Japanese boxer Naoya Inoue, the IBF and WBA bantamweight world titleholder, strikes a pose in Yokohama on Oct. 29, 2021. (Pool photo/Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's Naoya Inoue, the IBF and WBA bantamweight world champion, will take on the IBF's sixth-ranked challenger, Aran Dipaen of Thailand, on Dec. 14 in Tokyo, Inoue's Ohashi Gym said Friday.

       The bout at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, part of a world title doubleheader, will be Inoue's first fight in Japan since November 2019 when the 28-year-old beat Nonito Donaire of the Philippines by unanimous decision in the final of the World Boxing Super Series.

       "While enjoying the thrill of at last bringing those things I can do to Japan, one by one I will prepare each aspect well," Inoue said during an online press conference.

       "I'm really fired up. Going forward I want to study video of him and practice my countermeasures," he said.

       Inoue last fought in June in Las Vegas when he cruised to another title defense by knocking out Michael Dasmarinas of the Philippines in three rounds to improve to 21-0 with 18 KOs.

       Dipaen is 12-2 with 11 KOs, according to boxing resource BoxRec.

       On the same card, Japan's Masataka Taniguchi, the WBO's top-ranked minimumweight, will fight champion Wilfredo Mendez of Puerto Rico on the same card.

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