Fighters don’t just throw punches in the cage. In fact, outside the ring, some are taking on a bigger fight. Manny Pacquiao built homes, Conor McGregor flexed his fortune, and Canelo Álvarez gave back in his own way. But right now? No one is blurring the line between knockout artist and humanitarian louder than Takeru Segawa.

The Japanese kickboxing superstar, known as the “Natural Born Crusher,” already holds three K-1 titles and more knockouts than most fighters can dream of. But ask him what matters most, and he won’t talk belts. He’ll tell you about schools, kids, and giving opportunity to those who’ve never had it.

Japanese kickboxer Takeru Segawa turns childhood dream into a life-changing mission

Fighting isn’t just about the cage. For three-division K-1 champion Takeru Segawa, it’s about making a real impact outside the ring. The 33-year-old Japanese superstar has used his fame to support causes close to his heart, staying true to a dream he’s carried since childhood. “I wanted to become a childcare worker and even went to school for that. But as I became more successful, I realized that there are kids who don’t even have the opportunity to dream. That’s why I started fighting overseas to become a fighter who can make an impact. And I want to give back to the kids.”

Already, Takeru Segawa has turned those words into action. He recently opened a school for disadvantaged children in Vietnam, funded entirely with money from his fights. Moreover, he’s not stopping there. He’s now setting his sights on Myanmar and Laos, regions where poverty still affects millions. According to the ONE Championship website, only 45 percent of schools exist in rural areas, and in the top 20 percent of these regions, children have little to no access to education.

In fact, Save the Children reports that 3.7 million children in Laos face hardship, while Myanmar has roughly 15.9 million children under 18, according to UNICEF. “Right now, we have two schools under construction in Myanmar. After that’s done, I’m thinking of building some in Laos,” declared Takeru Segawa. Through these efforts, the Kickboxer has shown that his fight isn’t just inside the ring. His dedication to giving back has earned him the 2025 Victoria Lee Award, cementing his status not only as a champion fighter but also as a true champion of social change.

Inside Takeru Segawa’s growing charitable work

Takeru Segawa isn’t just a champion in the ring—he inspires people he has never even met. Known as ‘The Natural Born Crusher,’ Takeru dominates his opponents in the cage, but outside, he gives generously. Over the past few years, the Japanese kickboxer has quietly emerged as a force for good, using his platform to support communities hit by disasters and hardship. In 2024, catastrophic floods swept through Laos, displacing thousands—and Takeru stepped up.

To help those affected, he donated clean water filters, repaired school bathrooms, and spent time teaching children kickboxing, bringing hope and joy amid the devastation. But he didn’t stop there. After facing Myanmar’s Thant Zin at ONE Friday Fights 81, Takeru Segawa donated a portion of his fight purse to flood victims, coordinating with local teams to ensure the funds reached those who needed them most. Thant Zin’s team praised him, highlighting the genuine care and respect he showed for people rebuilding their lives.

Back home in Japan, Takeru Segawa keeps investing in the next generation. In July and October 2024, he visited multiple childcare centers, answering questions, sharing life lessons. And now, the focus shifts back to the cage. Takeru Segawa is set to return on November 16 at ONE 173 in Tokyo to face Denis Puric. How do you see this showdown going? Drop your predictions below!