The opportunity to face Takeru is only a single fight away for one of Muay Thai's most well-known practitioners.
Reigning ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon will return from a nine-month-long layoff, one of the longest breaks in his career, to face Denis Puric under kickboxing rules at ONE 167 on June 7.
Rodtang was initially expected to face Takeru Segawa at ONE 165 on January 28 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, before he was sidelined with a hand injury, which he announced on January 5. According to ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong, Rodtang is "…100% now. His hands are 100%. And his form is hot right now.", while "...Takeru wants another fight this year", suggesting the possibility of the fight between two stars being rebooked should Rodtang prevail on June 7.
Denis Puric, who rebounded from his loss to Yodlekpet with two straight wins, will most assuredly play the role of the underdog in this matchup. With both his opponent and the promotion CEO already looking past him at the Takeru fight, he'll certainly be motivated to prove them wrong.
Nonetheless, a questionable booking, considering Puric has only competed under the ONE Muay Thai ruleset and has called to fight for the title – which will now go undefended until at least 2025 – instead.
There are currently no other kickboxing bouts announced for the event. The co-headlining bout will a ONE Featherweight Muay Thai World Championship bout between Tawanchai P.K.Saenchai and Smokin' Jo Nattawut.
