Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Kazuto Ioka is Likely Purse Bid Bound

By Miguel Rivera

Last month, the World Championships Committee of the World Boxing Association ordered the negotiations between Juan Francisco "El Gallo" Estrada of Mexico - who holds the super champion in the flyweight division - and Kazuto Ioka of Japan - who holds the regular championship of the division.

The two sides started negotiating after July 21, once Ioka made a successful defense of belt against Nicaragua Keyvin Lara.

Estrada has held the crown at 112 pounds since 2013, when he beat Brian Viloria by way of split decision and has defended that belt five times successfully and became one of the best fighters in the division.

Meanwhile, Ioka became champion by defeating Juan Carlos Reveco by majority decision in 2015 and has successfully exposed his belt twice and retained his belt on July 20th when he stopped Lara.

"El Gallo" has a record of 33 wins, 2 losses and 24 knockouts. While Ioka has been involved in 21 fights of which he has won 20, lost one and got knockouts on 12 occasions.

The teams of both fighters were duly informed and had 30 days to reach an agreement from the 21st of this month. According to ESPN Deportes, it appears the two sides are having trouble reaching an agreement - with the fight likely heading to a purse bid.

Estrada has continued to train hard in the gym after eleven months of inactivity. Estrada has been out of the ring due to a hand injury, but now he's feeling fine and things are going well in camp. His promoters have set aside a date of October 22nd, which is tentative depending on the outcome of the Ioka negotiations.