Yuko Kuroki and Ye Kyeng Seo will fight for the World Boxing Association minimum weight belt on January 21 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, in what will be the first women’s world title fight of 2025. 

Kuroki is ranked No. 1 in the WBA world rankings at 105 pounds and has owned the black and gold belt in a lower category, 102 pounds, when she defeated Mexican Montserrat Alarcon in a unification bout on August 5, 2023. Then Kuroki lost the title to Eri Matsuda on January 12, 2024 in what was her first defense, in this same stage where she will try to regain the title.  

Kuroki defeated Thailand’s Wisuta Sririttidet by technical knockout in the fourth round on September 29 last year. 

On the other hand, the undefeated South Korean born Ye Kyeng Seo, made her professional debut on November 14, 2020 winning by majority decision against her compatriot Soon Oh Kim and since then she has a total of 7 wins with 5 quick finishes and 3 draws, two of which were in her last 2 performances during 2024. 

For Kyeng Seo this will be her second world title opportunity and a ten rounder. The first time was against another Japanese, Riyuna Yoshikawa where they ended in a draw. 

Kuroki will arrive on January 21 with 23 wins, 10 of which were before the limit, 8 losses and 2 draws.