WBA lightweight champion Yusuke Kobori and WBC super bantamweight interim champion Toshiaki Nishioka will both defend their titles for the first time in January, it was announced Tuesday.
Kobori, who beat Jose Alfaro in May and successfully claimed the WBA lightweight crown on his first attempt in a world title, will face top-ranked Paulus Moses of Namibia in the Jan. 3 doubleheader at Pacifico Yokohama.
Nishioka, a unanimous decision winner over Napapol Kiatisakchokchai of Thailand to claim the vacant WBC title in September, will take on Genaro Garcia of Mexico.