Vayson to defend WBO Asia Pacific title in Japan

TRIPLE world-ranked Jayson “Striker” Vayson of Agusan del Sur will defend his WBO Asia Pacific light flyweight title against undefeated Japanese Takeru Inoue on April 21 at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka, Japan.

The 25-year-old Vayson will be making his first title-defense since he took the belt from Ryuya Yamanaka of Japan by a 2nd round technical knockout last December 17, 2023 at the Portopia Hotel in Kobe.

Vayson, who is managed by Brico Santig, will also be risking his three world ranks – no. 3 in International Boxing Federation (IBF), no. 9 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and no. 11 in the World Boxing Association (WBA).

“I still don’t want to comment now, as long as I train well so that I can prepare for my fight,” said Vayson, who is training with Coach Alan Alegria at the Highland Boxing Gym in Benguet.

Vayson, who is still at 54 kilos, is sparring with unbeaten ABF light flyweight champion John Michael “Striker” Zulueta (16-0-3, 9KOs) and undefeated Elmar “Samurai” Zamora (6-0, 4KOs).

Vayson now has 11 wins with six knockouts, one loss and one draw while Inoue only has four wins with two knockouts.

Inoue, 25, has won two fights last year including against Orlie “D’Kalibre” Silvestre of Davao City by a technical decision last April 16 at Sumiyoshi Ward Centre in Osaka.

The promoter is Takashi Edagawa of Muto Promotions.