Former IBF junior flyweight titleholder Felix Alvarado will bid to become a two-weight when facing Masamichi Yabuki for the IBF flyweight title.

The mouthwatering shootout will take place at the Aichi Sky Expo in Aichi, Japan, on Saturday.

"I'm very excited because I'll be competing for the world title again," Alvarado (42-4, 35 KOs)) told The Ring through promoter William Ramirez. "We can't wait for December 27th."

The experienced Nicaraguan, The Ring's No. 8-rated flyweight contender, trained in Managua under the watchful eye of Sergio Gonzalez and will take to the road to do so.

"Yes, I have no problem with that," said Alvarado, who arrived in Japan a week before their fight. "I've already fought in Japan and other countries away from home, so I'm used to it."

An intriguing aspect of the fight is that both men are noted punchers in the lower weight classes. Yabuki boasts a 94% knockout ratio, while the challenger is slightly lower but holds a very respectable 83% from more than double the champion's total pro fights (46 to 22).

"My mindset is to win before the 12 rounds," he continued. "I'm training hard, feel ready, and I'm prepared for both possibilities. My expectation is to be crowned world champion again, God willing."

Yabuki (18-4, 17 KOs), The Ring's No. 4-rated player at flyweight, lost an early four-round decision to future three-weight titleholder Junto Nakatani, as well as future WBA flyweight champion Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO1) and an eight-round split defeat by Cuba's Daniel Matellon.

The power-puncher upset Teraji with a 10th-round TKO in September 2021, though was decisively dispatched three rounds into their immediate rematch.

The 33-year-old scored an impressive seventh-round stoppage win over Thanongsak Simsri and returned after rupturing his Achilles tendon to claim the IBF 108-pound title by stopping Sivenathi Nontshinga in nine rounds. He headed to flyweight, beating up Angel Ayala to claim the IBF crown with a 12th-round stoppage on March 29..