Regian Eersel Aiming For Japanese Debut Against Rukiya Anpo
Regian “The Immortal” Eersel has built a career that spans continents, from North America to Asia. Yet one martial arts hotbed remains missing from his resume, and the reigning two-sport king would quite like to fix that.
The ONE Lightweight Muay Thai and Kickboxing World Champion will be watching closely when Rukiya “Demolition Man” Anpo and Bogdan Shumarov meet in lightweight kickboxing at ONE SAMURAI 4 on Saturday, October 17, live from Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Eersel is ready to defend his kickboxing crown against whoever emerges from the bout.
The 33-year-old comes into that conversation in fine form. Earlier this month at The Inner Circle 33, he survived a first-round knockdown against George “G-Unit” Jarvis before rallying for a fourth-round stoppage that secured a record 12th World Title victory.
One of his potential challengers has already come close to sharing the ring with him. Shumarov, a Bulgarian with a 19-3 record whose three ONE wins have all ended by stoppage, was once booked for a title shot.
“[Shumarov] was supposed to fight me. I even signed the contract with his name on it. But then he got injured,” Eersel said.
That cancelled booking left unfinished business between the pair. The SB Gym product still brings the heavy hooks and overhands that earned him the opportunity in the first place.
Anpo, a Himeji native and former K-1 Super Lightweight Champion, moves up a weight class after a unanimous decision loss to Marat Grigorian at ONE 173 last November. Eersel would happily face either man, but he concedes one result would suit him slightly better.
“I slightly hope Anpo’s gonna win so I can finally fight in Japan. But we will see. We will see,” he said.
“I’ve never been to Japan, so it sounds pretty cool to me to fight over there.”
Whoever gets the nod, the Surinamese-Dutch superstar is excited by the prospect of a fresh challenger. He wishes both men well, with one ominous caveat attached.
“To both boys – I got my eyes on you,” Eersel said.
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