Ricardo Sandoval won the WBA/WBC Flyweight title with a 12-round split decision over Kenshiro Teraji in Japan.

Scores were 117-110 and 115-112 for Sandoval. Teraji won a card 114-113.

Sandoval, 111 3/4 lbs of Rialto, CA is now 27-2. Teraji, 111 1/2 lbs of Yokoyama, JAP is 25-2.

Antonio Vargas Gets Late Knockdown to Salvage Draw and Title Against Higa

Antonio Vargas retained the WBA Bantamweight title with a 12-round draw with Daigo Higa,

In round four, Higa dropped Vargas with a left hook.

In round 12, Vargas landed a little right uppercut on the inside that put Higa on the canvas.

That knockdown was extremely important as all scorecards read 113-113.

Vargasm 117 1/4 lbs of Kissimmee, FL is 19-1-1. Higa of Okinawa, JAP 20-3-3.

Takami Wins WBA Light Flyweight Title with 10th Round Stoppage over Rosa

Kyosuke Takami won the WBA Light Flyweight title with a 10th round stoppage over Erick Rosa.

In round 10, Takami dropped Rosa with a straight left. Rosa was hurt badly and Takami followed up with a hard flurry and the fight was stopped at 2:48

Takami, 107 3/4 lbs of Tokyo is 10-0 with eight knockouts. Rosa, 107 3/4 lbs is 8-1.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (July 29, 2025) – WBA Bantamweight World Champion Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs), co-promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, has officially made weight for his highly anticipated world title defense against Japan’s #2-ranked contender Daigo Higa (23-3-2, 19 KOs).  

The 12-round title fight will go down at the well-known BUNTAI Arena in Yokohama, Japan, setting the scene for a tough battle in the heart of Higa’s home country. Fans in the US and UK can catch all the action live on DAZN and Matchroom’s social media channels starting at 5:30 am ET / 2:30 am PT.

Vargas, who tipped the scales at the bantamweight limit of 117.1 lbs., looked sharp and focused at the official weigh-in as he prepares to defend his title for the first time since claiming the WBA crown. His opponent Daigo Higa tipped the scale at 117.8 lbs. “Making weight is part of the discipline,” said Vargas. “I’ve had a focused camp and feel great. The hard work is done, and now it’s time to put on a show.”

The 28-year-old champion, a proud native of Kissimmee, Florida, remains confident and composed heading into the toughest test of his career against the hard-hitting Higa, a former world champion with an aggressive, high-pressure style. “I’m ready—mentally, physically, and spiritually,” Vargas continued. “Defending this title means everything to me. I’ve earned it, and I plan on showing why I’m the best in the division.”

This world title clash holds more than personal significance for Vargas. As a 2016 U.S. Olympian and one of the country’s top bantamweights, he views this fight as a chance to represent more than himself. “I fight with pride every time I step into that ring,” Vargas declared. “This title is for my family, my team, and for the USA. I’m carrying the flag into battle, and I’m ready to stand tall.”

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN (July 23, 2025) — The champ has touched down. Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs), the reigning WBA Bantamweight World Champion, who is co-promoted with Boxlab Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, has officially arrived in Japan ahead of his July 30th title defense against hometown hero and #2 ranked contender Daigo Higa (23-3-2, 19 KOs).

The highly anticipated 12-round clash will take place at the historic BUNTAI Arena in Yokohama, setting the stage for a fierce showdown on enemy turf. The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN and on Matchroom’s social channels in the US and UK.

Vargas arrived with confidence, calm, and a laser focus sharpened by months of preparation. “I didn’t come this far to give anything up,” Vargas said upon arrival in front of a host of Japanese media members. “I respect Higa, I respect his crowd—but I came to handle business. I’m here to show that a true champion can rise anywhere, under any lights.”

The Kissimmee, Florida native is embracing the challenge of fighting in Japan—10,000 miles from home—and sees it as the next step in his journey. “This is all part of God’s plan. My faith in Jesus Christ has kept me strong through camp and brought me here with peace in my heart. I feel blessed for this moment, and I’m ready to make it count.”

