Antonio Vargas has no doubt that he will return home with his bantamweight title, even if the oddsmakers don’t agree.
The reigning WBA 118lbs titleholder has grown accustomed to being underestimated, as he believes to be the case headed into his showdown with former titlist Daigo Higa. Vargas attempts his first defense in a dangerous road trip on July 30 at Yokohoma Buntai in Yokohama, Japan.
Tokyo’s Higa, 21-3-2 (19 KOs) is a -225 favorite according to bet 365 sportsbook, which lists Vargas, 19-1 (11 KOs) at +187 despite his status as the defending beltholder.
“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 ain’t just about boxing—it’s about showing that belief, preparation, and heart travel wherever I go.”
Vargas claimed a secondary version of the WBA bantamweight title in a tenth-round stoppage of unbeaten Winston Guerrero last December 13 at Caribe Royale Orlando. The venue has hosted his last eight bouts, through local promoter Boxlab Promotions.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Antonio,” said Boxlab Promotions president Amaury Piedra. “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.”
Vargas’ reign was upgraded to full title status when previous claimant Seiya Tsutsumi was recovering from injuries and unable to honor his mandatory title defense.
In a matchup that brings the matter full circle, Vargas has Higa to thank. Tsutsumi and Higa fought to a twelve-round draw in a brutal February 24 title fight at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
Higa previously held the WBC flyweight title and enters his third straight fight as a challenger to a bantamweight title. Prior to his stalemate with Tsutsumi, Higa fell just short to unbeaten WBO titleholder Yoshiki Takei last September 3 also at Ariake Arena.
Still, oddsmakers were impressed enough with Higa’s showing in both fights to believe that he’s too much for the visiting titlist.
So why is Vargas so confident to disprove his detractors? It’s not his vast experience on the amateur stage or even his current ten-fight unbeaten streak.
The 28-year-old insists his success is part of a higher calling.
“My relationship with Jesus Christ has kept me grounded, kept me focused,” insisted Vargas. “I don’t walk into that ring alone—my faith walks in with me. That’s why I’m ready for anything.”
The fight will mark the first outside of North America for Vargas as a pro, though the road trip is hardly bothersome. In fact, Vargas’ lone career defeat came in his Kissimmee hometown, when he suffered a first-round knockout loss in May 2019.
All but two career pro fights for Vargas has taken place in Central Florida. The two exceptions were a September 2018 win in Puerto Rico and a February 2020 decision over Juan Centeno in Miami.
He’s convinced it’s his destiny for his first pro fight abroad to provide his biggest win to date.
“I’m blessed just to be in this position,” stated Vargas. “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.”
