Masamichi Yabuki will make the first defence of his IBF flyweight world title as planned, three weeks after a lowly purse bid was announced.

Yabuki (18-4, 17 KOs) comfortably led across all three scorecards en route to a 10th-round stoppage win over unbeaten Angel Ayala Lardizabal on March 29 and has seen the divisional landscape shift again after former unified beltholder Kenshiro Teraji's surprise points defeat by Ricardo Sandoval in July.

Having himself officially moved up from 108 pounds, where he vacated the title in April, he now faces longtime contender Felix Alvarado (42-4, 35 KOs) Nov. 22 in Hermosillo, Mexico.

BoxingScene were first to report news of the booking, Yabuki's maiden foray outside Asia after Manny Pacquiao's MP Promotions were the lone bidder with $30,000 and a 65-35 split in the champion's favour, $19,500 before taxes and expenses.

Given such a low figure, especially one for a world title fight, many felt it inevitable that Yabuki would relinquish the belt and explore other options, mirroring Teraji by moving up in weight.

Suggestions of a promotional rift have merely intensified in recent weeks, though Yabuki has now agreed terms and will honour Alvarado's step-aside deal after the Nicaraguan allowed Yabuki-Ayala.

That contest saw him become a two-division world champion emphatically with three knockdowns before the stoppage and weeks later, he relinquished his 108-pound title rather than go down in weight with mandatory Christian Araneta waiting.

After being medically cleared to train again following minor injuries - including a badly cut cheek requiring eight stitches - The Ring's No. 4-rated flyweight bided his time carefully.

There initially existed concern that Yabuki would instead vacate his title rather than travel across the world for a $19,500 payday.

Alvarado, who won and made two championship defences as IBF junior flyweight beltholder, fell short during his own quest to become a two-division champion with a competitive points loss against Britain's Sunny Edwards in November 2022.

Two fights and 11 months later, Alvarado controversially fell short via 12-round unanimous decision to Ayala in the 25-year-old's home country.

Since losing that title eliminator, he has won three straight including unseating then-unbeaten contender Tobias Reyes with a majority decision victory in his native Nicaragua for the right to rematch Ayala.

As it has played out, he now faces a hard-hitting champion and one of two to solve the Teraji puzzle.