FORMER world title contender Dave Apolinario returns to Japan and slugs it out with Chinese boxer Longyi Hu in an eight-round bout on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
The 26-year-old Apolinario is on the comeback trail after failing to win a world title last year. He fought Angel Ayala for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title and lost by a sixth-round knockout in Mexico.
After his loss to Ayala, Apolinario bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over journeyman Jenny Boy Boca.
Apolinario, once highly-rated, is now only ranked by the World Boxing Council (WBC) at No. 17.
Hu, on the other hand, has seen his fair share of Filipino opponents.
In 2023, the 25-year-old Chinese warrior lost to Angilou Dalogdog by a close split decision in a World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Asia-Pacific flyweight title fight in Bohol. He then faced Dennis Endar in Vietnam the following year and settled for a majority draw.
Hu is coming off a fourth-round stoppage of Mongolian boxer Orkhontungalag Unubold late last year in South Korea.
Apolinario weighed in at 111.7 pounds, while Hu tipped the scale at 112.8 pounds.
Apolinario is 21-1 with 14 knockouts, while Hu is 8-2-2 with four knockouts. / EKA