2024.09.17

On Sunday, September 29th, “Italian KO Machine” Lenny Blasi (Italy/Team Calzolari) will face Shu Inagaki (Japan/K-1 Gym Omiya Team Leon), the 9th Krush Super Lightweight Champion, in the first round of an 8-man, one-day tournament at K-1 WORLD MAX 2024, held at the Yoyogi National Stadium 2nd Gymnasium in Tokyo. What’s at stake? The 7th K-1 WORLD GP Super Lightweight Championship title. Ahead of the fight, Blasi shared his determination to claim the crown.

Blasi, known for his knockout power, has been turning heads. In October 2023, he competed in ONE Friday Fights 38, where he scored a third-round KO against Muay Thai star Nontakit Tor Morsi. As the reigning ISKA Muay Thai European Light Welterweight (-65kg) Champion, Blasi is poised to be a dark horse in this K-1 tournament.

Meanwhile, Inagaki comes in with his own impressive streak. In April, he won the Krush Super Lightweight Tournament, knocking out Hikaru Terashima and Takuma Tsukamoto to take the title. He successfully defended his belt against Ruku Kojima in November, and in April 2024, extended his winning streak to 11 by defeating former K-1 Lightweight Champion Kenta Hayashi in the K-1 vs. Krush 4 vs. 4 match.



—When did you start kickboxing?
”
I started doing kickboxing and Muay Thai when I was 8 years old. I think my first match was when I was about 10.”

—What made you want to take up fighting?
“When I was 7, I started looking for a sport to do. I tried soccer, basketball, but nothing felt right. Then one day, I visited a kickboxing gym, and I just knew—‘This is it.’ But the fees were too high, so I couldn’t start right away. A year later, I found a more affordable gym in my hometown and finally got started.”

—Have you ever watched K-1?

“Yeah, I used to watch K-1 with my dad when I was younger. I especially loved watching Giorgio Petrosyan and Buakaw. Petrosyan is a genius, no question.”

—Was there any fighter you looked up to when you were younger?

”As a kid, I admired a lot of fighters and their styles. But as I grew up, I stopped focusing on any one fighter—because now, I see everyone as a rival. Especially in kickboxing and Muay Thai. That said, I do like Conor McGregor. He motivates me.”

—How much do you know about K-1 now?

”I know a lot about the old K-1, but not so much about the current one. One thing I can say, things haven’t changed–amazing kickboxers still compete here!

—What made you decide to enter this tournament?

“People sometimes think I only compete in Muay Thai, but that’s not true—I’ll fight under any rules! My main motivation is to make a name for myself. If I win this tournament, people will know about me worldwide. I’m still only 20, but I want to prove that I’m already one of the world’s best kickboxers.”

—What are your thoughts on competing on the K-1 stage?

“It’s an honor, for sure. If I didn’t think K-1 was the best promotion in the world, I wouldn’t step into the ring. The fighters here are world-class, and this is a huge opportunity for me to put my name out there.”

—How confident are you in winning a one-day tournament?

”I’ve never had to fight more than once in a day, so I’m sure it’ll be tough. But I’ve trained harder than anyone else, so I’m confident my body can handle it.”

—Do you have any specific strategies for winning?

”My strategy is always to attack aggressively, no matter who I’m facing. I’ll be putting the pressure on Inagaki right from round one, and I plan to finish him with an early KO.”

—Are there any other fighters in the tournament you’re interested in?

”I know Yodkhunpon, but I don’t really know much about the other fighters, or care, really. Sure, some guys have more experience than me, and I’m the youngest in the lineup, but that doesn’t bother me.”

—What did you learn from your experience in ONE Championship?

“Honestly, I feel like a completely different fighter after my time in ONE. I had a six-fight contract and faced some incredible fighters and champions. That experience made me stop thinking about a fighter’s ranking or fame. Now, I’m confident I can fight anyone. I realized I’m among the best in the world. Even though I’m only 20, I’ve gained some great experience.”

—What would you say are your strongest weapons in the ring?

”I think my overall ability is my strength, but if I had to pick something, it’d be my jab and my left hook to the body. I’m confident in the speed and range of my jab, and when I throw that left hook, I aim for a knockout every time.”

—What are your goals as a fighter?

”My goal is to put in the effort and become the best fighter I can be. Every day, I push myself to the max, give it my all, and don’t set limits on myself. I believe I have the strength and potential to become a champion one day. My goal is to become the best.”

—How do you feel about fighting in front of Japanese K-1 fans?

”This is going to be my first time fighting in Japan, so I’m really excited to showcase my skills in front of the fans here. I think they’ll like my fighting style. I’m an aggressive fighter, and that’s usually what people love to watch, right?”

—What’s the key to winning this tournament?

“Mental strength. I’ve gone through the toughest training of my life to prepare for this. I’m different from other fighters. I’m strong, fast, and young, and I don’t see any reason why I’d lose.”

—Finally, what’s your mindset heading into this tournament?

”I’m going to attack, put pressure on my opponents, and win. I’ll win this tournament—that’s a guarantee.”