How Hiroki Akimoto Climbed Back From Three Straight Losses To Challenge For Jonathan Haggerty’s ONE World Title
Three consecutive defeats could have ended Hiroki Akimoto’s time among the bantamweight elite. Instead, the former ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion rebuilt himself, and now he gets the chance to reclaim the throne he once ruled.
The 34-year-old challenges Jonathan “The General” Haggerty for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. He enters on a three-fight winning streak, with decisions over John “Hands of Stone” Lineker, “Demon Blade” Wei Rui, and Taimu Hisai.
Those wins showcased the speed, sharp combinations, disciplined movement, and punishing kicks that once carried the Power of Dream representative to ONE gold. They also caught the attention of the man he now faces.
Haggerty has followed Akimoto’s career for years and has spoken openly about how highly he rates him. For the Japanese star, that respect carries extra meaning given everything he went through.
“Given that I went through three losses in a row, the fact that he still felt that way about me might mean he expected me to climb back up,” Akimoto said.
“I think I’ll be a tougher opponent for him than anyone he’s faced before. It’s nice that he felt that way, but I want to prove it properly in the fight.”
The Englishman has knocked out Fabricio Andrade to claim the vacant belt and defended it against Wei and Yuki Yoza. Akimoto was ringside when Haggerty dominated Yoza over five rounds at ONE SAMURAI 1, and he came away impressed but unshaken.
Haggerty has also predicted a second-round finish this time. Rather than feeling threatened, the Kyokushin Karate specialist sees that confidence as an opening.
“Of course, I’ve prepared for every scenario. But Haggerty said at the press conference earlier that he’s going for a second-round finish, and if he comes at me looking for a finish, that actually makes it easier for me to finish him,” Akimoto said.
“It depends on how he comes at me, but if he comes to knock me out, there’s a chance I end up knocking him out instead.”
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