Kazuto Ioka: record, next fight and profile →
Kazuto Ioka may have potentially punched his ticket to Canastota. For now, the 30-year old made history for his native Japan following a 10th round stoppage of Philippines' Aston Palicte in their vacant super flyweight title fight Wednesday evening at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Ioka now stands alone as the nation's first-ever male boxer to become a four-division titlist amidst a career filled with watershed moments.
Kazuto Ioka looks for a second shot at history, while Aston Palicte takes his second swing at a first title reign. Both boxers enjoyed an important step towards their respective goals, making weight for their vacant super flyweight title fight Wednesday evening in Chiba, Japan. Japan’s Ioka tipped the scales at a trim and ready 114¾ pounds, while the equally fighting fit Palicte who weighed right at the 115-pound divisional limit for his fourth straight fight away from his native Philippines.
Kazuto Ioka admittedly doesn’t know how much longer he will stick around as a pro. Then again, he didn’t even realize more than a year ago that he’d be at the doorstep of making history—or even anywhere near a boxing ring. The former three-division titiist looks to become the first-ever male boxer from Japan to claim a major strap in four weight divisions heading into Wednesday’s clash with Philippines’ Aston Palicte. The two will contend for a vacant 115-pound title, one which Ioka was denied in a controversial 12-round loss to Donnie Nietes last New Year’s Eve in Macao, China.
World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1-ranked contender "Mighty" Aston Palicte (25-2-1, 21 KOs)is currently training in Baguio, Philippines, for his June 19th showdown with three-division world champion Kazuto Ioka (23-2, 13 KOs) for the vacant WBO Junior Bantamweight World Championship, at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.
Kazuto Ioka and Aston Palicte can confidently proceed in preparing for their super flyweight title fight. Weeks worth of discussion surrounding fight details, international broadcasting rights and other concerns have all been resolved for the vacant WBO 115-pound title, which will take place on June 19 at Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba, Japan.
Kazuto Ioka will get a home game in his pursuit of boxing immortality. Most of the finer points have been agreed to in efforts to pair the former three-division titlist to face Philippines’ Aston Palicte for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title. Once a deal is fully reached, the bout will take place June 19 in Chiba, Japan.
Kazuto Ioka and Aston Palicte are about to share far more in common than separate controversially scored bouts with Donnie Nietes. BoxingScene.com has learned that talks have rapidly progressed for a vacant title fight between the two, with plans to square off in late spring or early summer. An official announcement is forthcoming for Ioka and Palicte to contend for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title.
As we know it today, three official judges decide a boxing match when it goes the scheduled distance. Two judges aren’t enough. Too often, boxing fans are left with the bitter impression only two showed up on their A game. Donnie Nietes versus Kazuto Ioka was an excellent, tightly contested battle for the vacant WBO 115 lb. title between two accomplished veterans. Nietes was attempting to join Leo Gamez and Roman Gonzalez as the only men to win titles from minimumweight to Jr. bantamweight. Ioka was looking for his third full title after stints as a unified minimumweight and flyweight titlist.
Filipino star Donnie "Ahas" Nietes joined the elite class of Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire, when he became a four division world champion on New Year's Eve. In his second attempt, Nietes captured the vacant WBO super flyweight world championship. Back in September, Nietes fought countryman Aston Palicte to controversial twelve round split draw with the vacant WBO title at stake.
Wynn Palace Cotai, Macao - For the vacant World Boxing Organization super flyweight world title, Donnie Nietes (42-1, 23 KOs) won a tough twelve round split decision over Kazuto Ioka (23-2, 13 KOs). The scores were 118-110 for Nietes, 116-112 for Ioka, and 116-112 for Nietes.