Antonio Vargas Embraces Underdog Role Ahead of Japan Title Defense Antonio Vargas is unfazed by the odds—and fully confident that he will return home with his WBA bantamweight world title, even as bookmakers cast doubt on his chances. The reigning 118-pound titleholder is preparing for his first title defense in hostile territory, as he travels to Japan to face former world champion Daigo Higa on July 30 at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama. Despite holding the belt, Vargas enters the bout as the underdog, with oddsmakers favoring the hometown challenger. Fuelled by the Challenge Rather than being discouraged, Vargas welcomes the challenge of fighting abroad. “Going into another man’s backyard just fires me up,” said Vargas, a 2016 U.S. Olympian based in Kissimmee, Florida. “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. “This isn’t just about boxing—it’s about belief, preparation, and heart. Those things travel wherever I go.” Vargas carries a professional record of 19-1 (11 KOs), while Tokyo native Higa enters at 21-3-2 (19 KOs). Though Higa is favored, Vargas remains undeterred. From Florida Staple to World Champion Vargas captured a version of the WBA bantamweight title with a tenth-round stoppage of unbeaten Winston Guerrero on December 13 at Caribe Royale in Orlando. The venue has been home to the majority of his recent fights, all promoted by Boxlab Promotions. His status was later elevated to full WBA champion when previous titleholder Seiya Tsutsumi was sidelined by injury and unable to fulfill his mandatory defense. “We couldn’t be prouder of Antonio,” said Boxlab Promotions president Amaury Piedra. “Defending a world title in Japan against a dangerous contender like Higa—that’s what true warriors do.” A Familiar Rivalry Thread The matchup carries an added layer of intrigue. Tsutsumi and Higa battled to a punishing 12-round draw earlier this year in Tokyo, a fight that indirectly set the stage for Vargas’ reign. Higa, a former WBCP flyweight champion, has come close to bantamweight gold in recent outings, including a narrow loss to undefeated WBO champion Yoshiki Takei. His recent performances have convinced many observers that he is primed for another title run. Faith Over Fear Vargas insists that his confidence stems from more than just preparation or momentum. The 28-year-old credits his faith as the foundation of his mindset. “My relationship with Jesus Christ has kept me grounded and focused,” Vargas said. “I don’t walk into the ring alone—my faith walks in with me. That’s why I’m ready for anything.” Embracing the Road This bout marks Vargas’ first professional fight outside North America, though the change of scenery does not concern him. In fact, his lone career loss came at home—a first-round knockout defeat in Kissimmee in 2019. Outside of two early-career bouts in Puerto Rico and Miami, Vargas has spent most of his career fighting in Central Florida. He believes destiny now calls for his biggest win to come abroad. “I’m blessed to be in this position,” Vargas said. “Defending a world title in another country, on this kind of stage—it’s a dream. Winning this fight means legacy. It means reaching the elite level. And I’m coming to claim it.” Stakes at the Highest Level A victory in Yokohama would firmly establish Antonio Vargas as a true world-level force in the bantamweight division. Against a proven and dangerous opponent, the champion is determined to silence doubters and prove that his reign is just beginning.
Lewis Crocker is set to make a highly anticipated return to Windsor Park next spring, where he will stage a voluntary defence of his IBF world welterweight title in front of his home fans. The Belfast native captured the vacant IBF belt in September, edging rival Paddy Donovan via split decision in a dramatic encounter staged at Northern Ireland’s national football stadium. The bout was contested in front of a sold-out crowd and marked Crocker’s biggest career achievement to date. Historic Night at Windsor Park Crocker vs. Donovan was more than just a world title fight—it represented boxing’s long-awaited return to Windsor Park for the first time since Carl Frampton’s victory over Luke Jackson in August 2018. The event reaffirmed the stadium’s status as a premier venue for major boxing occasions in Northern Ireland. The September clash also served as a rematch of the pair’s controversial March meeting, which ended in Donovan’s disqualification. This time, Crocker left no doubt, using key knockdowns and ring control to secure the championship on the scorecards. Defence Date and Future Plans It is understood that Crocker’s first title defence is being targeted for 11 April, with his opponent expected to be officially confirmed within the next two weeks. The unbeaten champion enters the bout with a flawless professional record of 22 wins from 22 fights. A successful defence would likely see Crocker return to action again in late summer, as his team looks to keep him active during his championship reign. Benn Talk and Title Ambitions Crocker has been outspoken about his ambition to secure high-profile fights, most notably against Conor Benn. Benn recently scored a commanding victory over long-time rival Chris Eubank Jr in their rematch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 15 November, further raising his profile. Speaking earlier to BBC Sport NI, Crocker’s manager Jamie Conlan identified Benn and WBCP welterweight champion Mario Barrios as potential future opponents for the 28-year-old champion. However, Benn has since played down the possibility, stating this week that Crocker is “not really a name that is on my radar.” Despite this, Crocker remains firmly focused on establishing himself as a leading force in the welterweight division.
