Tokyo will play host to an all-Japanese blockbuster on Monday, July 20, as rising knockout artist Riku Masuda and former world champion Daigo Higa collide for the World Boxing Affiliation (WBA) Bantamweight World Championship in a high-stakes conflict that guarantees fireworks.
Riku Masuda (10-1, 9 KOs) enters the most important struggle of his profession driving a wave of momentum and carrying the standing of betting favourite due to his devastating punching energy. The hard-hitting southpaw earned his title alternative with a spectacular stoppage victory over legendary former champion Nonito Donaire in a WBA title eliminator. Standing 5-foot-9 with a outstanding 90 p.c knockout ratio, the 20-year-old standout will look to dictate the tempo behind a protracted, correct jab, capitalize on sharp counterpunching alternatives, and use his youth, attain, and explosive energy to neutralize Higa’s relentless stress.
Throughout the ring, Daigo Higa (21-3-3, 19 KOs) brings championship pedigree and battle-tested expertise into one other world title alternative. The 30-year-old Okinawan warrior has constructed his repute by thrilling performances and enters this bout after back-to-back attracts towards elite opposition in Seiya Tsutsumi and Antonio Vargas. Decided to reclaim a world championship, Higa is predicted to use fixed stress from the opening bell, slip Masuda’s jab with upper-body motion, and work his trademark hooks to the physique in an effort to tug the youthful man into close-range exchanges.
For Masuda, the blueprint is obvious: preserve self-discipline, management distance, and keep away from getting drawn right into a firefight on the within. Higa, in the meantime, should take up the incoming fireplace early, reduce off the ring successfully, and break down the favourite’s legs and stamina if he hopes to reclaim world championship glory.
