Tokyo, Japan - With incredible motivation for his third title defense, World Boxing Organization (WBO) 105-pound champion Wilfredo 'Bimbito' Méndez of Puerto Rico stepped onto Japanese soil alongside his training team for their engagement on Tuesday, December 14 at Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium.

Upon arrival, Méndez was approached by the Japanese press and these were his statements:

“To all the Japanese fans, I assure you that on December 14 you will have a real battle, a quality fight. I am in top condition. I have been training hard for two years. I have not lowered my guard because I knew that the mandatory with Taniguchi was going to come to me and here we are in Japan for December 14 to go out through the wide door."

'Bimbito' (16-1, 6 KOs) will face the Japanese champion Masataka Taniguchi (14-3, 9 KOs), first ranked under the WBO in the minimumweight division and mandatory challenger of the sanctioning body.

This fight will serve as the co-featured fight of the evening, which is headlined by unified 118-pound champion Naoya Inoue, who will face Aran Dipaen of Thailand.

'Bimbito' was accompanied by his coaches Yoel 'Yowy' González, Freddy Trinidad and Luis Gullo Medina.