboxing circuits. Purić holds notable history, having previously faced both Rodtang and Takeru`s long-time training partner and friend, Koya Urabe. Purić himself has encountered a series of tough losses in recent bouts, including defeats to Rodtang, Elias Mahmoudi (though later overturned to a no-contest due to a positive drug test for Mahmoudi), and Jaosuayai Sor.Dechaphan. While these losses, much like Takeru`s defeats to Superlek and Rodtang, are against elite competition and not to be dismissed lightly, they regrettably place Purić in the challenging role of a “showcase opponent” – a fighter a promoter selects to ensure an entertaining contest, even if it might result in a valiant defeat.
From a stylistic perspective, this upcoming bout promises an action-packed affair heavily focused on boxing exchanges. The fight is poised to answer several lingering questions: How much longer can Takeru`s illustrious career endure? What is his current physical condition after a series of challenging camps and injuries? Can Purić leverage this opportunity to elevate himself beyond a difficult promotional pigeonhole? And crucially, who, if anyone, will step up to become the next primary Japanese draw in combat sports? All these questions await their answers on November 16 at ONE 173.
Rest of the Card at ONE 173
The ONE 173 kickboxing card is packed with other significant matchups, ensuring a memorable event for fans. Reigning Featherweight Champion Superbon will defend his title against Japan`s own Masaaki Noiri. The electrifying Yuki Yoza, ranked 8th pound-for-pound, is slated to challenge Superlek. Thai superstar Stamp Fairtex will step into the ring against Kana, and Hiroki Akimoto will seek redemption as he faces Wei Rui in a highly anticipated rematch following his decision loss last year.
Oliver Croft 
Jack Thornley