Former Japanese minimumweight champion Norihito Tanaka of Misako Boxing Gym arrived in Bangkok last night as he will take a crack at World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Panya Pradabsri of Thailand for the latter’s title on Aug. 31 in Nakhon Ratchasima in lower northeastern Thailand, the gym said on Aug. 27.

The 37-year-old Tanaka, currently ranked 14th in the division by the WBC, will be fighting for the firs time in about a year and nine months.

Tanaka lost to undefeated World Boxing Association super world minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong, alias Knockout CP Freshmart, for his first world title challenge in March 2020 in Thailand. Tanaka returned to the ring in November that year with a decision win.

Before his departure to Bangkok on Aug. 26, Tanaka told reporters at Narita airport near Tokyo, ‘’I will fight outside just like I had expected. It is very warm unless it rains because of the rainy season there. But even if it is very warm, it’s all the same to me. He is human, too.’’

Unlike his previous fight in Nakhon Sawan, Tanaka said he prepared thoroughly this time as he brought his necessary cooking ingredients and cooking equipment.

If Tanaka wins, he will become the oldest Japanese to win a world title at the age of 37 years and six months, surpassing the existing record of 35 years and nine months held by former three-time world champion Hozumi Hasegawa of Shinsei Boxing Gym in September 2016.

‘’I will bet my life on the coming fight. I am even prepared to die for the fight. I am concentrating only on decking Panya. That’s it, ‘’Tanaka said determinedly.

While no Japanese boxers have won in world championship fights in Thailand in history, Tanaka brushed it aside by saying, ‘’I am concentrating only on decking Panya.’’

Tanaka has a record of 20 wins, including 10 knockouts, against eight losses. The 31-year-old Panya, dubbed Petchmanee CP Freshmart, has a 38-1 win-loss tally with 23 KOs. He is making his third defense of the title he won by decisioning compatriot Chayaphon Moonsri in November 2020.