The World Boxing Organization’s second-ranked super flyweight Christian Bacasegua of Mexico brimmed with confidence as he held a public workout at Tokyo’s Teiken Boxing Gym on Feb. 15 before his clash with top-ranked Kosei Tanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym for the vacant title on Feb. 24 in Tokyo.

  The 26-year-old Bacasegua, who arrived in Japan on the preceding day, displayed shadowboxing, mitt and punching bag hitting by moving swiftly. He said he does not mind the time difference at all, adding he is in a top-top condition.

  The fight will be part of the event called ‘’Prime Video Presents Live Boxing 7’’ at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena, in which two more world title fights and an eight-round bantamweight bout will also be held.

  His trainer Alberto Vega said, ‘’He is an aggressive type as he comes out strong. Though he had had trouble with his defense before, he has now remedied that. Best of all, he is strong-hearted. According to Vega, Bacasegua has never hit the canvas during his amateur and professional career.

  Asked about the comment made earlier by former world champion Kiyoshi Hatanaka, the head of the gym to which Tanaka belongs, to the effect that Tanaka will fight like a matador as he will put an end to the onrushing fighter after fending off the offense, Bacasegua brushed it aside by saying, ‘’ I will scoop him up in the air just like a bull with strong horns.’’   

Bacasegua has a record of 22 wins, including nine KOs, against four losses and two draws. For his part, the 28-year-old Tanaka, who had captured the WBO minimumweight, light flyweight and flyweight crowns, has a 19-1 win-loss tally with 11 KOs.