Report, photos by Joe Koizumi

IBF 105-poud champion Jose Argumedo (20-3-1, 12 KOs), from Mexico, arrived in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday to defend his belt against unbeaten Japanese prospect Hiroto Kyoguchi (7-0, 6 KOs) on July 23. Argumedo previously dethroned veteran titlist Katsunari Takayama via technical decision here in 2015, and successfully kept it three times since.

The Mexican champ, 28, accompanied by his trainer Lorenzo Mu Bermudez under Canelo Promotions, said at the airport, saying “I’m in good shape and will keep my belt and bring it back to Mexico. I know Kyoguchi is a young upcoming boxer, but I am more experienced and will utilize my experience to defeat him.”

Kyoguchi, 23, formerly an amateur boxer, acquired the vacant OPBF minimumweight title in his sixth bout, beating Armando de la Cruz by a third-round knockout last February and kept it once by lopsidedly outscoring Jonathan Refugio this April. Kyoguchi’s real power will be tested by the busy-punching champ Argumedo.