Vargas’ arrival was met with media buzz and excitement from fans eager to witness a world title bout featuring one of boxing’s most dynamic rising stars.

“Antonio is ready,” said Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra as he expressed full confidence in his fighter. “He’s been locked in since day one, and now he’s stepping into Higa’s backyard with the mindset of a world-class champion. We believe in him. He’s going to show the world what heart, faith, and grit look like on the biggest stage.”

“This is a huge night for Antonio, and one on a great platform for him to show that he is ready to rule the world for a long time,” said Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn. “Daigo is a real test to face in a first defense, but it’s a challenge that Antonio is running towards with intent and belief, and the whole team believe that he will retain that title and will be hunting unification battles in the near future.”

With just days to go until the bell rings, the intensity is building in Yokohama. Antonio Vargas has landed. The mission is clear…defend the crown, silence the crowd, and leave Japan with the belt still in hand.

ORLANDO, FL (July 22, 2025) — Boxlab Promotions’ electrifying champion Antonio Vargas (19-1, 11 KOs) is packing up his WBA Bantamweight World Title and taking it straight into enemy territory, ready to light up Yokohama, Japan, in a can’t-miss showdown against the dangerous #2 ranked contender Daigo Higa (23-3-2, 19 KOs). The two warriors are set to clash in a high-stakes, 12-round war at Yokohama’s iconic BUNTAI Arena, where Vargas will step into an electric, unfamiliar atmosphere like nothing he’s faced before.

Vargas, 28, fighting out of Kissimmee, Florida, sees this moment as more than just a fight—it’s a calling. “Going into another man’s backyard just fires me up. I’ve been overlooked before, but now I get to defend my world title in Japan and show the fans what I’m made of,” said Vargas. “This ain’t just about boxing—it’s about showing that belief, preparation, and heart travel wherever I go.”

Vargas attributes his mental and spiritual strength to his deep faith. “My relationship with Jesus Christ has kept me grounded, kept me focused. I don’t walk into that ring alone—my faith walks in with me. That’s why I’m ready for anything.”

As he prepares for one of the toughest tests of his career, Vargas remains humble and thankful. “I’m blessed just to be in this position. Not everyone gets this shot—to defend a world title, in another country, on this kind of stage. I’m living my dream and I’m not taking it for granted. Winning this fight puts me in a whole new stratosphere. It means legacy. It means taking my career to the elite level. And I’m coming to claim it.”

“We couldn’t be prouder of Antonio,” said Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra, who has high praise for his world champion. “He’s not only a champion inside the ring, but in life. Going to Japan, defending his world title against a top contender like Higa—that’s what true warriors do. I believe with all my heart that he’ll walk into Yokohama as the world champion and leave with his hand raised high.”

TOKYO (Dec. 27, 2024) — Three bantamweight firefights, including a pair of world title showdowns, are set for Monday, Feb. 24, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

In the main event, pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani will defend his WBC crown against unbeaten Mexican puncher David Cuellar. Newly crowned WBA champion Seiya Tsutsumi makes his first defense against former flyweight king Daigo Higa in the all-Japanese co-feature.

And, in a 10-round special feature, kickboxing legend Tenshin Nasukawa continues his burgeoning boxing journey against Australian former world champion Jason “Mayhem” Moloney.

Nakatani-Cuellar, Tsutsumi-Higa, and Tenshin-Moloney will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ as part of a special early-morning presentation.

Nakatani (29-0, 22 KOs) enters 2025 coming off a prolific year that saw him ascend the bantamweight mountaintop. He dethroned Alexandro Santiago by sixth-round stoppage to win the WBC title in February, made his first defense in July with a first-round stoppage over Vincent Astrolabio, and notched a sixth-round TKO over Thailand’s Tasana Salapat in October. From Querétaro, Mexico, Cuellar (28-0, 18 KOs) turned pro in 2017 and will make his first professional appearance outside his home country. He is 5-0 since moving up to bantamweight in 2023, including a stoppage win over former world champion Luis Concepción.

