Carlos Canizales vs Daiya Kira Preview September 2nd, 2026
Former WBA Light Flyweight Champion Carlos Canizales of Venezuela will be battling it out with unbeaten Daiya ‘The Shining Diamond’ Kira of Japan for the vacant WBA Belt this Wednesday, September 2nd. The 12-rounder will be held in Yokohama, Japan and can be seen live in that country on Lemino. Canizales last fought 12 months ago when he stopped Panya PradabsriI (Petchmanee CP Freshmart) in the fifth round after being dropped in the fourth. It was a rematch as the two met in December, 2024 for the vacant WBC Light Flyweight Belt in PradabsriI’s hometown of Bangkok, Thailand. the hometown fighter definitely got a Christmas gift in that fight with a majority decision victory. Prior to meeting Pradabsril, Canizales edged Ivan Garcia Balderas by a 12-round majority decision for the WBC Silver Light Flyweight Title and before that he dropped a majority decision to Kenshiro Teraji in Japan in a shot at the WBA Super, and the WBC Light Flyweight Titles. Kira was last in the ring in December when he halted Balderas in the second round.
Canizales vs Kira Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Carlos Canizales +237
- Daiya Kira -325
My Pick
The 33-year-old Canizales has a record of 28-3-1 with 20 Ko’s. He won the vacant WBA Light Flyweight Title in 2018 with a unanimous decision over Reiya Konishi. He defended it against Bin Lu by 12th-round stoppage and Sho Kimura by unanimous decision. However he then lost the belt to Esteban Bermudez when he was stopped in the sixth round in May, 2021. Before losing to Bermudez the only blemish on his record was a 12-round split decision draw with Ryoichi Taguchi on New Year’s Eve, 2016 in an attempt to win Taguchi’s WBA Light Flyweight Crown.
Canizales turned pro in 2014 and has 186 rounds of experience under his belt since. He possesses good power as 71.4 per cent of his victories have come by way of stoppage but has halted just four of his past 12 opponents. The former champion measures 5-feet-3-inches tall with a reach of 64.5 inches. Canizales also won the WBA Fedelatin Light Flyweight Title in 2015 with an 11-round split decision over Rober Barrera and also has wins over Ganigan Lopez and Daniel Matellon.
Kira is just 23 years old and owns a perfect mark of 4-0 with 3 Ko’s. He has boxed just 12 rounds rounds since turning pro in 2024. As an amateur he fought at the 2023 Japanese National Championships, the 2022 All-Japan Men’s Tournament and the AIBA Youth World Championships. He’s known for his excellent speed and bodywork and fights out of the Shisei Boxing Gym in Tokyo.
Kira was originally set to meet unified champion Rene Santiago, but Santiago suffered an elbow injury and is “champion in recess.” If Kira beats Canizales he will equal the record set by Kosei Tanaka for being the fastest Japanese boxer to win a world title, doing it in just his fifth pro fight. Kira stands 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 61.5-inch reach so is an inch taller than Canizales but he gives up three inches in reach. He also possesses plenty of power as his current knockout ratio clocks in at 75 per cent.
Prediction…
We all saw what can happen when a hot prospect finally faces an elite opponent when Moses Itauma couldn’t handle Filip Hrgovic last weekend. This week’s fight could be a replica of that or Kira could prove that he’s ready to handle the best. Canizales is one of boxing’s most underrated performers and one of the best in his division. Canizales’ will likely need to outbox Kira though as his power hasn’t been as evident lately. Both are fan-friendly boxers who are at their best when they throw punches in volume. Canizales could prove to be a bit too much for Kira at this stage of their careers though. It’s a close call and Canizales will have to be at his very best to earn a win and his chin will need to be solid. Anything can happen here but I’m leaning slightly towards Canizales.
Canizales’ experience should lead to a win.
Play: Canizales +237 @ BetOnline.ag
Carlos Canizales betting • Daiya Kira betting