Fifteenth-ranked contender Masaki Nakanuma will challenge champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand in a 12-round World Boxing Council flyweight bout in January at Pacifico Yokohama, boxing sources said Friday.
The 28-year-old Nakanuma, nicknamed "Trash," is a former Japanese flyweight champion and known for his effective counter punches and hard rights. He has a record of 23 wins, including 10 via knockout, against four losses and will be making his first attempt at a world title.
A southpaw, the 26-year-old Pongsaklek boasts a 49-2 record with 27 KOs and will make his ninth title defense and third in Japan. The flyweight bout, to be held Jan. 3, will be one of three world title fights to take place in Japan the same day. WBC superflyweight champion Masanori Tokuyama and World Boxing Association superflyweight challenger Eiji Kojima will both do battle in title fights in Osaka.
Tokuyama will take on top-ranked Russian Dimitri Kirilov while Kojima will face WBA champion Venezuelan Alexsander Munoz.