Former world minimumweight champion Katsunari Takayama of Neyagawa Ishida Boxing Club, who 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, the U.S. state of Texas, told the press on May 6 he will make the most of his ample experience (to wrest the title for his second weight class).

The 37-year-old Takayama said, ‘’I am really glad for giving me this opportunity. True Mr. Soto is a young courageous fighter. But I am looking forward to fighting him based on my experience. I am all set for the fight.’’

For his part, the 24-year-old Soto, making his third defense of the title he won from Angel Acosta of Puerto Rico in June 2019, said he wants title unification matches with champions of the other major governing bodies after beating Takayama.

According the current betting odds of bookmakers, the odds of Takayama winning the fight are 1:7-9, which shows Soto is overwhelming favorite.

This is because Takayama had only one fight as a light flyweight, his first professional bout in about four years last year, as he failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2019. He then returned to the professional world and earned a six-round decision over then world-ranked light flyweight Reiya Konishi of SUN-RISE Boxing Gym last December.

Takayama, ranked 11th in the division by the WBO, accepted the offer to challenge Soto only three weeks ago. He has a record of 32 wins, including 12 knockouts, against eight losses and one no contest. Soto has an 18-1 win-loss tally with 12 KOs.

The Soto-Takayama bout will serve as the chief supporting card for the highly touted world super middleweight title unification bout between World Boxing Association ‘’super’’ and World Boxing Council champion in the division Saul ‘’Canelo’’ Alvarez of Mexico and WBO super middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders of Britain. Photo by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom