Lee Haskins to defend IBF bantamweight belt against Shohei Omori in Japan

IBF bantamweight champion Lee Haskins (34-3,14 KOs) will defend his title against Shohei Omori (17-1, 12 KOs) on December 31 at the Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan.

Haskins is coming off a couple of points wins in his previous world title defences against Mexican Ivan Morales in May and fellow Briton Stuart Hall in September.

Now the Bristol boxer will meet Japanese southpaw Omori, whose sole defeat came when he was stopped in two rounds by current WBO champion Marlon Tapales last December.

"At this point in my career it's all about having experiences. I've fought my last two opponents at home and now it will be nice to soak up the atmosphere in Japan," said Haskins.

"I have boxed in Spain, Belgium, France and Morrocco so I'm no stranger to travel but each place brings something new and I look forward to seeing what Japan has to offer on New Year's Eve."

The card also features IBF super bantamweight champion Jonathan Guzman's title defence against Yukinori Ogunui, and Kazuto Ioka's defence of the WBA flyweight title against Yutthana Kaensa.