Up-and-coming Japanese junior flyweight Daiya Kira isn't letting the grass grow under his feet.

The 22-year-old fighter has won his first three fights without incident, showing considerable promise along the way.

On the undercard of stablemate Kazuto Ioka's fight with Maikel Ordosgoitti, Kira will face Ivan Balderas in a WBA eliminator at the Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.

"Balderas is a big step up, but it's the challenge I wanted," Kira (3-0, 2 KOs) told The Ring.

"I have confidence in my daily work, and believe this will be a fight where I can show my growth. The stronger the opponent, the more they bring out the best in me."

In his three fights to date, Kira has shown both impressive power scoring a pair of first-round knockouts and last time out a keen boxing brain when he dominated Jackson Zapata during an eight-round points win on May 11.

While some may feel he could benefit from more experience before a world title eliminator, he believes he has been brought along at the right pace.

"People say my progression has been fast, but I don't feel rushed at all," he said. "I trust the work I put in every day."

Kira, who trainers under Shuhei Sasaki, says he feels comfortable at 108-pounds.

"The junior flyweight division has many strong fighters, including successful Japanese boxers, and that environment pushes me to become better," he said.

"My goals are to become a world champion, unify titles, and eventually become a multi-division champion."

Kira had an eye on WBO ruler Rene Santiago upsetting WBA counterpart Kyosuke Takami on December 17 and was impressed by the Puerto Rican.

"In a very high-level fight, I praise Santiago for controlling the 12 rounds better," he said. "I highly rate Santiago’s strength and skill.

"If I win my next fight and earn the WBA title shot, I would definitely like to fight Santiago."

Garcia (13-4-1, 5 KOs) won his first seven before coming unstuck against Yahir Frank, suffering a fourth-round knockout loss. He returned with a four-fight win streak before being stopped again, a round earlier, by Luis Cerrito Hernandez.

The 24-year-old Mexican held Rodrigo Ramirez to a 10-round split draw in December 2023 on away soil in Venezuela. On a return trip the following July, he suffered a 12-round majority decision loss by future WBC junior flyweight champion Carlos Canizales, who has since been given the champion in recess distinction after recent events in his nation.

He then suffered a fifth-round stoppage by unbeaten compatriot Yoali Mejia Mosqueda in March, before rebounding with a final-round finish of his own beyond Jesus Lava in August.