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Franco on Ioka Unification: I've Been Off 16 Months But Always Been Ready For A Fight Like This

Franco on Ioka Unification: I've Been Off 16 Months But Always Been Ready For A Fight Like This

Jake Donovan

•Dec 29, 2022

For all the talent in his weight division, Joshua Franco always banked on landing a significant opponent for his next fight. There was a point where he thought it would be a title consolidation clash with Juan Francisco Estrada, who instead opted to vacate his version of the WBA junior bantamweight crown. The move left Franco—previously a secondary titleholder—as the lone WBA 115-pound titlist, but also without an opponent after having already not fought since last August.

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Ioka vs. Franco: The Last Dance of 2022

Ioka vs. Franco: The Last Dance of 2022

Cliff Rold

•Dec 29, 2022

In the US, the substantive boxing year is all but done but that’s only one piece of a global sports scene. Boxing’s year is never really done until Father Time hands off the baton as the clock strikes twelve. New Year’s Eve usually means at least one big card in Japan. 2022 is no different with the last of a flurry of unification clashes set to close the door on this fistic season.

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Estrada On Ioka-Franco: Whoever Wins Is Fine; Would Love To Unify Against Ioka

Estrada On Ioka-Franco: Whoever Wins Is Fine; Would Love To Unify Against Ioka

Jake Donovan

•Dec 28, 2022

The final title fight of 2022 will include Juan Francisco Estrada among the most interested observers. Mexico’s Estrada has every intention of scouting the Kazuto Ioka-Joshua Franco WBA/WBO junior bantamweight unification bout, which takes place on December 31 on TBS-Japan from Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The bout takes place four weeks after Estrada regained his WBC 115-pound title while successfully defending the division’s lineal championship following his repeat win over Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez on December 3 in Glendale, Arizona.

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Franco Warns 115-Pound Fighters: Let Me Collect This Second Belt And Then I'm Coming For The Rest!

Franco Warns 115-Pound Fighters: Let Me Collect This Second Belt And Then I'm Coming For The Rest!

Jake Donovan

•Dec 25, 2022

By Jake Donovan - Joshua Franco watched with mixed emotions from ringside as Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez threw down for a third time. Mexico’s Estrada was previously tied to a WBA title consolidation clash with San Antonio’s Franco, as the two were due to

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Franco: Boxing On New Year's Eve Big Tradition In Tokyo; Bigger Honor When I Leave As Unified Champ

Franco: Boxing On New Year's Eve Big Tradition In Tokyo; Bigger Honor When I Leave As Unified Champ

Jake Donovan

•Dec 24, 2022

The biggest fight in the career of Joshua Franco is preceded by the ultimate sacrifice. The reigning WBA junior bantamweight titlist has traveled to Tokyo, where he will face four-division and reigning WBO 115-pound champ Kazuto Ioka in their unification bout on New Year’s Eve. Franco will enter the fight following a 16-month layoff, fighting outside the country for the first time in his pro career while training through the holidays.

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Ioka Closes Out Another Boxing Year With Unification Bout Against Franco

Ioka Closes Out Another Boxing Year With Unification Bout Against Franco

Corey Erdman

•Dec 19, 2022

By Corey Erdman - There isn’t a whole lot of continuity in terms of the annual boxing calendar, but there are a few things fans know they can look forward to. In the United States, a major fight is always scheduled for Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day weekend respectively, generally featuring a major star from Mexico, but not always. However, since 2011, fans have

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Ioka-Franco Unification Clash Lands At Ota-City General Gymnasium In Tokyo On New Year's Eve

Ioka-Franco Unification Clash Lands At Ota-City General Gymnasium In Tokyo On New Year's Eve

Jake Donovan

•Nov 22, 2022

A hosting venue has been secured for the final title fight of the year. Kazuto Ioka will once again headline at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, which has landed his already confirmed December 31 junior bantamweight title unification bout with Joshua Franco. Ioka will attempt the sixth defense of his

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Ioka-Franco Winner To Next Face Junto Nakatani, Per WBO Ruling

Ioka-Franco Winner To Next Face Junto Nakatani, Per WBO Ruling

Jake Donovan

•Nov 4, 2022

A significant title defense will await whoever prevails in the final title fight of 2022. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that former WBO flyweight titlist Junto Nakatani is guaranteed to next face the winner of the December 31 WBA/WBO junior bantamweight title unification bout between Joshua Franco and Kazuto Ioka at a location to be determined in Japan. The WBO offered its blessing to Franco-Ioka on the condition that the winner next faces Nakatani by no later than the end of next June.

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Ioka-Franco Unification Approved By WBO, Set For December 31 In Japan

Ioka-Franco Unification Approved By WBO, Set For December 31 In Japan

Jake Donovan

•Oct 27, 2022

Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco are cleared to unify the junior bantamweight division. Plans for the terrific WBA/WBO unification bout was formally approved by the WBO, the final hurdle in finalizing plans for a December 31 showdown in Tokyo. As previously reported by BoxingScene.com, the already-agreed upon bout was

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Kazuto Ioka-Joshua Franco Title Unification Bout Eyed For New Year's Eve In Japan

Kazuto Ioka-Joshua Franco Title Unification Bout Eyed For New Year's Eve In Japan

Jake Donovan

•Oct 11, 2022

Kazuto Ioka has grown accustomed to ending every year with a bang. This occasion will carry extra special meaning. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that plans are in place for Ioka to next face Joshua Franco in a junior bantamweight title

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