Naoko Fujioka is set for another U.S. appearance when she takes on hard-hitting Marlen Esparza next Saturday in a unification fight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight title and WBC belt.
Both women will step into the ring as part of the Golden Boy Promotions’ main event at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, which will feature the return of Ryan Garcia to face Emmanuel Tagoe in the main event.
Fujioka is coming off a great performance last July when she defended her world championship against Sulem Urbina in Los Angeles. The 46-year-old Japanese proved to be in great shape and scored a big win as a visitor to earn the opportunity to appear in another big event.
Esparza, a Houston native, will be in her backyard and comes in with three wins in a row for the second defense of her WBC crown. The champion wants to add the black and gold belt to her trophy cabinet but it won’t be easy against an experienced fighter like Fujioka.
The Japanese has 19 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw and 7 knockouts, while the Mexican-American has 11 wins, 1 loss and 1 knockout.
