Felix Alvarado-Reiya Konishi set for May 19th in Kobe, Japan

IBF 108-pound champion Felix Alvarado will make his first title defense on the road, taking on top-ranked contender Reiya Konishi on May 18th in the latter’s home town of Kobe, Japan.

Alvarado (34-2, 30 KO) last fought in Japan in 2013, losing a decision to Kazuto Ioka in a bid for the WBA light flyweight title. He lost his subsequent WBA flyweight title bout to Juan Carlos Reveco, but is 16-0 (15 KO) since then, most recently stopping Randy Petalcorin for the vacant light flyweight belt formerly held by Hekkie Budler.

Konishi (17-1, 7 KO), five years Alvarado’s junior, campaigned mostly at minimumweight, picking up a win over recent title challenger Masataka Taniguchi, before unsuccessfully challenging Carlos Canizales for the vacant WBA light flyweight belt last March. He’s since picked up a pair of knockouts over marginal competition

Alvarado will have a three-inch reach advantage.

The lowest weight classes don’t get enough credit, but Alvarado is always good for a scrap. Here’s hoping they get some eyes on them.