Japanese featherweight Zaiki Takemoto is trudging up mountains and carving through surf in a punishing quest for a world title.

The 28-year-old has started a brutal training regime before challenging for Indonesian Chris John's WBA crown in Kobe on August 19. "I'm using the mountains, sea and fields," Takemoto was quoted as saying by Japanese media. "I'm racing around all of Kobe's geography."

The 27-year-old John, who is also a member of Indonesia's national team in the Chinese martial art of wushu, has won 39 of his 40 professional fights - 20 by KO - with one draw.

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