On Sunday, Costa Rica's David Jimenez will take on Mexico's Kenbun Torres in, of all places, Kyrgyzstan.

Jimenez, rated at No. 6 by The Ring at junior bantamweight, had no issues going to the boxing outpost and faces Torres at the Bishkek Arena, Bishkek. The fight will be shown on Abema at 4 p.m. Japanese time.

"It's been an incredible experience. Fighting in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, is historic not just for me but for Costa Rican boxing," Jimenez (17-1, 11 knockouts) told The Ring through his promoter Ernesto Sandoval.

"This is the first time a Costa Rican world champion fights in Central Asia, and the local fans have been very respectful and curious about the event. I’ve been welcomed here with open arms. It’s a great platform for our sport."

Sandoval of Fight Club Promotions Costa Rica, felt it was the right move to advance his fighter's career.

"We accepted this fight because we believe David is the best in the division, and he needs to face world-level opposition consistently," said the promoter.

While Jimenez holds the WBA interim title, he was happy to take one step back to move two forwards.

"This is a WBA world title eliminator, not a defense of my Interim belt," he said. "The winner of this fight becomes the mandatory challenger for the WBA junior bantamweight world championship – currently held by Fernando "Puma" Martínez.

"I'm focused on taking that step forward toward the absolute world title."

Of course, it was recently announced that if WBC/ Ring champion Jesse Rodriguez beats IBF ruler Phumelela Cafu in their unification on Saturday that he would face Martinez in another unification in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on The Ring IV promotion on November 22.

So, Jimenez will likely have to wait a little longer for his opportunity.

"If David wins, he becomes the WBA mandatory, that opens the door," explained Sandoval. "We're talking about global fights. That's the path we're on: world titles, legacy fights, and cementing Costa Rica as a serious boxing nation."

The 33-year-old expects a tough challenge from the Mexican in what should be an exciting fight between two aggressive come forward fighters.

"Kenbun Torres is a strong opponent with a solid international background," he explained. "Being of Mexican-Japanese heritage, he brings the toughness of Mexican boxing and the discipline of Japanese fighters. He’s aggressive and comes to win. I respect that. But I'm ready for whatever he brings. I've trained for a war, and if it turns into one, I'll be the last man standing."

Torres (15-5, 10 KOs) is the son of former WBC junior flyweight titlist German Torres. He started his own professional boxing career, at 16, with a defeat against former world title challenger Ricardo Barajas (TKO 4) in Mexico in 2003. However, he relocated to Japan and reeled off several wins but came to an end when he narrowly lost in a Japanese bantamweight national title fight to Masayuki Mitani (MD 10).

Torres later served 11 years in prison before returning to boxing where he lost three consecutive fights. His career appeared to be going nowhere but he sprang a pair of upset wins over Filipinos Reymart Gaballo (KO 1) and KJ Cataraja (SD 10).

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on X @AnsonWainwr1ght.