Puerto Rican boxer Angel “Tito” Acosta is aiming to challenge Japan's Junto Nakatani for the flyweight belt (112 pounds) of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

First, Acosta must beat Mexican boxer Gilberto Mendoza (17-9-3, 8 KO) during the second undercard of the “Ring City USA” series on March 18 at the Albergue Olímpico in Salinas.

Also active in the function will be the former junior lightweight champion, Alberto “El Explosivo” Machado, among other local fighters.

For Acosta, Mendoza will mean his first in-ring engagement since he knocked out Raymond Tabugon in October 2019 in Indio, California. In fact, Acosta hasn't fought in Puerto Rico since 2018.

“I am eager to return to the ring and more so to do it here on my island. Although it will be without an audience, people will be supporting me by watching the fight on television. It will be at the Albergue Olímpico where I fought as an amateur, but never as a professional,” shared Acosta (21-2, 21 KO) to Carlos Gonzalez.

"It will be a different environment without an audience because my family will not be able to be there to support me."

Acosta confessed that it was frustrating not having fought in 2020. Meanwhile, he settled in Monterrey, Mexico, along with his partner, also a boxer, Arely Muniño.

"It was difficult because several dates were mentioned for September, October and November and I was preparing myself, but the fights never happened," he said.

Acosta will use the duel against Mendoza to get rid of the rust from the long period of inactivity. Then, he would go straight to challenge Nakatani (21-0, 16 KOs).

“It will be a different year. Situations were difficult in 2020, but now I have this fight against Mendoza. If things turn out well, the next one will be for the world title against Nakatani. It's a must, but obviously I have to win first. Losing against Mendoza, the fight for the title would disappear," Acosta concluded.