Miura-Puerta, Gonzalez-TBA Double Set, 11/22 In Tokyo

By Jake Donovan

The opportunity comes two weeks later than initially

expected, but Edgar Puerta is set for his 130 lb. title challenge as he faces

defending champ Takashi Miura. The bout will take place on November 22 in

Tokyo, pushed

back from its originally targeted date of November 8.

Promociones del Pueblo, Puerta’s promoter, confirmed the

date change and finalization of terms Tuesday morning, insisting that “Edgar is

ready for this title fight, and will come home a world champion.” 

The bout was initially ordered over the summer, as Puerta

is the mandatory challenger to the title Miura has held his last April. A deal

was believed to have been reached in August, but the delay in firming up all

details was due to finding the appropriate venue and accommodating Japan TV

rights, airing live on WOWOW-TV in Japan.

Newly crowned flyweight king Róman Gonzalez is also

slated to appear on the show, making his first defense versus an opponent to be

determined. The unbeaten Nicaraguan won a title in his third weight class with

a 9^th round knockout of lineal flyweight champion Akira Yaegashi on

September 6 in Tokyo.

Miura (27-2-2, 21KOs) will make

the third defense of the title he won last April with a 9^th round

stoppage of Gamaliel Diaz. The majority of his career has taken place in Japan,

although his first defense was a visit to hostile territory, turning back the

challenge of Sergio ‘Yeyo’ Thompson last August in Cancun, Mexico.

The showdown with Puerta will mark Miura’s fourth

straight fight versus an opponent from Mexico. It will also mark an end to what

will amount to an 11-month inactive stretch by fight night. Miura hasn’t fought

since a 9^th round knockout of Dante ‘Crazy’ Jardon last New Year’s

Eve in Tokyo. 

Puerta (23-4-1, 19KOs) heads

overseas for the first time in his career, coming in his first title fight. His

lone fight outside of Mexico came in June ’08 in Venezuela, where he suffered

his first career loss. The setback marked a struggling stretch in his career,

losing four times—including three in a row—over the course of seven fights.

The 32-year old enters this bout

riding a 12-fight win streak, including an 8^th round stoppage of

Carlos Cardenas more than two years ago to move into title contention.

 Jake Donovan is the

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox