A 34-year-old southpaw who also holds the WBA and WBO titles, Rigondeaux was last in action for a first-round knockout of Sod Kokietgym on a Top Rank Promotions card in Macau, China in July.

“This is my second time fighting in Asia this year,” said Rgondeaux, who ended ended a 36-0-1 unbeaten streak for Kokietgym and was coming off consecutive unanimous decisions over Nonito Donaire in April 2013 and Joseph Agbeko last December.

“I am very frustrated that the other world beltholders are running scared and won’t fight me. It’s disgraceful that we couldn’t find a world-class, 122-pound fighter to fight me.”

Rigondeaux’s manager, Gary Hyde has said his fighter would prefer bouts opposite RING No. 1-rated IBF beltholder Carl Frampton, RING No. 2-ranked WBC titleholder Leo Santa Cruz or RING No. 3 Scott Quigg, all of whom are undefeated.

“Unfortunately the only fighters who are prepared to challenge ‘Rigo’ are Asian fighters,” said Hyde, during an earlier interview with RingTV.com. “Santa Cruz. Frampton and Quigg want no part of him, so, Asia, here we come again.”

Amagasa (28-4-2, 19 KOs) has won 13 consecutive fights, seven by knockout, including stoppages in his past three bouts. Amagasa, 29, is coming off a 12th round technical knockout of Ryo Takenaka in October.

Amagasa last suffered defeat by unanimous decision to Ryol Li Lee in June 2010 but avenged that loss by unanimous decision in October 2013.

“I would like to thank Amagasa for dropping down from featherweight to challenge me,” said Rigondeaux. “I will put on an explosive fireworks display on New Year’s Eve in Japan.”

“We have already been offered a fight against another Japanese challenger in Japan this coming May,” said Hyde. “Rigondeaux is in tremendous condition, as always, and we are very confident going into this fight on New Year’s Eve that ‘Rigo’ will put on a another stellar performance.”

Note: Quotes from a release.