Both World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Wilfredo Mendez of Puerto Rico and top-ranked challenger Masataka Taniguchi of Watanabe Boxing Gym cleared weigh-ins on Dec. 13 for their championship fight in Tokyo on Dec. 14.

The scheduled 12-rounder at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena will serve as the chief supporting card of the day’s World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation bantamweight title match between champion Naoya Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym and Aran Dipaen of Thailand.

The 25-year-old Mendez, who is making his third defense of the title he captured from Victorio Saludar of the Philippines in August 2019, tipped the scales at 47.5 kgs. He said, ‘’I want to fight aggressively tomorrow. I will not change my style no matter what.’’ He said he did not analyze too much about Taniguchi.

For his part, the 27-year-old Taniguch, who is making his second crack at a world title since dropping a lopsided decision to Saludar in February 2019, weighed in at 47.6 kgs and said, ‘’When I challenged the world title last time, I could not fight like a challenger. But this time, I will fight like a challenger should do. Mendez is skillful at picking up points with his counter punches.’’

Mendez has a record of 16 wins, including six knockouts, against a loss, while Taniguchi has a 14-3 win-loss record with nine KOs. Both are southpaws.