Brandon Figueroa believes a successful first defense of his WBA featherweight title against Tomoki Kameda could open the door to a showdown with Naoya Inoue.

Figueroa, 27-2-1 (20 KOs), ripped the belt away from Nick Ball with a dramatic stoppage victory in Liverpool back in February and is set to defend his title against Japan’s Kameda in October, after Premier Boxing Champions announced the bout following its new broadcast deal with DAZN.

Although there had been reports that the fight could take place in Japan this October, Figueroa told BoxingScene he expects it to land in either Texas or California.

Kameda, 42-5 (23 KOs), is a former bantamweight titleholder and one of Japan’s most recognizable names. The 35-year-old most recently lost a majority decision to IBF featherweight beltholder Angelo Leo in 2025, but will have another shot against Figueroa.

“Honestly, I didn’t see that fight with Angelo Leo. I’m the type of boxer, I hardly watch boxing,” Figueroa told BoxingScene. “I love to train and fight, but I’ll definitely be watching his tapes as the fight gets closer. I think the last time I saw him fight live was when he fought Ray Vargas in Carson, which was years ago, like years ago.

“I know he’s a veteran. He’s been in the ring with world champions, former world champions. He has a lot of grit. He has a lot of experience. I don’t take any fighter lightly, no matter the record, no matter what.”

Victory over Kameda would further strengthen Figueroa’s profile in Japan, where the current pound-for-pound king and undisputed junior featherweight champion Inoue is teasing a move up in weight.

“Of course [I’d love to fight Inoue], why not?” said Figueroa. “I feel like that’s a very doable fight and I don’t know, it might be in the works.

“My older brother [Omar Figueroa Jnr] also faced a Japanese fighter [Nihito Arakawa in 2013] and they went to war. I’m pretty sure Japan is pretty familiar with me and my brother, with the name Figueroa, because that fight was Fight of the Year.

“My brother ended up breaking both of his hands and he ended up winning the belt. It was a war. I recommend any fighter to watch that fight. And now I am facing another Japanese fighter, so I have become sort of popular in Japan as well. I personally haven’t fought a Japanese fighter. So I’m really looking forward to it.”