Kenneth Llover looks to close out 2025 with OPBF title defense

Filipino rising star Kenneth Llover aims to close out his breakout year in emphatic fashion when he squares off against China’s Ayati Sailike on December 27 at the Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Japan.

The 22-year-old prospect will defend his OPBF bantamweight title, marking his fourth ring appearance in 2025.

“This is my last fight of the year, and I want nothing less than an impressive performance to defend my OPBF bantamweight title,” Llover said in a statement.

Llover is coming off a dominant showing in October, when he knocked out Argentina’s Luciano Baldor in the first round to push his record to a spotless 16-0. All three of his victories this year have come by stoppage.

His mentor, former two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa, believes the Caviteño is getting close to a world title opportunity, especially with key spots in the IBF bantamweight rankings currently vacant. “But first, we have to overcome the test in front of us. He is not an opponent we can overlook,” Peñalosa cautioned.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News