JOURNEYMAN Marjohn Yap returns to the ring after a long layoff and faces unbeaten Cuban prospect Jadier Herrera in a World Boxing Association Asia super featherweight title fight in the main supporting bout of “People’s Fighters” boxing show on Feb. 26, 2022 at The Lawn of the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Yap steps in as a replacement for former UFC fighter and unbeaten boxer Jenel Lausa, who reportedly got injured after figuring in a motorcycle accident.
Opportunity
This is a huge opportunity for Yap, who looks to revive his boxing career after a 26-month hiatus.
“It’s already been two years since I haven’t fought,” Yap told SunStar Cebu. “I’m doing well in training. I started training last November and I’ve been training for almost four months. My movement has returned.”
The 33-year-old Yap, a former ALA Boy, last saw action on Nov. 23, 2019 in Las Vegas. He lost to undefeated up-and-comer Angel Alejandro via unanimous decision.
Former regional champ
Yap is a former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bantamweight title holder and once had an impressive run as a fighter based in Japan. He went on a 10-fight winning streak from 2015 to 2018 before losing to Naoya Inoue’s brother, Takuma Inoue, in 2018.
Yap is currently training at the MP Gym in Manila and has been sparring with Ador Torres.
Herrera, in the meantime, is a 19-year-old promising fighter. He made his pro debut in 2021 with a first round technical knockout of Medi Miiro. He won his next three fights in 2021 before winning a fourth round knockout of Pinoy veteran Eduardo Mancito last Jan. 15, 2022.
Yap is 30-15 with 15 knockouts, while Herrera is 5-0 with five knockouts.
The main event features Vince Astrolabio (16-3, 12 KOs) against two-division world champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (20-2, 13 KOs) for the World Boxing Council International bantamweight belt.