Heavy-handed Mizuki Hiruta is living the dream with trainer Manny Robles

WBO junior bantamweight champion Mizuki Hiruta will make her U.S. debut on Friday with some already touting her for stardom.

Hiruta will face Maribel Ramirez in a 10-round title fight from the Commerce Casino, in Commerce, California. The bout is promoted by 360 Promotions will stream on UFC Fight Pass.

360 Promotions head honcho, Tom Loeffler, has a history of promoting international fighters and making them interesting and viable to American fight fans. Think of the Klitschko brothers, Roman Gonzalez and, of course, Gennadiy Golovkin. 

Hiruta is a power-puncher from Japan, who holds a belt. Hiruta, who looks like an influencer with her purple hair and charismatic smile, could be one of the fighters to watch for in 2025. She stands out and gets knockouts. Hiruta is armed with an experienced trainer in Manny Robles, a staple at 360 Promotions who will help her navigate the professional waters.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Hiruta, 28, said. “Coach Manny [Robles] and I have worked very well together and I look forward to putting on a show for the boxing fans and my Japanese supporters at the fight and those watching on UFC Fight Pass.”

Hiruta holds a record of 6-0 (2 KOs) and won her title in her fourth professional fight against Kanako Taniyama. The title was vacant at the time she fought for it and she has made two defenses since. All of her fights have taken place at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.

When asked about her upcoming fight against Ramirez, 38, from Mexico City, who holds a record of 15-10-4 (3 KOs), she said, “She is very mentally tough,” Hiruta said in an interview posted on Miguel Maravilla’s YouTube page.

Her trainer, Robles, talked about future plans. The goal of that plan looks to be for Hiruta to be viewed as the best fighter in her division by year’s end.

“If all goes well, we will be making a mandatory defense of her belt in April,” Robles told Red Gloves News. “After the mandatory, who knows? Maybe a unification.”