Devin Haney is wasting no time in plotting the next move of his already decorated career, with a potential welterweight unification clash against IBF champion Lewis Crocker now firmly on the table. Just weeks after capturing the WBO welterweight title by defeating Brian Norman, Haney and his team have made it clear that unification is the priority. Speaking to promoter Eddie Hearn, Haney’s father and trainer, Bill Haney, outlined the vision. “He wants to fight Lewis Crocker, our welterweight champion. It’s a unification fight,” Hearn told reporters. Haney’s Statement Win in Riyadh Haney’s victory over Norman on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, stands as one of the defining moments of his career. Entering the bout as an underdog for the first time as a professional, Haney silenced doubts with a composed and dominant performance. After scoring a knockdown in the second round, Haney went on to control the fight and secure a unanimous decision victory, beginning a title reign in his third weight division. The win improved his record to 33-0 (15 KOs) and reinforced his reputation as one of boxing’s most technically sound fighters. According to Hearn, Haney’s focus has now shifted toward collecting more belts. Crocker’s Rise to World Champion Lewis Crocker enters the conversation fresh off the biggest victory of his career. The unbeaten Northern Irish fighter captured the vacant IBF welterweight title on September 13, edging Paddy Donovan by split decision in a highly competitive bout. In what many viewed as a true 50–50 fight, Crocker made the difference by scoring two knockdowns, improving his professional record to 22-0 (11 KOs). At 28 years old, Crocker is just beginning his reign at world level and has expressed interest in high-profile matchups. While Crocker has previously mentioned domestic rivals such as Conor Benn as potential opponents, a unification bout with Haney would represent a major step onto the global stage. Benn Also in the Mix Hearn is also keeping a close eye on Conor Benn’s position in the welterweight landscape. Benn recently secured a notable win over Chris Eubank at middleweight, and the promoter believes a return to 147 pounds could be imminent. With the WBCP naming Benn its mandatory welterweight challenger, a title opportunity is expected in 2026. However, Hearn has not ruled out alternative paths, including Haney versus Crocker. “We’ll see,” Hearn said. “We’re not against the idea.” A High-Stakes Unification Opportunity A Haney vs. Crocker showdown would pit one of boxing’s most accomplished champions against a newly crowned, undefeated titleholder hungry to prove himself. With multiple storylines converging at welterweight, the division appears poised for major unification bouts in the near future. For Devin Haney, the goal is clear: continue collecting belts and cement his legacy. For Lewis Crocker, the opportunity to face an elite, pound-for-pound star could define his championship reign.
Former IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas finds himself at a critical crossroads in his career as he prepares to step back into the ring this Saturday at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. After months of uncertainty and stalled plans, the Filipino southpaw will face Uruguayan contender Ruben Dario Casero in an eight-round junior featherweight bout that could determine his future at the world-title level. A Camp Marked by Uncertainty Ancajas, a native of Panabo City, Philippines, has spent the past three months training in the United States, splitting time between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Initially, the 33-year-old expected to compete on the undercard of the highly anticipated Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios showdown scheduled for July 19. However, repeated rejections of proposed opponents by the Nevada State Athletic Commission forced Ancajas and his team to look elsewhere. One of those rejected opponents was Casero, though promoter Sean Gibbons, president of MP Promotions, noted that California regulators approved the matchup almost immediately. “He was approved in two seconds by California,” Gibbons said. “Sometimes that’s just how boxing works.” A Dangerous Assignment Casero enters the fight with a record of 13-4 (5 KOs) and may not appear to be a marquee name on paper, but he is regarded as a rugged and durable competitor. The 32-year-old has been stopped only once in his career—a first-round TKO loss in 2018—while his other defeats came via lopsided decision, including his lone U.S. appearance against Jorge Chavez last December. “Very tough, durable guy, Ruben,” Gibbons said. “I believe he’ll give Jerwin good rounds.” Ancajas, now 36-4-2 (24 KOs), admits he has not studied Casero extensively but remains confident in his preparation. “I haven’t seen his style, but for sure he’s a good boxer,” Ancajas said. “I’m ready for whatever he does in the ring this coming Friday.” Everything on the Line For Ancajas, this bout represents far more than a tune-up fight. After reigning as IBF champion at 115 pounds from 2016 to 2021—with nine successful title defenses—his career momentum stalled following a ninth-round stoppage loss to Takuma Inoue in a WBA bantamweight title fight in February 2024. Now campaigning at 122 pounds, Ancajas has won two straight and says the move up in weight has rejuvenated him. “I feel much stronger at 122,” Ancajas said. “Before, it was hard for