An all-Filipino showdown is set to take place in Japan as Japan-based Mark Vicelles faces Carlo Diaz VII for the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light-flyweight title on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Act City in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka.
Vicelles Aims for Redemption
The 30-year-old Vicelles, currently unranked, is working his way back into the world rankings after setbacks. He was once ranked as high as No. 4 by the International Boxing Federation (IBF), No. 6 by the World Boxing Council (WBC), and No. 8 by the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Vicelles fought in an IBF light-flyweight world title eliminator but lost to Regie Suganob by technical decision in Bohol in 2023. Since moving to Japan last year, he has a 1-1 record, outclassing Xiang Li by unanimous decision but losing to Kosuke Tomioka by seventh-round stoppage. Winning the OPBF belt is likely to earn him a WBC world ranking.
Diaz Seeks Consistency
Diaz, 27, had an inconsistent start to his career but has won four of his last five bouts. He recently defeated Joperson Trazo by unanimous decision. Vicelles holds a record of 20-2-1 with 11 knockouts, while Diaz is 8-3-1 with one knockout.
Undercard Action
Also on the card, journeyman Eduardo Mancito faces 21-year-old Japanese prospect Fuga Uematsu in a six-round bout. Mancito aims to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to Romer Pinili, while Uematsu is coming off a split decision loss to Taiga Toyonaga. Mancito has a record of 22-18-2 with 10 knockouts, and Uematsu is 7-2 with five knockouts.
