Kotetsu Boku Excited To Test Thanh Le’s Chin In Battle Of KO Artists

At ONE: DREAMS OF GOLD, Kotetsu “No Face” Boku will face a fellow striking specialist in a featherweight bout that should bring fans to their feet.

Next Friday, 16 August the former ONE Lightweight World Champion will meet Thanh Le in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Japanese veteran believes their clash of styles will make for an all-action stand-up mixed martial arts contest.

The Vietnamese-American will bring a tricky style into the Circle, but the 42-year-old believes his veteran experience and diligent preparation will give him the tools to take him out.

“It’s going to be a striking match. I can’t [predict] anything in particular, but I want to show my overall strength,” he says.

“[Le] has that kick-heavy taekwondo style. From that base, he throws middle kicks from his range, and follows up with punches. 

“He closes the gap and looks for counter punches, and also switches stance. I don’t have any training partners with a similar style to his, but I’ve been training with both orthodox and southpaws, and I feel like it’s gone well.”

The man from Tokyo also has the near-superhuman ability to survive the hardest shots during an exchange of blows, which will be vital against a fellow knockout artist of Le’s caliber.

Boku also has the endurance to keep up with, and wear down, the Legacy Fighting Alliance Featherweight Champion – and that is something that has been a constant throughout his career.

“I don’t change the basics, but keep my physical conditioning at its best,” says the 42-year-old.

“I’m aiming to put pressure on him when he kicks from his range, close the distance, and look for counter strikes.

“I have plenty of experience, but he’s in good condition right now, so it all boils down to who is stronger on the day. I have more experience in ONE, but that doesn’t really play a part. 

“Everyone has their ups and downs when it’s time to compete, but those who have stamina are able to keep putting pressure on until the end. [Le] is not known for his stamina, so I want to go in with that in mind. I always train for endurance, so it gives me confidence going into a bout.”

Boku’s style is well-known to ONE fans around the world, and he aims to give them the type of thrilling performance they love to see from him.

Although Le is nine years the junior of the Krazy Bee representative, and is coming off a highlight-reel KO win, “No Face” believes he has the power and the heart to get the 15th stoppage win of his career.

“I want to finish by punch or kick, but depending on timing I’ll go with grappling. Either way, I want to finish it,” he adds.

“I think his weak point could be his ability to absorb strikes. I’ve only seen one of his losses, but he got completely smashed. If I catch him, he’s only human, so he will go down

“I feel good this time… I want to show the other athletes in the division my basic animal instincts, and make them think, ‘I don’t want to face him!’”