Undefeated World Boxing Association light flyweight ‘’super’’ champion Hiroto Kyoguchi of Watanabe Boxing Gym and a group of six other gym members left for the United States from Narita airport near Tokyo on March 5 for his title defense against Axel Aragon Vega of Mexico in Dallas in the state of Texas on March 13 (14 Japan time), his first fight overseas.

The 27-year-old Kyoguchi, who will make his third defense of the title against the 10th-ranked Mexican at the American Airlines Center by sealing the contract with sporting event promotions company Matchroom Boxing of England last December, told the press via online that his weight is now a little less than 3 kgs (some 6.6 lbs.) over the 108-pound weight limit as he reduced the weight ahead of schedule during training in Japan. ‘’I can eat airline food,’’ he said.

Kyoguchi, who got his visa as late as in the morning, did not appear to mind too much although he said, ‘’My manager seems to have been apprehensive about it though.’’

While Kyoguchi and his group will not be able to move freely due to the novel coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., they are said to use a gymnasium at the hotel and a nearby boxing gym at the advice of Matchroom.

Fukamachi said, ‘’The Dallas Japanese Association is kind enough to prepare for fermented soy beans and earthen pot food there.’’

Further, Japanese minimumweight champion Masataka Taniguchi, who ‘’is the most dependable partner (Kyoguchi)’’ is among the members.

‘’Since it is not so easy for a boxer to be able to fight in the U.S., and very few fought in the U.S. as a world champion. I will appreciate that opportunity and will therefore do my best,’’ according to Kyoguchi.

He said he has received an encouraging message on LINE from ‘’Monster’’ Naoya Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym, who is the same age as Kyoguchi and has twice defended his titles in the U.S., Kyoguchi quoted Inoue as saying, ‘’It is all the same once you get inside the ring.’’

‘’I am determined to show a fight that people who have watched the fight can really appreciate,’’ Kyoguchi added.

Kyoguchi has 14 straight wins, including nine KOs. Vega, 20, has a 14-3-1 win-loss-draw tally with eight knockouts.