Seven months later, he's back and ready to stake his claim in a busy 130-pound division once more.

Tsutsumi, The Ring's No. 10 junior lightweight, had been lined up to face then-WBA ruler Jazza Dickens as part of the star-studded The Ring V: Night of the Samurai show on December 27 before injury struck.

"I underwent surgery to repair the fracture one week after the injury," Tsutsumi (8-0, 5 KOs) told The Ring.

"After that, I rested for a while and resumed training about a month later. I have now fully recovered, and my vision is the same as it was before the injury."

Although Tsutsumi was understandably frustrated in missing out on his big opportunity, he has made peace with the situation.

"It would have been my first world title fight, and so many people were looking forward to it," he said. "After the injury, I was so disappointed that I couldn't think about anything else for quite some time."

The talented Japanese fighter will enter the ring for the first time when he takes on fellow unbeaten Felix Batista on Tuesday in an intriguing 10-round WBA title eliminator at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.

"He is a very athletic and well-balanced fighter," he said of his opponent. "He also has great instincts, making him a dangerous opponent who can finish a fight if you lose concentration even for a moment."

The 27-year-old hopes to shed any ring rust he has and zero in on a title opportunity.

"My goal is to become a world champion before the end of the year, welcome the New Year as a world champion,” he said. “That is my personal goal as well as our team’s goal.

"If I could choose an opponent, I would like to fight Anthony Cacace. However, if a world title opportunity arises, I am willing to fight any champion."

Tsutsumi recognizes the division's depth as well as a solid top-10 has a wide array of contenders jostling for position on the periphery.

"There are many high-level [fighters] at junior lightweight," he said. "However, I don’t think there is one standout fighter above everyone else, which may be why the titles change hands frequently.

"That creates opportunities, and I will work hard to become the undisputed champion."

His promoter Yusuke Ninomiya is proud of how Tsustumi has got on with things considering the severity of the injury and is ready to once again lay his claim in the division.

"The setback has only motivated him to aim even higher," said Ninomiya. "I believe he now has the ability to defeat any junior lightweight champion.

"Our plan is for him to fight for a world title this year and become world champion. Once he proves he is the best fighter in the division, we want to move up to lightweight and challenge even greater fighters there."

Batista (14-0, 10 KOs) has fought all bar one of his opponents at home in the Dominican Republic since his April 2021 debut. The 29-year-old hasn't fought anyone of note, and this is a marked step up in opposition.