Masamichi Yabuki now heads home as title defense vs. Felix Alvarado moved to Japan

The defending IBF flyweight titlist’s oft-relocated mandatory title defense against Felix Alvarado will now take place on December 27 at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan. The new date and site are a welcomed change for Yabuki, who previously anticipated a long trip to Mexico per the terms of a purse bid won by Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions on behalf of Alvarado.