Isaac Dogboe fights Hidenori on Sat. August 25

London-based Ghanian Isaac ‘Brave-Son’ Dogboe (19-0), who boxed for Ghana at the London Olympics after being overlooked by the Team GB squad, will head to the Arizona desert on August 25 for his first world title defense against Japan’s Hidenori Otake (31-2-3).

The 23-year-old Londoner from Stockwell won the WBO strap with an 11th-round stoppage victory over former titleholder Jessie Magdaleno (25-0) last April in Philadelphia and goes back to the States for the seventh time to defend his honours.

The fight is likely to take place somewhere in the United States of America. Hidenori Otake is ranked sixth in the Super Bantamweight division.

Ghana’s Dogboe, 19-0 (13 KO’s), 23, is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, who have options on the champion following his eleventh-round TKO of former champion—and Top Rank fighter—Jessie Magdaleno.

The bout is likely to take place on the undercard of WBO world lightweight champion Raymundo Beltran’s first title defense, which could be against Jose Pedraza or Roman Andreev.

Isaac Dogboe’s planned long-term reign as the WBO junior featherweight king begins with a first title defence against veteran Japanese slugger, Hidenori Otake on August 25 in the USA.

The 36-year-old Otake, 31-2-3 (14 KOs), has seen better days but will come into this bout having won nine in a row since his 2014 lopsided loss to Scott Quigg. Dogboe will be a prohibitive favourite.