YAP TO DEFEND OPBF BANTAM CROWN ON JULY 30

DAVAO CITY – Reigning Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Mark John “The Journey Man” Yap of Cagayan de Oro City will be defending his title against Japanese challenger Kentaro Masuda on July 30 at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka, Japan.
The 28-year old Yap, who is now based in Osaka, is making his first title defense after dethroning Takahiro Yamamoto via a 5th round technical knockout last November 11 at the Central Gym in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
Yap currently has 26 wins with 12 knockouts against 12 defeats and no draw while Masuda is 27-7-0, 15 KOs.
The 34-year old Masuda, who is also the present Japanese bantamweight champion, has scored four knockouts in his last six victories.
Masuda previously stopped Filipino boxer Romel Oliveros via a first round TKO last April 13 at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.