Daigo Higa

Daigo Higa, born August 9, 1995, in Urasoe, Okinawa, Japan, is a professional boxer competing in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions, the 5-foot-4-inch fighter held the WBC flyweight title from 2017 to 2018, setting a Japanese record with 15 consecutive knockout victories.

Growing up in Urasoe, a city deeply rooted in Okinawa’s boxing culture, Higa was influenced by the legacy of former world champion Yoko Gushiken. Okinawa, known for its martial arts traditions, shaped Higa’s approach to combat, blending the toughness of its boxing scene with an almost philosophical dedication to discipline and technique. A student of the sport beyond Japan, Higa has immersed himself in various combat disciplines, even incorporating elements of kung fu into his training. His deep understanding of boxing’s global styles, combined with his Okinawan warrior spirit, defines him as more than just a power puncher - he is a true student of the game.

Higa’s amateur career consisted of 44 fights, with 36 wins and 8 losses, demonstrating his potential early on. Turning professional at 18, he quickly gained a reputation for his finishing ability. In May 2017, he captured the WBC flyweight title with a sixth-round TKO over Juan Hernández. However, after multiple successful defenses, he was stripped of the belt in 2018 for failing to make weight.

On February 24, 2025, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Daigo Higa faced WBA bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi. The bout concluded in a unanimous draw, with all three judges scoring it 114-114, allowing Tsutsumi to retain his title. This match was a rematch of their 2020 encounter, which also ended in a draw.

On September 3, 2024, Higa faced Yoshiki Takei for the WBO bantamweight title, losing by a close unanimous decision. Despite the defeat, the two fighters developed a strong mutual respect, with Takei and his team forming close bonds with Higa.

Higa is a fighter who embodies both cultural pride and the fierce spirit of a warrior. With his high guard and aggressive, unrelenting approach, he strikes like a force of nature, reminiscent of a powerful force awakening in the heart of Japan. When he steps into the ring, it’s as if he smacks his opponent like an old-school discipline, evoking the feeling of a warrior whose battle tactics are rooted in the principles of slipping, rolling, and clinch work. These techniques, designed to protect and destroy, reflect the refined artistry of ancient warriors. Much like the samurai, whose precision and discipline were legendary, Higa embodies these traits, shifting his body in calculated motions that allow him to slip punches, avoid attacks, and deliver counterattacks that leave little room for retaliation. He can even break his opponent by just keeping his hands up in his high Guard. Fighting Higa is waging siege to a feudal castle many will not even make it past his primary defense.

In the ring, Higa is not just a boxer; he is a phoenix. Much like the mythic bird that rises from the ashes, he burns through each round with fiery intensity, yet always finds a way to regenerate and evolve. Higa represents the new era of Japanese boxing—a rebirth and revitalization of an old tradition in a modern context. His style blends technical mastery with raw power, creating a fighter who is as dangerous on the offensive as he is defensively adept. His presence in the ring is a tribute to the resilience and pride of Japan, marking him as one of the cultural icons in the world of boxing.

Every punch he throws is a testament to his will and strength, and just as the sun rises in the East, millions of eyes are drawn to watch him battle, observing his transformation into a new icon of boxing. Higa is helping lead the charge for Japan in boxing’s global landscape, continuing a legacy that has inspired generations.