Takashi Miura, the WBC super featherweight champion, will make his first title defense on Aug. 17 in Cancun, Mexico, his gym announced Friday.

Miura's opponent will be top-ranked contender Sergio Thompson of Mexico.

"I'm really looking forward to this. This is a fight that can help me develop," the 29-year-old Miura told a news conference in Tokyo.

"He is a guy who will come out swinging, but my trademark is my punching and I think I'm going to land plenty."