GAB Must Look Into Exploitation of Rated Filipino Fighters in Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 27 Jun 2026
Paras (R) loses to Yokoyama in Japan.
The Games and Amusements Board should look into the apparent exploitative practice of Japanese boxing promoters of utilizing world rated Filipino fighters ostensibly to advance or protect their own boxers.
As long time boxing aficionado and current radio boxing show host Romuel Alarcon (Isport Lang, Radyp Pilipinas 2) aptly put it: "Mukhang tinatalbusan at minimuna ang ating mga boksingero sa Japan".
In the latest case, title prospect Vince Paras was pitted against an undefeated newcomer Aoi Yokohama in a super flyweight bout and Paras lost by unanimous decision.
Paras had previously defeated former world champion Hiroto Kyoguchi and although he was beaten in their rematch also held in Japan, he was regarded as among the top fighters around the 112 lbs- 115 lbs. class. But the recent defeat to Yokohama will sink or even move him out of the rankings while the win is expected to raise the profile of the Japanese speedster.
Earlier, another Filipino prospect and former two division world champion Marlon Tapales was pitted against ex world super bantamweight titlist Yukinori Oguni and also lost on points.
The bout came as a surprise to many Filipino fans because they know that Tapales has been waiting in the wings for a possible title crack if undisputed world champion and former opponent Naoya Inoue moves up and vacates his titles. Report after the fight said that with the win, Oguni has emerged as the top aspirant to fight for any title Inoue would leave behind.
Sadly, even iconic Filipino boxing legend Nonito Donaire was not spared from this nefarious practice in Japan.
Barely two months after a grueling battle against comebacking regular champion (formerly in recess due to injuries) Seiya Tsutsumi which he closely lost, Donaire was hastily pitted against a dangerous KO artist Riku Masuda last April.
The hard punching Masuda stopped Donaire after flooring him a number of times in the earlier rounds. Reports said with the victory, Masuda would be fighting fellow Japanese Daigo Higa for an interim world belt next.
Japanese promoters had earlier tried the same trick on another Filipino boxing icon Johnriel Casimero but with limited success.
Casimero was pitted against Yukinori Oguni in a fight that ended in a controversial technical draw. However Casimero lost by unanimous decision to Ryonosuke Kameda in a fight where the Japanese did more running than fighting. Luckily the loss hardly affected Johnriel's stature nor raised the profile of Kameda.
Suspiciously, Japanese promoters have used Filipino fighters in high profile matches against visiting rated foreign boxers who were seen as threats to their own boxers. As in the case of Kenneth Llover who was ranged against a tall American stylist Angeletti in a supposed IBF title eliminator. Llover lost by close decision in a fight that under normal situation should have been assigned to a Japanese fighter instead of Llover who being the current OPBF bantamweight champion should be going for the WBC crown (presently held by Japanese Takuma Inoue).
But very recently, this tactic seemed to boomerang on local promoters as Casimero won his assignment against the once dreaded Mexican Luis Nery by smashing TKO raising once again the interest on a possible fight between Casimero and Naoya Inoue.
Nevertheless the GAB should look into this disturbing situation of Filipino fighters in Japan for possible corrective measures.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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