Kazuto Ioka’s New Year’s Eve rematch with Fernando Martinez in Tokyo has been canceled. Ioka’s Shisei gym announced on Monday that Martinez, Argentina’s WBA super flyweight champion, came down with influenza, dashing hopes of a thrilling showdown just days before the event.
Fans of the little giants will be pleased and excited to hear how junior bantamweights Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka have agreed to fight a return bout on December 31st, the return filling the customary New Year’s Eve slot in Tokyo, Japan live on ESPN+ at 11 am ET.
Moments ago in Tokyo, Japan fight fans were treated to a great action fight that was unfortunately tarnished by what has to be referred to as unfathomable scoring.
On paper, two of the three main events this weekend appear to have long odds in favor of the ‘A’ side.
The 115 pound division is set to really get buzzing this summer. As fans already know, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will face reigning and defending WBC junior-bantamweight boss Juan Francisco Estrada in Phoenix on June 29.
Moments ago in Tokyo, Japan, reigning and defending WBA 115 pound champion Kazuto Ioka scored an exciting and impressive stoppage win over a game Josber Perez of Venezuela.
Kazuto Ioka didn’t want to let anybody down, and he will not do so. As Iota fans, and fans of Japanese boxing know, it has been traditional for some years now for there to be a big boxing card in Japan on New Year’s Eve, often one featuring the reigning WBA junior bantamweight champion.
Today in Japan, Kazuto Ioka, facing an overweight Joshua Franco, boxed his way to a 12 round unanimous decision win. Ioka made the decision to go ahead with the fight, a rematch of a New Year’s Eve draw between the two, despite the fact that Franco failed to make weight by some margin, this by over six pounds.
There’s missing weight and there’s missing weight. It’s been reported how, ahead of tomorrow’s eagerly anticipated return fight between junior-bantamweights Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco, Franco failed to make the 115 pound limit – by over six pounds!
Earlier today in Japan, 115 pound champions Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco boxed to a 12 round draw, with both men keeping hold of their respective titles.