Naoya Inoue will take his first crack at a world title in April, when he fights WBC light flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez of Mexico, Ohashi Gym said Thursday.
The fight, scheduled for April 6 at Ota City General Gymnasium, will be the sixth of Inoue's pro career. If he is victorious, he will surpass Kazuto Ioka's Japan record of winning a world title in just seven pro bouts.
"I didn't think such opportunities existed," the 20-year-old Inoue said. "I'll rewrite boxing history."
Inoue, who won seven titles as an amateur, made his pro debut in October 2012. His fifth straight pro victory landed him the Oriental and Pacific title. He has won four of his five fights by knockout.
Inoue's bout with Hernandez will be part of a world championship doubleheader that will also see Akira Yaegashi take on Mexico's Odilon Zaleta for the WBC flyweight crown.
"I need to win this fight and then build on that for the next one," said the 30-year-old Yaegashi.