Jonathan Haggerty says Yuki Yoza is underestimating him ahead of his bantamweight kickboxing title defence at ONE Samurai 1, after the Japanese challenger vowed to knock him out in Tokyo.
The pair came face to face for the first time at Monday’s press conference in the Japanese capital, with Haggerty in a sharp suit and Yoza more casual in a black leather jacket and matching trousers ahead of what could be one of the most technical fights on the April 29 card at Ariake Arena.
“For this fight, we have left no stone unturned,” Haggerty said. “We are confident we will get the victory. We are excited to put on a showcase here, to put on the performance of a lifetime.
“I believe Yuki is underestimating me. I’m going to show why I’m the best in the world, and defend this world title.”
Haggerty has not competed since February 2025, when he made the first successful defence of his kickboxing belt with a unanimous decision win over China’s Wei Rui in Qatar.
A bid to reclaim the bantamweight Muay Thai title from Nabil Anane later that year fell through when Haggerty suffered a shoulder injury during training camp on Koh Samui.
Jonathan Haggerty speaks to the media at the ONE Samurai 1 press conference in Tokyo
ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong had suggested the injury could sideline him for up to a year if surgery was required, but Haggerty appears to have opted for rehabilitation instead and now looks fully fit again.
The 29-year-old had so far remained in London for his fight camp, but made the roughly 6,000-mile trip to Tokyo for Monday’s press conference. A return to Thailand for the final weeks of his preparation could still be on the cards.
“Training has been going well. I’ve trained as hard as I possibly can. I’ve got a great team around me,” he said. “Every opponent I come up against is the best. I’ve fought all the best.
“Yuki Yoza brings a different style. He’s confident, he’s got power. He’s got it all. That’s why we’ve trained so hard.”
Yoza has built strong momentum since joining ONE last year, winning all three of his bouts by unanimous decision.
The former K-1 champion beat previously unbeaten Elbrus Osmanov on debut, then outpointed former bantamweight kickboxing champion Petchtanong, before securing the biggest win of his ONE run by beating Superlek at ONE 173 in Tokyo last November.
Yuki Yoza is looking for his first knockout victory in ONE Championship against Jonathan Haggerty
Now the 27-year-old Japanese star will challenge for world title gold on home soil – and believes he can take it emphatically.
“I’m finally here, going into a title match, and it’s here in Japan at ONE Samurai 1,” Yoza said. “I’m going to go in there and come out victorious with the belt.
“He has more experience in his career in five-round title bouts and he knows how to gain points under the ONE ruleset. He’s very good all round, but I’m prepared to win in every situation. I believe I am better than him and that I’m going to win the match with a knockout.”
Yoza added that the title shot was only the beginning.
“I have been wanting this title match for the longest time. But this is by no means the end, it’s only the start,” he said. “Come April 29 I am going to win this title and start my new chapter.”
