The 35-year-old super-flyweight will face his nemesis in a rematch in Tokyo, Japan, on New Year’s Eve (31.12.24) and has hinted he will be considering his future if he loses to his opponent for a second time.

He told Boxing News magazine: “I won’t necessarily retire if I lose, but this isn’t a world where you can keep thinking there will be another chance.”

Kazuto has been working hard with his friend and coach Shuhei Sasaki ahead of the rematch.

He said: “I have known him since we were youngsters at the same university.

“I have known him since we were young.

“He is a trainer that I trust very much, because he understands me very well.

“This time I have trained in Japan. But what we have to do is the same. Training has not changed much.”

And the boxer admits it is “special” to be fighting in his home country on New Year’s Eve.

He said: “It is a special day for me to fight on New Year’s Eve in Japan.

“So as long as people are expecting me, I have a strong feeling that I want to compete on that day.

“It is a special feeling to have a match on that day for such a long time.

“Now all I can think about is beating him.”