Yang did not start with a notable amateur pedigree as was the case for many Chinese fighters. He made his professional debut in 2007, winning the South Korealightweight title in 2012 against journeyman Jon Won Won in his ninth fight. In his following fight with Elly Ray, he won the relatively new WBO China Zonelightweight title via an eighth round technical knockout.[2]
In 2014 he stopped Sukkasem Kietyongyuth in eight rounds to win the WBOAsia Pacificlightweight title.[3] Later that year he moved up to the light welterweight division and stopped Thai veteran Fahsai Sakkreerin to win the IBF Pan Pacificlight welterweight title which he would later successfully defend against another Thai veteran, Patomsuk Pathompothong via a sixth round technical knockout in his first twelve round fight.[4][5]
On July 18, 2015 Yang fought for the vacant IBFlight welterweight title against long time veteran César Cuenca, suffering his first professional defeat via unanimous decision in a fight where both fighters suffered knockdowns.[6]
