Bookmakers made Riku Masuda a big favorite against Daigo Higa when they come head-to-head in their clash on Monday 20th July 2026 at Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan.
He is currently 1/6 (-590) to win the clash outright, while you can get 7/2 (+350) on Daigo Higa if you fancy the big upset.
That means that oddsmakers think there is 80% chance of Masuda winning while giving Higa a 20% chance.
Masuda opened as the favorite at 1/6 (-590).
Higa opened at 7/2 (+350).
The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds in the Bantamweight division, which means both fighters will have to make the weight limit of 118 pounds (8.26 stones or 53.64 kg) on the day of the weigh-in.
Masuda vs Higa Head To Head
Riku Masuda steps into the ring with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss, and 0 draws, 9 of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Daigo Higa will make his way to the ring with a record of 21 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws, with 19 of those wins by knockout.
The stats suggest that Masuda and Higa have similar power, both with a 90% knockout percentage.
Riku Masuda is the younger man by 2 years, at 28 years old.
Masuda has a height advantage of 3 inches over Higa. This also extends to a 5-inch reach advantage.
Riku Masuda fights out of the southpaw stance, while Daigo Higa is an orthodox fighter.
Masuda is the less experienced professional fighter, having had 16 fewer fights, and made his debut in 2022, 8 years later than Higa, whose first professional fight was in 2014. He has fought 109 fewer professional rounds, totaling 51 compared to Higa's 160.
Riku Masuda goes into the fight ranked number 1 by the WBA, 3 by the WBC, 1 by the WBO, 4 by the IBF, and 6 by The Ring at bantamweight.
Daigo Higa is currently ranked number 2 by the WBA, 11 by the WBO, and 5 by The Ring in the 118lb division.
Masuda vs Higa betting form
Daigo Higa has stopped 2 of his last 5 opponents.
In his last fight, he drew Antonio Vargas on July 30, 2025 in the 12th round in their WBA World Bantamweight championship fight at Yokohama Buntai, Yokohama, Japan. He was a 2/5 (-250) favorite going into the fight.
Prior to that, he had drawn with Seiya Tsutsumi on February 24, 2025 in their 12 round contest at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku. He was a 5/2 (+250) underdog going into the fight.
Going into that contest, he had been beaten by Yoshiki Takei on September 3, 2024, by unanimous decision in their WBO World Bantamweight championship fight at Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku. He was a 3/1 (+300) underdog going into the fight.
Before that, he had beaten Nawaphon Kaikanha on December 31, 2023, by knockout in the 4th round at Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.
He had won against Yuki Strong Kobayashi on December 31, 2020, by knockout in the 5th round at Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo.
Who's been more active?
Masuda's last 4 fights have come over a period of 2 years, 10 months and 20 days, which means he has been fighting approximately every 8 months and 20 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 24 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 6 rounds on average.
Higa's last 5 fights have come over a period of 5 years, 6 months and 19 days, meaning he has been fighting on average every 1 year, 1 month and 9 days. In those fights, he fought a total of 45 rounds, meaning that they have lasted 9 rounds on average.
What’s the Latest Time I Can Bet on Masuda vs Higa Pre Fight?
The fighters are expected to ringwalk at around 12:00 PM UTC at Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan, which is 8:00 AM EST or 5:00 AM PST on the West Coast of America, or 1:00 PM BST in the UK.
