Jonathan Haggerty to defend kickboxing title against Hiroki Akimoto

Jonathan Haggerty is set to defend his ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Title against former champion Hiroki Akimoto at ONE SAMURAI 4. The event is scheduled for October 17 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Akimoto, who is currently on a three-bout winning streak, expressed respect for Haggerty’s evolution from a Muay Thai specialist into a complete kickboxer capable of both finishing opponents and scoring points. Akimoto stated he has studied the champion’s movement and distance management to prepare for the challenge.

Haggerty, a two-sport legend in the organization, intends to rely on his extensive experience in five-round world title fights and high-pressure environments. He noted that his career, which includes winning titles in both Muay Thai and kickboxing, has provided significant character building and preparation for this defense.