Philippines, 26 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Filipino Lito Dante Wins OPBF Minimumweight Belt Sunday in Japan


PhilBoxing.com




Veteran Filipino warrior Lito Dante from the Paradise Island of Bohol, dominated, overpowered and knocked out in the 12th round heavy-handed Japanese champion WBC # 3 Tsubasa Koura to claim the OPBF Minimumweight Belt Sunday, March 31, in Yokohama, Japan.

The climax of the dramatic battle unfolded in the combat's last round when Lito Dante (16-10-4, 8 KO's) unleashed a series of violent unanswered right hooks over Koura (14-1, 9 KO's), sending the Nippon boxer wounded and groggy against the ropes near Koura's own red corner.

With his man hurt against the ropes, Lito Dante intensified his relentless attack, hurting the Japanese even further with more damaging blows, all of them to the head, including a brutal straight right to the jaw that forced referee Tetsuya Iida to stop the unbalanced war to spare his fellow countryman of more dangerous suffering. Official time of stoppage was 1:18 in round 12.

The clash was Tsubasa Koura's fourth defense of the green OPBF title that he captured by brutalizing and halting Filipino Jaysever Abcede in July of 2017. This time around, it was Koura the one getting pummeled and vaporized.

Lito Dante was accompanied in Yokohama, Japan, by veteran matchmaker Art Monis of Hardstone Boxing, who after the win, climbed to the ring proudly waving the glorious Filipino Flag.

The rewarding victory is Lito Dante's second consecutive win in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Boholano has fought three times in Japan, winning two, drawing one; and it is probable that he'd be back in the land of Fighting Harada to defend his newly acquired OPBF crown.

The battle of Tsubasa Koura vs Lito Dante for the OPBF Minimumweight Strap at the Osanbashi Hall in Yokohama, Japan, was a production of Reason Daiki Promotions.


The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com or whatsapp 09184538152.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • WBA/WBO Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Confirms World Title Fight with David Benavidez on Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Petecio in, Paalam out
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Takuma Inoue World Champion Again; Beats Nasukawa for Vacant WBC Belt
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 3: 1920 OLYMPIC GAMES AT ANTWERP, BELGIUM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Badenas TKO’s Saknosiwi in 10th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Las Vegas & California Amateurs Shine in a Powerful Fall Rumble Weekend Followed by a Heartfelt Turkey Drive for Local Families
    , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Santa Run Davao on December 14 at NCCC Mall Victoria Plaza
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 26 Nov 2025
  • Alec “The Rock” Del Rio Fights for WBC Asia Title Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Eumir, Weljohn put pros on hold
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Toronto Topples Cleveland, 110-99 for 8th Straight Win; Holds on to 2nd in the East
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PPP Seniors & PWD Fun Run 2025 on Dec. 13 in Talomo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES A FULL SELLOUT AND BROADCAST DETAILS AHEAD OF U.S. DEBUT EVENT THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, AT PECHANGA RESORT CASINO IN TEMECULA, CALIF.
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Tomorrow Night's CB Promotions Card at The Cure Insurance Arena in Trenton is Postponed
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • PHL bids to host WB Congress
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Joel "Lethal" Lewis talks boxing evolution and upcoming Thunderdome 52 fight this Friday in Perth
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Granite Chin Promotions signs Milton pro boxer Jenn Perella
    , Tue, 25 Nov 2025
  • Mabuhay at Salamat: ‘The Thirty’ Filipino Boxers Who Became Giants
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • World-ranked Lightweight Dynamo Justin Pauldo Collides with Hard-punching Nike Theran
    , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Fastest Pinay in IronMan 70.3 World comes from Lanao del Norte
    By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Two-time middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin confirmed as new President of World Boxing at Congress 2025 in Rome
    , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Panama City will host the World Boxing Ordinary Congress in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • Tadlas, Busayong rule 42K in 3rd SDSPPO Run for a Cause
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 24 Nov 2025
  • "The Mexican Monster" Terrorizes the 175: Benavidez Demolishes Yarde to Win WBC Light Heavyweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • Harden scores 55 points for a new LA Clippers record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025
  • Devin Haney Dominates Brian Norman Jr. to Claim WBO Welterweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 23 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.