Former world minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama of Neyagawa Ishida Boxing Club will challenge World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Elwin Soto of Mexico for the latter’s title on May 8 (May 9 Japan time) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, United States, it was formally announced on Apr. 29 via his agent.

The 37-year-old Takayama, ranked 11th in the division by the WBO, issued a statement saying, ‘’I will do my best to win the title for my second weight division. By winning the title, I hope to join the ranks of the light flyweight battle line. Though I only have a short period of time (for the fight), I will do the best I can.’’

If Takayama wins, Japan will have the titles of three of the four major world governing bodies in the 105-pound (47.62 kg) division: Hiroto Kyoguchi of Watanabe Boxing Gym is the World Boxing Association light flyweight ‘’super’’ champion; and World Boxing Council light flyweight title is held by Kenshiro Teraji of BMB Boxing Gym.

The Soto-Takayama bout will serve as the chief supporting card for the highly touted world super middleweight title unification bout between Saul ‘’Canelo’’ Alvarez of Mexico and Billy Joe Saunders of Britain, which is expected to gather a considerable momentum at the popular level.

Takayama said, ‘’I am looking forward with great anticipation to fighting before some 60,000 spectators.’’ His trainer Hiroaki Nakade echoed his comment by saying, ‘’I don’t think Takayama will have any problem if he is well prepared. He has a lot of experience on all fronts, and we have already analyzed him.’’

The team Takayama will leave for the U.S. on May 3.

Takayama, who had held world minimumweight titles of the sport’s all four major governing bodies at different times, returned to the professional world from amateur boxing after failing to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics by earning a decision over then world-ranked light flyweight Reiya Konishi of SUN-RISE Boxing Gym last December. Takayama has a record of 32 wins, including 12 knockouts, against eight losses.

The 24-year-old Soto, making his third defense of the title he won from Angel Acosta of Puerto Rico in June 2019, has an 18-1 win-loss tally with 12 KOs.