Filipino pride Donnie Nietes and reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior-bantamweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan are reportedly set to clash in a world title bout on July 13 in Japan.
A report by BoxingScene.com stated that both camps have agreed to terms to avoid a WBO purse bid hearing. Final venue and more details have yet to be disclosed.
Interestingly, Nietes, who holds a 43-1-6 record on top of 23 knockouts, will mark his debut fight in the Land of the Rising Sun against Ioka.
The bout was formally ordered last April 1 as the two boxing stars figure in a rematch since their 2018 New Year's Eve encounter.
The 39-year-old Nietes drew first blood against Ioka with a split decision win against Ioka on December 31, 2018.
Nietes, however, vacated the belt months later which enabled the Japanese star to grab the opportunity and win the title against Filipino boxer Aston Palicte in June 2019.
The man nicknamed "Ahas" went on a two-year hiatus but returned on a high note and scored a unanimous decision win over Pablo Carillo in April last year to bag the vacant WBO International junior-bantamweight belt.
Nietes, who had signed with Probellum Promotion, last saw action against Norbelto Jimenez but the 10-round bout ended up with a split draw as the former retained the WBO International title.
The 33-year-old Ioka, for his part, rode on a five-match win streak since absorbing a split decision loss against Nietes with the most recent victory coming against compatriot Ryoji Fukunaga by way of unanimous decision last New Year's Eve in Japan.
The Japanese champion improved to 28 wins built on 15 KOs with two losses.