Denis Puric admits it would be unwise to mix it up with young Muay Thai stars of today: “They’re half my age”

Denis Puric knows his limitations, and he's honest enough to admit where his future lies.

The 40-year-old Bosnian-Canadian veteran squares off against former three-division K-1 champion Takeru Segawa in a flyweight kickboxing bout at ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside Tokyo's Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16.

In a pre-fight interview with ONE Championship, 'The Bosnian Menace' opened up about his preferred discipline moving forward and why he believes kickboxing offers him a better path than Muay Thai at this stage of his career.

Denis Puric said:

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"I think I should focus more on kickboxing than Muay Thai. These guys [in Muay Thai] are young lions, they're half my age. I think with kickboxing, I could still hang with the best of them."

Perhaps Muay Thai's grueling nature—with its emphasis on devastating elbows, clinch warfare, and the toll it takes on the body—becomes increasingly difficult to manage as fighters age.

Meanwhile, kickboxing's rule set allows veterans like the Team CSK warrior to rely more on technique, ring IQ, and experience without absorbing the same level of punishment.

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Denis Puric eyes upset victory over Takeru Segawa in Tokyo

While Denis Puric acknowledges the generational gap in Muay Thai, he's not backing down from the challenge Takeru presents in their flyweight kickboxing war.

The Japanese kickboxer may have suffered a shocking 80-second knockout loss to Rodtang Jitmuangnon at ONE 172 in Saitama this past March, but his decorated K-1 background and world-class striking make him a dangerous opponent for anyone.

For 'The Bosnian Menace,' pulling off an upset victory over someone of Takeru's caliber on Japanese soil would validate his belief that he still belongs among the elite kickboxers in the division.

He has struggled for form recently, but an emphatic performance over the Team Vasileus star, teammates with ONE interim featherweight kickboxing world champion Masaaki Noiri and Yuki Yoza, would earn him some form of redemption.

Denis Puric vs. Takeru is one of many exciting matchups lined up for ONE 173: Superbon vs. Noiri inside the Ariake Arena on Sunday, November 16.

Fight fans eager to catch all the action live and in person from the Japanese capital city can click here to purchase their seats. Those tuning in from around the world can visit watch.onefc.com for how-to-watch details.

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Edited by Himakshu Vyas