In his most recent outing, Tsuboi, The Ring's No. 4-rated junior bantamweight, picked apart former WBC 115-pound titlist Carlos Cuadras (TKO 8) and will look to build off that when he fights another former world champion, Pedro Guevara at Kokugikan, Tokyo, on Saturday.

"Guevara is a fantastic fighter with a long professional career and strong tactical ability," Tsuboi (3-0, 2 KOs) told The Ring. "I'm excited for the challenge of controlling all 10 rounds against a fighter like him.

"I'm sure he'll come in with a well-crafted strategy specifically for me. My plan is to surpass everything he brings and showcase overwhelming Tomoya Tsuboi boxing.'"

The 30-year-old prides himself on learning, improving his ring craft and being better in every fight and while he was punch perfect against Cuadras last November, he is his own biggest critique.

"Cuadras has had an incredible career, so being able to shut him out was satisfying in terms of performance," he said. "But there were still plenty of things to fix, so it was a valuable learning experience."

Tsuboi, who trains at the Teiken Gym, in Tokyo, under the watchful eye of Sendai Tanaka, wanted to move quickly as a professional after an impressive amateur career that was highlighted by claiming gold at the 2021 IBA World Championships.

"With the support of my team, I've been able to build my career the right way, testing myself step-by-step against stronger opponents and longer rounds," he said. "I feel like I'm finally starting to blend the boxing I developed in the amateurs with the techniques required in the professional ranks.

"I've always been good at making adjustments and thinking my way through boxing, so I believe that's why I've been able to build my career with this kind of momentum."

Tsuboi, who is rated No. 1 by both the WBC and WBO and inside the top 10 of all four sanctioning bodies, is closing in on a world title opportunity.

"I feel like I'm right on the doorstep of becoming a world champion," he said. "Honestly, I'd love to face [Ring, WBA, WBC and WBO champion] Jesse [Rodriguez], but that fight won't happen at junior bantamweight. So, for now, I'll focus on sharpening myself and unifying all four belts."

Guevara (43-5-2, 22 KOs) won 18 of his first 19 fights before losing to then IBF 108-pound titleholder John Riel Casimero (SD 12) back in 2012. He worked his way to a second opportunity stopping Akira Yaegashi (TKO 7) for the WBC title in December 2014. After two defenses he lost the belt to Yu Kimura (SD 12) in November 2015.

After losing to then WBC 108-pound ruler Kenshiro Teraji (MD 12), the Mexican jumped to 115 and reeled off 10 wins before narrowly losing to Carlos Cuadras (SD 12). The 36-year-old got back to winning ways and notably edged Andrew Moloney (SD 12) in May 2024. However, he was stopped by Jesse Rodriguez (TKO 3) in an attempt to win The Ring and WBC titles six months later. He has returned with a win and a draw since.