Antonio Vargas was floored for the third consecutive fight but produced a last-gasp knockdown to retain his WBA bantamweight world title with a 12-round unanimous draw against Daigo Higa.

Immediately afterwards during his post-fight interview, the injured Seiya Tsutsumi - promoted to champion in recess through injury - respectfully called for a unification of the titles.

Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) would've liked a more conclusive ending to his maiden championship defence, though had to settle for the same outcome Tsutsumi (12-0-3, 8 KOs) endured five months earlier and it could've been a rough flight home to Florida.

Instead though, the 28-year-old finished strong after a slow-burning start to the second of the day's world championship tripleheader streamed live on DAZN from Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama, Japan. Higa (21-3-3, 19 KOs) and the hunt for championship gold continues.

A slow-and-steady pace was the name of the game for Vargas, boxing astutely during a measured opening three rounds. Yet the defending champion suddenly was in recovery mode on the canvas by a big left hook early in the fourth as he threw a combination.

Higa whipped power punches and dug downstairs as Vargas sought to regain his composure again, responding well enough to keep the home favourite honest with his output rather than prematurely emptying the tank.

The 11-year pro landed a lovely shot to the champion's ribcage early in round five, varying his attacks intently at short-range as Vargas' discipline was being tested the longer their encounter advanced.

Early in the sixth, Higa had the crowd baying for more after landing one and two-punch flurries to the body, straying low but not being deterred from that steady diet of work as Vargas was busier behind his jab and economically let his hands go.

As they entered the second-half, Vargas continued banking rounds and appeared a step faster than Higa with his entries. Right on cue then, the older man pitched a better ninth round by making it messier at close-range and unloading stronger for it.

A beautiful left hook late in the tenth connected flush on the champion, who tied up wherever possible to nullify any chance of a follow-up assault.

Both were feeling the pace and an exhausting final stanza was edged by the away fighter, connecting clean with a two-punch counter flurry that initially didn't look that damaging - but a delayed reaction had Higa on his haunches and was correctly scored a knockdown.

Higa spoke in the build-up about a need to produce against an aggressive fighter, and will feel an agonising sense of regret he couldn't get the job done with his former foe - as well as RING and WBC/IBF champion Junto Nakatani - sat side-by-side watching on.