Tsutsumi (12-0-2, 8 KOs) and Higa fought to a 10-round majority draw in October 2020 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. A longtime Japanese bantamweight champion, Tsutsumi bested Takuma Inoue by unanimous decision in October to capture the WBA title. Higa (21-3-1, 19 KOs) reigned as WBC flyweight world champion from 2017-2018. He is 5-2 since the defeat to Tsutsumi, most recently dropping a competitive decision to WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei in September.

Tenshin (5-0, 2 KOs) turned pro in April 2023 and is ranked in the top 10 by three sanctioning organizations. He went 3-0 in 2024, capping off his campaign with a 10-round decision over Gerwin Asilo for the WBO Asia Pacific belt. Moloney (27-3, 19 KOs) became a crowd favorite in Japan when he fought Takei in May at the Toyko Dome. Despite losing a unanimous decision and his WBO bantamweight title to Takei, he had Takei badly hurt in the final seconds of the 12^th round. He returns against one of Japan’s mainstream sporting heroes in hopes of earning another title opportunity.

Yoshiki Takei retained the WBO Bantamweight title with a close and hotly contested 12-round unanimous decision over Daigo Higa.

Takei, 117 3/4 lbs of Yokoyama, JAP won by scores of 115–112 twice and 114-113 and is now 10-0. Higa, 117 3/4 lbs of Tokyo is 21-3-1.

TOKYO (July 16, 2024) — Pound-for-pound icon Naoya “The Monster” Inoue will defend his undisputed super bantamweight world championship against Irish-born former world champion TJ Doheny on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. Inoue, a two-weight undisputed king, has knocked out eight consecutive foes.
 
Inoue-Doheny headlines a star-studded card streaming live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+. This special early morning broadcast will also include WBO bantamweight world champion Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8 KOs) defending his belt against former flyweight world champion Daigo Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs).

Venezuelan puncher Ismael Barroso (25-4-2, 23 KOs) will defend his interim junior welterweight world title versus rising Japanese contender Andy Hiraoka (23-0, 18 KOs) in undercard action.

“Naoya Inoue is a generational talent, and every time he fights, the boxing world stops to watch the master at work,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “TJ Doheny is a veteran who can never be counted out, as he’s defied the odds many times when fighting in Japan.”
 
Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) claimed his first world title more than 10 years ago and is 22-0 with 20 knockouts in world championship fights. Inoue’s undisputed legacy began in December 2022 when he knocked out Paul Butler to unify all the bantamweight titles. He then consolidated the super bantamweight division in short order, capturing the WBC and WBO world titles by stopping Stephen Fulton in eight in July 2023 before vanquishing WBA/IBF champion Marlon Tapales that December. The 31-year-old powerhouse, named 2023 Fighter of the Year by ESPN and Ring Magazine, returned to headline at the historic Tokyo Dome in May. In the first boxing card there since Buster Douglas shocked Mike Tyson in 1990, Inoue survived a first-round knockdown to KO Mexican two-division champ Luis Nery in six.
  
Doheny (26-4, 20 KOs) has a rich history in Japan and against Japanese fighters. He is 3-0 against Japanese fighters and 4-0 on Japanese soil, with three victories as the betting underdog. Doheny dethroned IBF junior featherweight world champion Ryosuke Iwasa on enemy territory in August 2018. He defended the belt against Japanese challenger Ryohei Takahashi via 11th-round TKO the following January before losing the strap to Danny Roman in a close unification fight that April. Despite some setbacks, Doheny has rebounded with three consecutive wins on Japanese turf. He defeated Kazuki Nakajima via fourth-round TKO in June 2023, blasted out Japhethlee Llamido by first-round stoppage last October, and triumphed over Bryl Bayogos in four rounds on the Inoue-Nery undercard.