The World Boxing Association Championship Committee has officially designated Japan’s Seiya Tsutsumi as “champion in recess” following a thorough review of his documented medical condition. As a result, interim titleholder Antonio Vargas has been elevated to full WBA world bantamweight champion. Vargas is 21-1 including the World Series of Boxing and fights out of Florida. Tsutsumi has been sidelined and unable to train or compete since early 2025 due to health issues, preventing him from fulfilling his mandatory defense against Vargas. On May 6, 2025, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions formally notified the WBA that Tsutsumi is medically unfit to proceed with the bout. After careful evaluation of the medical documentation in accordance with WBA rules C.22 through C.24, the Committee reached its decision to preserve the integrity of the championship landscape. Tsutsumi is now required to submit a certified medical report detailing his treatment plan, rehabilitation, and projected return to the ring by August 2025. That report will be reviewed by the WBA Medical Committee.

MARCH 27, 2025: The WBA Championship Committee has ordered a mandatory showdown for the bantamweight title between reigning champion Seiya Tsutsumi and interim titleholder Antonio Vargas, the division’s official challenger. The WBA issued the formal notice to both camps this Wednesday, granting them a thirty-day negotiation window that began on March 25th and will run until April 25th. According to Championship Rule C.10, as reigning champion, Tsustsumi must defend his title against the next available mandatory challenger within 120 days of winning the belt. Tsutsumi claimed the WBA bantamweight crown on October 12th, meaning his mandatory defense deadline passed on January 11th of this year. As a result, his next bout must be against Vargas. Both teams must now enter negotiations to finalize the fight. If an agreement isn’t reached within the thirty-day timeframe, the WBA Championship Committee reserves the right to send the bout to a purse bid. Tsutsumi, from Japan is 12-0-3. His last fight was a draw in February against Daigo Higa, a former flyweight title holder. Vargas, who fights out of Florida, is 19-1 and coming off a December stoppage win over previously undefeated Winston Guerrero.

DEC. 14, 2024:  Florida bantamweight Antonio Vargas stopped Winston Guerrero to claim the WBA interim title on a show held at the WBA Convention in Orlando's Caribe Royale Hotel. The 28-year old won in the tenth round. Vargas knocked down the Nicaraguan Guerrero in the first round, but then experienced difficulties in the second round when Guerrero scored a knockdown of his own. However, Vargas recovered and work little by little to win each round more convincingly. Finally, he overwhelmed his opponent so that the referee stopped the action. With the victory, Vargas is now 19-1 and in line to face WBA bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi of Japan. Guerrero lost his undefeated record, but still looks good on paper at 22-1.