Both World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Elwin Soto of Mexico and Japanese challenger Katsunari Takayama of Neyagawa Ishida Boxing Club cleared weigh-ins in Arlington, the U.S. state of Texas, on May 7 for the title match to be held on May 8 (May 9 Japan time) at AT&T Stadium.

The 24-year-old Soto tipped the scales at 107.8 pounds (48.89 kilograms) while the 37-year-old Takayama weighed in at 107.6 lbs (48.80 kgs), both within the 108 lbs (48.97 kgs) weight limit.

Soto is making his third defense of the title he won from Angel Acosta of Puerto Rico in June 2019.
The upcoming fight will be the 11th-ranked Takayama’s 17th world title match but his first in four years and nine months as he had unsuccessfully aimed at being qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by becoming an amateur boxer. He then returned to the professional world last year.

Takayama, who had held world minimumweight titles of the sport’s all four major governing bodies at different times, said through his agent, ‘’I am relieved for now since I was able to clear the weigh-in. I will do my best in tomorrow’s fight and am determined to win the championship belt.’’

Soto has an 18-1 win-loss tally with 12 KOs, while Takayama has a record of 32 wins, including 12 knockouts, against eight losses and one no contest.

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. Some 70,000 spectators are expected at AT&T Stadium. 　 Photo by Ed Mulholland / Matchroom