Daigo Higa


Daigo Higa is a Japanese professional boxer who held the WBC flyweight title from 2017 to 2018.

Amateur career

Higa turned pro at the age of 18, after a brief amateur career where he accrued a 36-8 record.

Professional career

Higa's manager is Boxing Hall of Fame member Yoko Gushiken. Higa made his professional debut on June 2014, defeating Saengkeng Saknarong by technical knockout less than a minute into the first round. He won his first title by stopping previously undefeated Thai fighter Kongfah CP Freshmart in 7 rounds to claim the WBC Youth flyweight title. He went on to defend that title twice before claiming the OPBF flyweight belt against Filipino gatekeeper Ardin Diale. Higa broke down and battered Diale with body shots, eventually stopping him in round 4.
On 2017, Higa won a world championship in his first try, defeating Juan Hernández by technical knockout to become the WBC flyweight title. Hernández had won the title earlier that year against Nawaphon Por Chokchai and was scheduled to make his first defense against Higa. However, he lost his belt at the scales due to coming in over the weight limit. Higa dominated Hernández, dropping him five times over the course over the fight before the referee finally stopped the contest. With the win, Higa became Okinawa's first boxing world champion since Akinobu Hiranaka. After becoming a world champion, Higa said his goals were facing WBA champion Kazuto Ioka in a flyweight unification bout and breaking Japan's record of 15 consecutive knockouts.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
16Loss15–1 Cristofer RosalesTKO9 04-15-2018 Yokohama Arena, YokohamaLost WBC flyweight title on scales
15Win15–0 Moisés FuentesKO1 02-04-2018 Prefectural Budokan, NahaRetained WBC flyweight title
14Win14–0 Thomas MassonTKO7 10-22-2017 Ryōgoku Kokugikan, TokyoRetained WBC flyweight title
13Win13–0 Juan HernándezTKO6 05-20-2017 Ariake Coliseum, TokyoWon vacant WBC flyweight title
12Win12–0 Diomel DiocosTKO4 02-04-2017 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
11Win11–0 Felipe Cagubcob Jr.KO4 11-05-2016 Korakuen Hall, TokyoRetained OPBF flyweight title
10Win10–0 Ardin DialeKO4 07-02-2016 Korakuen Hall, TokyoWon OPBF flyweight title
9Win9–0 Romel OliverosKO2 04-05-2016 Korakuen Hall, TokyoRetained WBC Youth flyweight title
8Win8–0 Renren TesorioTKO10 11-07-2015 Korakuen Hall, TokyoRetained WBC Youth flyweight title
7Win7–0 Kongfah CP FreshmartKO7 07-24-2015 Siam Paradise Entertainment Centre, BangkokWon vacant WBC Youth flyweight title
6Win6–0 Cris AlfanteKO4 06-08-2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
5Win5–0 Virden RiveraKO2 05-10-2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
4Win4–0 Pongpayu ChaiyonggymTKO2 01-12-2015 Culture Center, Hongcheon
3Win3–0 Keisuke FujjiTKO1 11-26-2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
2Win2–0 Rotthang Wor Por SrisaketTKO2 08-22-2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
1Win1–0 Saengkeng SaknarongTKO1 06-17-2014 Korakuen Hall, TokyoProfessional debut