Today’s expected great fight between Japanese stars Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka delivered. Yet, it was more a truly great performance that fans in Tokyo witnessed rather than a great fight.
Ioka, who had to survive some torrid moments against the six-year younger Tanaka, put on a sensational performance. Cool, calm, patient, looking for his spots, the 31-year-old counter-punching boxing master put Tanaka in his place in stopping him in quite surreal fashion in round-eight.
It was indeed a masterclass from a chillingly effective fighter far too many people have not even heard of. But this figures to change, and soon.
Ioka, a four-weight world champ who retained his WBO 115 pound belt today, is now looking at several fascinating options. The most mesmerizing of these options is a true Japanese super-fight – THE biggest fight in Japanese boxing history. Ioka Vs. Naoya Inoue!
Ioka, 26-2(15) – the two losses coming via tight split decisions, to Amnat Ruenroeng in 2014 and Donnie Nietes in 2018 – is currently operating three pounds lower than “The Monster,” and the possibility that these two could hook up is tantalizingly close.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wLSWDXw4bQ
Simply put, this fight would be enormous and not merely in Japan. Ioka has superb skills; we know that. But the man from Sakai also has a great chin, amazing composure, and a whole boatload of experience.
Inoue is a fantastic fighter, as we all know, far more than just a murderous puncher. Inoue has fine skills himself, and he might be getting better and better.
Inoue Vs. Ioka really would be a match-up to enthrall. Some fans might think It a step too far (or a step too high) for Ioka to go for a fifth world title in as many weight divisions, but perhaps this close to flawless technician has the tools, the brains to be able to climb his biggest mountain.
At a little over 5’4,” Ioka is not much more than a hair shorter than Inoue, so the fight is not an unrealistic teaser.
Both champions have no shortage of options for their next fight or fights, but there is something about a fight between them that sends a genuine shiver down the spine.
Imagine if Inoue and Ioka each took a fight, maybe two fights this year, with both men keeping a clean sheet, and then – brace yourself: Inoue Vs. Ioka in Japan on New Year’s Eve 2021! How awesome would that be?
Inoue, 20-0(17), has won titles at light-fly, super-fly, and bantamweight. Ioka has captured belts at minimumweight, light-fly, flyweight, and super-flyweight. Both fantastic fighters deserve to be on everybody’s pound-for-pound list.
Together, Ioka and Inoue could give their country and the world something extraordinary in 2021.