Masuda, The Ring's No. 6 bantamweight and his compatriot, who sits one place higher at No. 5, will headline a U-Next show at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo.

"I'm excited about this fight because it's against an opponent I've long wanted to face in the ring," Masuda (10-1, 9 KOs) told The Ring.

"I think it will be a thrilling bout that keeps everyone glued to the action right from the opening round."

While Masuda is fully aware about the type of fight awaiting him, there's also an appreciation for a need to fight his own fight.

"My focus will be on avoiding getting hit by punches and making sure I don't get drawn into a slugfest on my opponent's terms," he said.

The 28-year-old enters the contest buoyed by a career-best eighth-round stoppage over the legendary Nonito Donaire on March 15.

"Beating Donaire has given me a huge boost in confidence," he said. "The promise I made to him after that fight to keep winning also serves as a source of strength for me."

The WBA title situation is far from simple. Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez holds the 'Super' title after his sixth-round stoppage win over Antonio Vargas last month, while an injured Seiya Tsutsumi was given the 'champion in recess' distinction. Nonetheless, this opportunity still represents a watershed moment in Masuda's career.

"I see this as a major milestone," he said. "I envision a bright future for myself and for everyone involved with me.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the view looks like once I win the fight and become world champion."

Higa (21-3-3, 19 KOs) burst onto the scene and aged 21, landed a fight with Juan Hernandez for the WBC flyweight title, bludgeoning him into a sixth-round finish. Two championship defenses later, he missed weight before an upset TKO9 loss by Cristofer Rosales.

After a 22-month absence, he returned at bantamweight. In his second bout back, he held Seiya Tsutsumi to a 10-round draw before being outpointed over 12 rounds by future IBF champion Ryosuke Nishida six months later.

He righted the ship before narrowly losing to Yoshiki Takei over the distance in a WBO title challenge, then had to settle for consecutive 12-round draws during a Tsutsumi rematch and with Vargas in WBA title fights last year.