The veteran world flyweight champion, Japanese Naoko Fujioka, will return to the ring in the United States for a great unification bout against American Marlen Esparza on April 9 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. 

The Japanese fighter was victorious un her last defense of her 112 lbs. belt against Sulem Urbina in an entertaining fight in the United States in July 2021. It will be the 46-year-old Esparza’s fourth defense of the crown, and she has made a reputation for herself in the U.S.

Esparza is the WBC champion and will be defending her title for the second time. The 32-year-old Houston native has just defeated Anabel Ortiz in her most recent fight. She is a tough fighter who likes to exchange and has good speed.

The fight will be part of the main event that will mark the return of Ryan Garcia to face Emmanuel Tagoe at lightweight and will also feature Gabriel Rosado vs. Shane Mosley Jr. for the WBA Continental Americas title.

Fujioka has a record of 19 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 7 wins before the limit. In the case of Esparza, he has 11 wins, 1 loss and only 1 knockout.