YOKOHAMA, Japan -- If you're hoping to see Daigo Higa (15-0, 15 KOs) continue his knockout streak you'll have to get up very early. Higa fights on April 15, early in the morning on ESPN2 against Cristofer Rosales (26-3, 17 KOs). Not only will Higa's perfect record be on the line in this fight but also his WBC flyweight title.
At just 22 years old Higa has already impressed with his power. Higa is an orthodox fighter with a quick jab he often doubles up. What makes him so dangerous is his ability to throw a barrage of punches from varied angles with both hands. On the inside he loves to throw uppercuts and from the outside he can do damage with a right hand or a left hook he loves to bang to the body.
At just 5-feet, 3-inches Higa packs a serious punch into a tiny frame. While there is no denying his offensive talent, on defense he does have some bad habits. The most noticeable is how he often just puts on the earmuffs and waits for his opponent to stop punching before launching his own attack. Higa has mostly fought in Japan and still hasn't made a huge name for himself, but that could change if he keeps scoring knockouts every time he steps in the ring.
Rosales is also a young fighter at just 23 years old and he hails from Nicaragua, like another small fighter who became a star in Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez. This title shot is a huge opportunity for Rosales who is currently ranked as the number two contender by the WBC behind only Andrew Selby who he lost to in 2017.
One thing Rosales has going for him against Higa is the fact that he's never been stopped as a pro. Rosales works out of the orthodox stance and likes to pump a lot of jabs. He also throws a lot of right hands and at times even seems to use his right hand as a measuring stick like other fighters do with their jabs. Rosales also has a bad habit of leaning to his right when he throws his jab and that will leave him wide open for counter left hooks from Higa.
Rosales is probably going to have his hands full in this fight. He isn't exactly a huge puncher and his defensive vulnerabilities should play right into the heavy hitting hands of Higa. Higa is a serious puncher and he likes to fight in the pocket so look for him to attack the body early in an attempt to slow Rosales' legs. As for Rosales, he should look to use his long arms to stick and move so Higa can't sit down on his punches.
PREDICTION: The length and movement of Cristofer Rosales could frustrate Daigo Higa for a round or two but not much more than that. Higa is the superior fighter and he has won each of his fights by the way of knockout. That won't change come Sunday when Higa scores the knockout of Rosales in the seventh round.
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| Higa landing a devastating right hand |
At just 5-feet, 3-inches Higa packs a serious punch into a tiny frame. While there is no denying his offensive talent, on defense he does have some bad habits. The most noticeable is how he often just puts on the earmuffs and waits for his opponent to stop punching before launching his own attack. Higa has mostly fought in Japan and still hasn't made a huge name for himself, but that could change if he keeps scoring knockouts every time he steps in the ring.
Rosales is also a young fighter at just 23 years old and he hails from Nicaragua, like another small fighter who became a star in Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez. This title shot is a huge opportunity for Rosales who is currently ranked as the number two contender by the WBC behind only Andrew Selby who he lost to in 2017.
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| Rosales landing a straight right hand |
Rosales is probably going to have his hands full in this fight. He isn't exactly a huge puncher and his defensive vulnerabilities should play right into the heavy hitting hands of Higa. Higa is a serious puncher and he likes to fight in the pocket so look for him to attack the body early in an attempt to slow Rosales' legs. As for Rosales, he should look to use his long arms to stick and move so Higa can't sit down on his punches.
PREDICTION: The length and movement of Cristofer Rosales could frustrate Daigo Higa for a round or two but not much more than that. Higa is the superior fighter and he has won each of his fights by the way of knockout. That won't change come Sunday when Higa scores the knockout of Rosales in the seventh round.
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