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 9th 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 9th 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 9th 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 8th round stoppage of Carlos Cardenas more than two years ago to move into title contention.

 Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox