Shun Kubo will face Venezuelan champion Nehomar Cermeno for the WBA super bantamweight world title, his Shinsei Gym announced on Friday.
The 26-year-old Kubo, ranked ninth, will be taking his first shot at a world title at Osaka's Edion Arena on April 9.
"I have to go into the bout with the same mental approach as always and just try and win," Kubo told a news conference in Kobe.
Kubo, who retained his Oriental-Pacific title in November, is unbeaten in 11 bouts. The 37-year-old Cermeno has a record of 26-5-1 (15 KOs).
Hopes are being pinned on Kubo following in the footsteps of stablemate Hozumi Hasegawa, a former world champion in three different weight divisions who retired in December.
Hoping to respond to expectations with a win, Kubo said, "I have been given all kinds of advice."
