Antonio Vargas Travels Overseas to Defend WBA Bantamweight World Title Against Daigo Higa in Japan
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 23 Jul 2025
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.”
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