me to make weight.” Gibbons believes the stakes could not be higher. “This fight means everything,” he said. “It’s all or nothing. Jerwin needs to win, and if he does, we’re looking at a world title fight next.” World Title Picture Ancajas is currently ranked inside the top 10 at junior featherweight by the WBO, IBF, and WBA, positioning him well for a potential interim or full world-title opportunity. With undisputed champion Naoya Inoue holding all four major belts, mandatory obligations are expected to create openings across the sanctioning bodies. “At 33, he doesn’t have time to waste,” Gibbons said. “But with a win here, he could be next in line for an IBF or WBA title fight.” Ancajas is fully aware of what lies ahead. “I want to become world champion again,” he said. “I’m always in the gym, always getting ready for a big fight.” Outlook Saturday’s bout may lack the glamour of a title fight, but for Jerwin Ancajas, it could serve as the gateway back to boxing’s elite level. A strong performance against Casero would reaffirm his standing in a stacked junior featherweight division—and prove that the former champion still has plenty left to offer on the world stage. About the Author Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice, and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
The IBF has ordered a junior-featherweight elimination bout between former world champions Jerwin Ancajas and Ryosuke Nishida to determine its mandatory challenger to Naoya Inoue. In a letter this week to representatives of both fighters, IBF Championships Chairman George Martinez said negotiations between Japan’s former bantamweight champion Nishida 10-1 (2 KOs) and Philippines’ former super-flyweight champion Ancajas 37-4-2 (24 KOs) should conclude by September 23. If as deal is not finalized by then, a purse bid will be ordered. Pacheco’s Missing Weapon? “The Bud Light of Mbilli” Take & Why Canelo Has No Belts, No Limits Diego Pacheco keeps winning — but after the weekend, the real conversation isn’t about the result. It’s about the level of resistance. A sharp line summed it up best: Pacheco’s opponent was the “Bud Light of Christian Mbilli.” A comparison that immediately raises questions about testing, development, and what Pacheco still needs to unlock before facing true elite opposition. Monday | Dec 15, 2025 DETAILS Ranked No. 5 in the IBF, Ancajas is coming off an August 2 majority decision victory over Ruben Dario Casero in Long Beach, California, while Nishida lost his IBF bantamweight belt to unbeaten unified champion Juntio Nakatani by TKO after five rounds June 8 in Japan. Nishida is currently ranked No. 8 by the IBF among 122lbs fighters. Undisputed champion Naoya Inoue will defend his belts Monday morning U.S. time versus former unified champion Murodjan “M.J.” Akhmadaliev in Japan. Akhmadaliev is the WBA mandatory challenger. If victorious, Inoue is expected to fight his WBCP mandatory challenger David Alan Picasso in December in Saudi Arabia before a planned showdown with Nakatani in 2026. Lance Pugmire is BoxingScene’s senior U.S. writer and an assistant producer for ProBox TV. Pugmire has covered boxing since the early 2000s, first at the Los Angeles Times and then at The Athletic and USA Today. He won the Boxing Writers’ Association of America’s Nat Fleischer Award in 2022 for career excellence.
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz successfully retained his WBCP interim super-lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr., further intertwining the careers of three elite fighters who know each other all too well inside the ring. Cruz and Roach fought to a hard-fought draw, echoing Roach’s earlier stalemate with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, while Cruz previously came up short against Davis in their December 2021 showdown. With Davis having not competed since his bout with Roach nine months ago, a potential three-way collision involving Cruz, Roach, and Davis in 2026 remains a realistic possibility should Davis return to the sport. Known as one of boxing’s most relentless pressure fighters, Cruz has now felt the power of both Roach and the more widely feared Davis. In an interview with ESPN KnockOut, Cruz was asked to compare the punching power of the two. “They’re similar,” Cruz said. “Roach hits hard, but it’s not a punch where you think, ‘Oh no.’ It’s not shocking or devastating. He landed clean and accurate shots, but at no point did I feel hurt. On the contrary, I kept moving forward instead of backing up.” While Cruz applied constant pressure during their December 6 bout in San Antonio, Roach found success with his counter-punching, timing Cruz’s advances effectively. However, momentum briefly swung in Cruz’s favor in Round 3, when a sharp left hook sent Roach’s glove to the canvas, prompting referee James Green to issue a count. Davis, by contrast, remains renowned for his elite timing and concussive power, having scored 28 knockouts in 30 career victories. His fight with Roach was also marred by controversy, when a clear knockdown was ruled a slip by referee Steve Willis. Davis later explained he had taken a knee because hair product had run into his eyes—an explanation that sparked widespread debate. As all three fighters continue to orbit the top of the super-lightweight and lightweight divisions, unfinished business and lingering controversy suggest that future clashes could define the next chapter of their careers.
