Unlike in his previous trips in Japan, reigning Orient-Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight king Kenneth Llover is arriving there way ahead of time before a big fight.

The undefeated Llover, armed with a 16-0-0 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts, including four in the first round, defends the OPBF 118-pound belt for the first time against Ayati Saikile of China on 27 December at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname.

Having won the title last March in Tokyo, the southpaw Llover is looking to boost his world ranking in line with his team’s mission of securing a world title fight in 2026.

The Saikile showdown will be Llover’s fourth fight this year.

After knocking out Keita Kurihara to bag the crown, Llover figured in two non-title matches, halting ex-Panamanian world champion Luis Concepcion in August and dispatching Luciano Baldor of Argentina last October in Kyrgyzstan.

Two-division world titleholder Gerry Peñalosa, who runs the affairs of Llover, accompanied the hard-hitting Cavite puncher on the flight to Nagoya last Friday.

In his past appearances on Japanese soil, Llover only left Manila three days before the scheduled fight

Joining Llover in Japan now are chief trainer Dindo Campo and renowned strength and conditioning coach Alex Ariza.

Currently, Llover is rated No. 5 by the International Boxing Federation, No. 10 by the World Boxing Association and No. 9 by the World Boxing Council.