I’ve came across this HL clip of Kozo, I think he’s a fighter a lot of people tend to overlook. There is so much focus on the poster boy of K-1 Masato. I think he peaked early. If you remember that clip I posted of Kohi and Masato that was in ‘97. While those guys were just really starting off, Kozo was just a few years away from winning a Rajadomnern Title.
This is might be old news to some, but I did some digging and was quite surprised by Kozo’s fight history. If you look down the list, Kozo has defeated some pretty high calibre fighters. (Kaoklai, BigBen etc,)
Like most Nak Muay’s it looks like his career is winding down. At 35 years’ old he’s considered an elder statesmen of our sport and is worthy of our respect.
In 2001 he became one of a handful of foreign fighters to have ever won a stadium belt (Rajadomnern). The haters will point, to the fact that it was in a weight class that Thai’s aren’t traditionally strong… whatever go win yourself a bit then you can talk.
I came across the HL a couple of weeks ago. If you haven’t seen Kozo fight, he’s known for his crippling leg kicks. I’m sure he’ll continue to have a few fights here and there, but I think the best is behind him. It looks like he’s training some really talented young fighters. I think one of his fighter just beat, the new K-1 golden boy Hiroya.
Anyway best of luck to Takeda, and many props.
13 responses so far ↓
1 greghow // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:02 am
Not really the main topic, but I don’t get all this Hiroya fuss…
Btw, that first pic is golden. His stare says it all. “Stay down, bitch!”
2 yknocka // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:23 am
this HL made me walk with a limp.
3 nimrod69 // Sep 5, 2008 at 9:06 am
What was the result btween him and BUakaw and JOhn Wayne PAr?
4 nopstar // Sep 5, 2008 at 10:09 am
He’s 0-2 with JWP
and 0-1 with Buakaw
5 SE // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:45 pm
him and genki sudo are pretty much the only japanese fighters i like. of course genki is ten million times more awesome.
6 SE // Sep 5, 2008 at 5:46 pm
also, the dude kozo fought for the Rajadomnern title
REALLY sucked.
7 Gusnark aka Sandjora // Sep 5, 2008 at 7:08 pm
JWP told that Kozo has the meanest low kick he faced. In the last their fight, JWPs legs were all bruised.
Also Kozo did much trouble to Buakaw, who was then at his peak, they fought 5 rounds (2 extra).
I think he can’t really handle good boxers. Souwer, JWP KOed him and he barely survived Zambidis. Still Kozo is very good fighter with a great heart.
8 SE // Sep 5, 2008 at 10:16 pm
jwp used the exact same strat on yod. didnt work on yod though.
9 C // Sep 5, 2008 at 10:41 pm
In the last scene, the two Chinese characters on the white letter cover translate to “will/testament”…..gives me creeps
10 burnt1tofu // Sep 6, 2008 at 4:12 am
Man there be a lot of haters here.
11 EC // Sep 6, 2008 at 7:34 am
1. Awesome highlight vid.
2. I’ve never seen anyone chop people down like this guy. His timing on the leg kicks is unreal.
12 ShadyEskimo // Sep 6, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Kozo looks like he was a Seriously Bad ass Nak Muay, Didnt see anyting other than the Fights vs Various K1 Stars like Souwer, Buakaw and Zambo Before this Highlight and Im Impressed.
13 Stack // Sep 14, 2008 at 1:32 pm
He’s damn good but figure this he won in a less deep weight class and contrary to popular belief that title changed hands in Japan not Thailand.
He’s on the downside of his career for sure.
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