Death Match is the English-language feature-length screen debut of former welterweight K-1 kickboxer Kozo Takeda who has already done some television work within the past few years. This time, Takeda takes the stage as a former mercenary who partakes in street fights to help a woman pay off her unclaimed debt to a gangster, following a six-year prison sentence for rescuing her from her abusive husband by killing him.
The film had its premiere in the Peace category of the 5th annual Okinawa International Film Festival last year and is finally making its way to a domestic theatrical release on June 21.
Synopsis: A Japanese fighter, newly released from prison returns to the Philippines for the woman and son he left behind. Looking for redemption, he engages in a series of underground street fighting matches to earn money for the family. When his skills bring him more and more notice from the wrong side of the law, will he be able to protect his family?
Check out the trailer below.
source: filmcombatsyndicate
Kozo Takeda was born in Adachi, Tokyo, Japan on December 27, 1972. He played rugby when he was in high school, and entered Kokushikan University by recommendation, but dropped out as soon as he watched bouts of Branko Cikatić fight K-1 on television. He started practicing kickboxing at the Jiseikan Gym in Saitama. He joined Seido-Kaikan and increased his weight to 90 kg to enter K-1 as a heavyweight kickboxer, but he rejoined Jiseikan and debuted as a welterweight kickboxer of Shin Nihon Kickboxing Association (SNKA) on March 19, 1995. He won Rajadamnern Stadium champion at welterweight in Muay Thai on January 21, 2001. He has made both the Welterweight and Super Welterweight Rajadamnern Stadium rankings. He is currently a chief adviser of International Sohgoh Budo Federation (ISBF) and he was certified as black belt of the 5th dan in karate by ISBF.