Zou Shiming will make the first defense of his WBO flyweight title on July 28 in Shanghai, facing Japan’s Sho Kimura in Shiming’s first outing since last November.

Shiming (9-1, 2 KO) won the vacant WBO title with a 12-round decision victory over Prasitsak Phaprom, aka Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym, on November 5, on the Pacquiao-Vargas undercard in Las Vegas. It was Zou’s second title opportunity, following a loss in 2015 to Amnat Ruenroeng, who held the IBF title at the time.

Kimura (14-1-2, 7 KO) is a 28-year-old fighting out of Tokyo, who has yet to face real competition, though he did win the WBO Asia Pacific title last November with a majority decision victory over Masahiro Sakamoto. His loss came in his pro debut back in 2013, and he had back-to-back draws in 2014-15 in four and six round fights at the famed Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

A big crowd will be expected for the fight, surely, as Shiming remains a sporting hero in China, despite some shortcomings as a professional that will keep him from ever being a true global star.