[1] Yang did not start with a notable amateur pedigree as was the case for many Chinese fighters.
In his following fight with Elly Ray, he won the relatively new WBO China Zone lightweight title via an eighth round technical knockout.
[2] In 2014 he stopped Sukkasem Kietyongyuth in eight rounds to win the WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title.
[3] Later that year he moved up to the light welterweight division and stopped Thai veteran Fahsai Sakkreerin to win the IBF Pan Pacific light 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 IBF light welterweight title against long time veteran César Cuenca, suffering his first professional defeat via unanimous decision in a fight where both fighters suffered knockdowns.