Haggerty Stops Akimoto in Tokyo for Third Kickboxing Title Defense

Jonathan Haggerty remains unbeaten in kickboxing. The Briton headlined ONE SAMURAI 4 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo on October 17 and defended his ONE bantamweight kickboxing world title for the third time, as Hiroki Akimoto's corner threw in the towel 42 seconds into the third round.

Akimoto, a veteran of the Power of Dream gym, had waited four years for the chance. He lost the belt in 2022 and rebuilt his case with three straight wins, earning a title shot in front of his home crowd. Haggerty, 29, arrived with two defenses already on his record.

Momentum swings in the first two rounds

Haggerty opened with high volume, but the 34-year-old challenger settled into a rhythm and landed hooks, one of which visibly shook the champion. Haggerty answered by firing back before the bell. In the second round, a flying knee from Haggerty sent Akimoto into the fence, only for the Japanese fighter to snap the champion's head back with a superman punch and swing the momentum his way.

Knees end it in round three

Akimoto came out aggressive in the third and met Haggerty head-on. A right hand pushed the challenger into a shell, and a knee through the guard dropped him to the canvas. Akimoto beat the count, yet a flurry of punches and another knee followed, and his corner stopped the fight moments later.

The win improved Haggerty to 25-5 overall and earned him a US$100,000 performance bonus. A former two-sport ONE world champion, he trains with Team Underground and Knowlesy Academy and remains unbeaten in kickboxing.