Armenian-born flyweight and junior bantamweight Darchinyan, who represents Australia, will challenge Japan’s Shinsuke Yamanaka in Tokyo on April 1, according to told ESPN.com.

Darchinyan's promoter, Gary Shaw, was quoted as telling the website that the fight might be moved back one week into late March. He said he closed the deal with Teiken Boxing promoter Akihiko Honda on Friday night.

"I am very happy I was able to make a world title fight for Vic," Shaw said. "He wanted another opportunity so badly that we took this fight for short money to do it."

During his 2004 to 2007 flyweight title reign, the heavy-punching, trash-talking Darchinyan (37-4-1, 27 KOs) made six defenses and became a staple on Showtime before losing his belt to Nonito Donaire on a fifth-round knockout. During his 2008 to 2010 junior bantamweight title reign, Darchinyan made four defenses and unified three major belts.

But as a bantamweight, he has not had similar success. During his junior bantamweight reign, Darchinyan stepped up in weight to challenge titleholder Joseph Agbeko, who outpointed him in a competitive fight in July 2009.

In his last fight, on Dec. 3, Darchinyan lost a lopsided decision to bantamweight titlist Anselmo Moreno, a technical fighter who boxed circles around him.