Fans Deserve the Seiya Tsutsumi vs Daigo Higa Rematch Next
Seiya Tsutsumi is coming off what is arguably the most high-profile victory of his career. Yet for many devoted followers of boxing’s lower-weight divisions, the fight they most want to see next for the 29-year-old champion is a rematch with former world flyweight titleholder Daigo Higa.
In his most recent outing, Tsutsumi (13-0-3, 8 KOs) successfully retained the WBA bantamweight title via split decision, edging future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire (43-9, 28 KOs) by scores of 117-111 and 115-113. After a tentative opening stretch, Tsutsumi rallied strongly in the second half of the fight. Donaire remained competitive and dangerous through the final bell, but Tsutsumi’s youth, power, and superior work-rate ultimately proved decisive.
Following that grueling victory, there has been growing momentum within Japanese boxing circles for Tsutsumi to revisit unfinished business with Higa (21-3-3, 19 KOs). The two met in February 2025 in what was an unforgettable, all-action battle that ended in a draw, leaving fans and pundits alike convinced that a definitive outcome is still needed.
A rematch would not only provide closure to one of the division’s most thrilling recent fights, but also serve as a meaningful domestic showdown between two of Japan’s elite lower-weight fighters—one that could further solidify Tsutsumi’s reign while giving Higa a chance at redemption.
Be the first to comment