Esteban Bermudez was never bothered by the lengthy wait to get to this point.

The anticipation of fighting who he feels to be the very best junior flyweight in the world helped offset having to go more than a year between fights.

Bermudez can take comfort in knowing his opponent is in a similar position. Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi (15-0, 10KOs) will have been out of the ring for 15 months by the time they meet in their WBA junior flyweight title consolidation clash Friday evening at Domo Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico (DAZN, 8:00 p.m. ET).

“I was just laying low and resting because we never had a fight date,” Bermudez told BoxingScene.com of the 54-week gap between ring appearances. “Then about a month and a half ago, we finally got a date so we picked up the pace in training camp.

“I’m ready for this challenge. I’m facing the guy I feel who is the best junior flyweight in the world. Hiroto Kyoguchi is the type of fighter I’ve always wanted to face, to prove that I am the best.”

Kyoguchi puts his WBA ‘Super’ 108-pound title on the line for the fourth time, while Neza, Mexico’s Bermudez (14-3-2, 10KOs) looks to upgrade the WBA ‘World’ junior flyweight belt he won more than a year ago.

Bermudez pulled off a considerable upset in a sixth-round knockout of unbeaten secondary titlist Carlos Canizales last May 29 in Mexico City. Venezuela’s Canizales hadn’t fought in two years before entering what was supposed to be a routine, voluntary title defense before pursuing Kyoguchi for the main crown.

Instead, it was Bermudez who was in the right place at the right time and with his countryman on site to witness the experience. The same advantage is enjoyed in this fight, though Bermudez was prepared to travel around the world to prove he belongs in the discussion of the division’s best fighters.

All that was required was a lot of patience. The fight was ordered last June, with several delays due to injury and other external matters putting plans on hold until Matchroom Boxing and Eddy Reynoso—Kyoguchi’s promoter and manager, respectively—were able to work out the right date and platform for the fight.

“It’s the same whether it’s in Mexico or if I had to fight in Japan,” insisted Bermudez. “All that mattered to me was getting this fight. I was prepared to have to fight in his home country if necessary but I’m also happy that the fight takes place here in Mexico. I’m just excited to get this fight and keep moving forward with my career.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox