Riku Masuda and Daigo Higa will meet in a major bantamweight clash on July 20 at Kokugikan in Tokyo, topping a three-fight card built around Japan vs. Mexico matchups and world title action.
Masuda (10-1, 9 KOs) has moved quickly since turning professional in 2022. His only defeat came by decision to future WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi, but he rebounded strongly and scored a breakthrough stoppage win over four-weight champion Nonito Donaire in March.
Watch Masuda vs. Sultan highlights: Watch
Higa (21-3-3, 19 KOs) enters after consecutive championship-level draws against Tsutsumi and Antonio Vargas. The former champion had considered retirement, but the chance for another marquee bantamweight fight has pulled him back in.
The card also features Shokichi Iwata (16-2, 13 KOs) defending his WBC junior flyweight title for the first time against unbeaten mandatory challenger Erik Badillo (19-0, 8 KOs). Iwata became a two-time titleholder in March by stopping Thammanoon Niyomtrong in the sixth round.
Kenshiro Teraji (25-2, 16 KOs) will also return, facing Israel Gonzalez (32-5-2, 12 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior bantamweight title. The belt became available after Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez moved away from the division.
Watch Teraji vs. Sandoval highlights: Watch
Teraji brings a decorated résumé from junior flyweight and flyweight, including wins over Hiroto Kyoguchi, Hekkie Budler, Carlos Canizales and Seigo Yuri Akui. Gonzalez, a four-time world title challenger, comes in on a four-fight winning streak and gets another chance to finally break through at championship level.
The show will stream on U-NEXT in Japan, while international broadcast details have not yet been confirmed.
