‘I’m Going To Do A Demolition Job’ – Jonathan Haggerty Out To Silence Hiroki Akimoto On Home Turf At ONE SAMURAI 4
ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing World Champion Jonathan “The General” Haggerty has hunted this matchup for years. Now that he has finally cornered his target, he fully plans to make an example of him.
The British superstar defends his twenty-six pounds of gold against former divisional king Hiroki Akimoto in the main event of ONE SAMURAI 4 inside the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, on Saturday, October 17.
This kind of palpable anticipation does not build overnight. “The General” has tracked the Japanese challenger’s career for years, long before the two were formally matched up, and few opponents have ever earned this level of profound respect from him.
That respect carries real weight given exactly who it is coming from. Haggerty — aiming for his 25th career victory — does not hand out praise easily, especially heading into a clash where his own World Title is on the line.
He told onefc.com:
“I feel excited now that it’s finally here. Me and Akimoto are ready to fight. For years, I’ve always wanted to fight him. I’ve considered him probably one of the best in the division.
“He’s fought the best. His style as well…I like his style. I feel like our styles will gel well together, and it’ll provide a good, explosive fight for the fans.”
That mutual respect explains why the 29-year-old has followed his opponent’s recent form so closely, particularly the grueling stretch that ultimately earned the Japanese star a coveted shot at regaining the belt that was once in his possession.
After all, Akimoto’s arduous path back to this moment was not a straight line. He opened his ONE Championship tenure with an impressive 6-1 stretch before dropping three straight.
Then, he completely turned things around with three impressive decision wins, the last of which came against Taimu Hisai at ONE SAMURAI 1 — the exact same card where Haggerty put on a five-round masterclass against Yuki Yoza to retain his bantamweight kickboxing throne.
“The General” added:
“He’s been in the organization for a long time. He’s fought the best. And now it’s his time to challenge me for the belt. He’s done what he’s had to do.
“He’s beaten whoever they’ve put in front of him. Meanwhile, I’ve basically beaten the top opponents in the division now, so it was only right for him to get his opportunity.”
Competing in enemy territory fundamentally adds an extra layer of adversity to any title defense, and Haggerty knows better than most what awaits him walking into Akimoto’s home country.
The Knowlesy Academy and Team Underground pride already faced a hostile Japanese crowd this past April, and the stark parallels between that night and this one are not lost on the reigning king.
Asked how much of an edge the hometown advantage might actually give his opponent, he did not hesitate for a second.
Haggerty said:
“I think it works as much as it did for Yuki Yoza. Not a lot. I mean, they can’t help him when he’s in there. It’s just him and me.
“Neither of his coaches can help him either. They can give him instructions, but ultimately, it’s me and him in the middle of the ring. I’ve been in the back garden of every fighter. As long as I turn up, meet him in the middle, then that’s it.”
Haggerty’s Plan To Shatter Akimoto’s Dreams
Respect for his opponent has certainly not stopped Jonathan Haggerty from identifying exactly where he believes the blockbuster fight will be won. After all, the Englishman’s confidence stems not just from his natural talent, but from good old-fashioned elbow grease inside the gym.
“The General” has studied Hiroki Akimoto’s game intimately. Stylistically, Haggerty sounds fully convinced he already possesses the precise blueprint to shut down anything the Japanese star lays out on the table.
He explained:
“He’s very one-dimensional, but I also think he’s got good combinations. And as I said, he’s very explosive. He’s got good high kicks. But you could have the best game plan in the world. But when I punch you and when I move around you, it’s a different story.
“I do believe I’m going to do a demolition job. Some fights I go in there with game plans and stick to it, but this one I really do think I’m going to put a stop to it – a full stop – and make a real big statement.”
Should that destructive plan come together seamlessly, the conversation naturally shifts toward what comes next for the bantamweight kickboxing titleholder, and the pride of London has grand designs on returning to form as the undisputed king of Muay Thai.
Haggerty has made it abundantly clear exactly where his sights are set, pointing directly toward reclaiming the bantamweight Muay Thai crown he lost to “The Kicking Machine” Superlek at ONE 168: Denver back in September 2024.
He concluded:
“Defending the belt means a lot to me, you know. It always has. And to keep defending the belt is the main goal for me.
“But I believe after I defend this belt, Yod-IQ [Or Pimolsri] or Rambolek [Chor Ajalaboon] will be next for me.”
