Dutch kickboxer Nieky Holzken is relishing the opportunity to face Japanese favourite Yoshihiro Akiyama at ONE 165 on 28 January after their special rules fight was announced at a press conference in Tokyo.
Former GLORY welterweight world champion Holzken, 40, will face former judoka Akiyama, 48, under a special rule set at Ariake Arena.
Round one will be contested under boxing rules, round two will be fought under Muay Thai rules and the third and final stanza will have MMA rules.
“It’s great to fight Akiyama, a champion and a legend from japan,” Holzken told AsiaFighting.
Multi-sport standout Holzken was an injury replacement in the World Boxing Super Series’ super middleweight tournament in 2017. The Dutchman lost a unanimous decision to the then-unbeaten Brit Callum Smith.
‘The Natural’ is no stranger to fighting in Japan.
Holzken has enjoyed some of the greatest triumphs of his career in Japan including winning the K-1 World MAX Final in 2008 against South African Virgil Kalakoda with a third round KO (right hook).
Tokyo was also the setting for the former Golden Glory team member’s 2013 Glory Welterweight Tournament with a semi-final win over Karapet Karapetyan and on the same night a victory over Joseph Valtellini in the final.
“My favourite memory of fighting in Japan is when I became world champion for the first time in Tokyo in GLORY in 2013.”
ONE 165 will be headlined by Takeru Segawa v Superlek Kiatmoo9 with the latter’s ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship on the line.
This is a clown show fight!! Keep it on fight circus please! Nieky Holzken is so old and shot. He’s gonna get MURKED and DESTROYED by his opponent. hold up; I’m hearing something from the editor. OMG, his opponent is someone they pulled from the senior’s buffet on Wednesdaya. you have lived and loved a wonderful life Mr Akiyama.