By Hisao Adachi

In Macao, China, Japan's former triple world champion Kazuto Ioka (23-1, 13KOs) conducted a public training session with a view to his upcoming fight against another former multi-division world champion, Donnie Nietes (41-1-5, 23KOs) of the Philippines.

They will battle for the vacant super flyweight world title endorsed by the World Boxing Organization - as the headline bout taking place at Wynn Palace Kotai, on December 31 and it's going to be televised directly across Japan by Japan TBS TV.

Ioka was devoted to train hard under the veteran direction of renowned Cuban coach Ismael Salas.

Ioka has a lot of motivation to make history, by becoming the first four division world champion in Japanese boxing history.

"I came to Macao to be able to consummate my great goal in order to make a new historic chapter of Japanese boxing glory," Ioka said.

Ioka commented full of confidence that - "I understand more than enough that Donnie Nietes is a dangerous opponent who posseses excellent technique with defense, who knows how to punch without being hit. For me, it will be a very difficult and uncomfortable fight, but I have faith in gaining the victory with my kind of fight by boxing clever, with a clever strategy and making adjustments as the contest plays out."

Ioka has been a protagonist with a strong role in Japanese boxing on New Year's Eve for live broadcast TV from 2011 to 2016. Ioka's action packed fights have been attracting more TV viewers with each passing year.

In September 2018 at The Forum in Inglewood, California - Ioka made his return to the ring to take part in his first fight outside of Japan and secured a victory by unanimous decision over Boricua McWilliams Arroyo.

After a brief retirement, Ioka returned to the sport of boxing with the sole purpose of winning his fourth world title in order to secure his position in Japanese boxing history.