Junior lightweight prospect Hayato Tsutsumi will look to continue his fast-rising career on Sunday when he faces Jaime Arboleda.

The Shisei Promotions event, which will be headlined by Fernando Martinez-Kazuto Ioka 2, will take place at the Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan.

Tsutsumi recognizes his Panamanian opponent's abilities but ultimately feels he will be too strong.

"I think he’s a very well-balanced and tough fighter," Tsutsumi (6-0, 3 knockouts) told The Ring through Yusuke Ninomiya. "His high work rate, persistence, and mental toughness all place him at the level of a world-ranked fighter. There are several areas that require careful consideration.

"That said, since I have my sights set on a world title. I believe I need to win this fight by knockout."

The 25-year-old, whose younger brother Reito recently debuted on The Ring's Fatal Fury: City of The Wolves event in Times Square, was brilliant last time out against battle-hardened Rene Alvarado last December.

While the cagey veteran had lost 14 times entering their fight, he had only been stopped inside the distance once. Tsutsumi became the second forcing an eighth-round stoppage.

"I was very happy," he said of his performance. "Alvarado is a former world champion and a very tough fighter, so it was a fight that tested both my power and mental strength. I was glad to have achieved the best possible outcome."

That fight marked a return after serving a six-month ban, following suspension for missing weight by 3½-pounds against former world champion Anselmo Moreno last April.

"I felt a strong sense of regret toward those who supported me and also toward my opponent," he said holding his hand up to the indiscretion. "I truly wanted to show everyone that I could become a champion at 126 pounds."

However, not having to make 126-pounds doesn't appear to have affected him. If anything, he seems to have blossomed in his new division.

"Not having to undergo such a harsh weight cut has been a huge plus for me," he admitted. "I've been able to retain my speed while adding more power. Right now, I feel that my mind, body, and spirit are all in a great place leading into my next fight."

The proof will be in the pudding, but so far Tsutsumi looks like a real player in the emerging junior lightweight division. He's already beaten two former world champions and is probably only a few fights away from a world title fight, which could come as early as next year.

Arboleda (20-3, 15 KOs) has been a professional since 2014. From a young age, Arboleda was picked out for his talent and after winning his first 10 fights in his native Panama, he came to America but was upset by Recky Dulay (KO 3). After returning home, he reeled off three wins and also grabbed another in Argentina.

It was deemed time for Arboleda to come back to America and he scored two wins, notably beating tough guy Jayson Velez (SD 12). He was stopped by Chris Colbert (TKO 11) and after notching three wins at home, he was run over by William Zepeda (KO 2). After a near two-year hiatus, "Jaimito" returned last month in Colombia with a win.