Ryohei Kurosawa Envisions Third-Round Knockout Against Bokang Masunyane
Ryohei Kurosawa has already visualized the ending — round three, Bokang Masunyane crumbling to the canvas, validation of six months spent dissecting every frame of fight film in preparation for the biggest test of his career.
The 32-year-old Japanese striker carries a six-fight winning streak into ONE Fight Night 39 on Friday, January 23, facing a South African contender who maximizes every physical advantage despite standing just five-foot-one. Kurosawa enters three inches taller but understands height means nothing if “Little Giant” drags him to the mat.
His promotional debut against Jayson Miralpez last September provided the perfect introduction — a dominant performance that announced his arrival among the world’s elite strawweights. Three knockouts dot his recent run, each finish building confidence that now sits at an all-time high.
But confidence without preparation breeds disaster. Kurosawa and his coaching staff at The Blackbelt Japan have spent months building the blueprint for dismantling Masunyane’s explosive wrestling game.
“Bokang is really good with his wrestling and grappling, and he’s really fast,” Kurosawa said. “I’ve tried to find a similar-sized body type that is built like Bokang Masunyane for this fight camp. That’s where my focus has been.”
The scouting report revealed the window of opportunity. Masunyane explodes early, using speed and timing to nullify taller opponents in the opening round. Survive that storm, and patterns emerge. Cardio begins to fade. Opportunities appear.
“In all of his fights I watched, he’s really quick. So I think I’ll need to slow it down a bit, maybe [in the first round]. From round two, I can overwhelm him and maybe strike him to finish him,” he said.
The visualization comes next, crystal clear in his mind.
“I have an image of me knocking him out,” he continued. “That’s been on my mind. Maybe a knockout in the third round.”
Six consecutive victories create momentum, but they also create blindspots. Kurosawa refuses to let his winning streak breed complacency. He’s studied Masunyane’s losses to Sanzhar Zakirov and Mansur Malachiev with the same intensity as the victories, searching for weaknesses while respecting the dangers.
“In both of his past [losses], he did pretty okay,” Kurosawa said. “Maybe if he had brought a better game plan, he would have won. I’m not underestimating him. I know he’ll want to win this fight, so he’ll come in with more than 100 percent focus.”
The fight represents more than divisional advancement for the Japanese technician. This is about carrying his nation’s banner on the global stage, about proving Japan’s best can compete with anyone inside Lumpinee Stadium’s hallowed canvas.
“It’ll be important for me to continue winning and representing Japan in the best possible way. I want to make my country proud, and the best way to do that is to get a win in this next fight.”
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