DIALE TO DEFEND OPBF TITLE VS. UNDEFEATED JAPANESE

OPBF flyweight champion Ardin Diale (left) and challenger Daigo Higa.

By LITO DELOS REYES

REIGNING Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion Ardin “The Jackal” Diale of the Philippines will defend his title against the undefeated Japanese Daigo Higa on July 2 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Diale has a record of 31 wins with 15 knockouts against 9 loses and 3 draws while Higa is still unbeaten with nine straight wins.

The 27-year old Diale, a native of Malungon, Sarangani Province, won the vacant OPBF crown by a unanimous decision win over Renoel Pael last December 2 in Mandaluyong City.

He recently retained it by a UD victory against Jonathan Francisco last February 20 at the Taguig Sports Complex in Taguig City.

Diale is also a former IBF Pan Pacific Youth flyweight, WBO Oriental flyweight and Philippine flyweight champion.

The 20-year old Higa is currently the WBC Youth World flyweight champion. Higa retained his crown in his second title-defense via a second round technical knockout win against Filipino challenger Romel Oliveros last March 5 at the Korakuen Hall.

Higa captured the vacant WBC Youth world flyweight title by knocking out then undefeated Jakkrawut Majoogoen (14-0) in the seventh round last July 24, 2015 at the Siam Paradise Entertainment Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

Higa successfully defended it via 10^th round TKO win over another Filipino challenger Renren Tesorio last November 7 in Tokyo. Higa, who was born in Urasoe, Okinawa, has won all his nine fights by knockouts.