Kosei Tanaka: record, next fight and profile →
Kazuto Ioka, a four-division champion and the defending WBO super flyweight king, thwarted Kosei Tanaka's attempt to become one thanks to his superlative boxing skill and powerful left hooks that scored knockdowns in rounds five and six while also rendering Takana out on his feet in round eight.
By Jake Donovan - Kazuto Ioka continued a time-honored tradition in style, forever cementing his place as a modern-day great in the process. The four-division and reigning junior bantamweight titlist denied the same status sought by Kosei Tanaka, scoring two knockdowns en route to an 8th round stoppage win Thursday evening at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
By Cliff Rold - New Year’s Eve has loomed large in the careers of both Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka. Ioka is making his ninth start on the date, posting a mark of 7-1 so far. Tanaka is making his fourth start on what has become arguably the biggest day on the Japanese boxing calendar, returning to the ring Thursday for the first time since running his New Year’s Eve record t..
Kazuto Ioka’s place in Japan’s rich boxing history is secured, no matter what takes place this New Year’s Eve. Of course, that won’t prevent him from adding to a career on the verge of Hall of Fame consideration. The only male boxer from Japan to capture titles in four weight divisions, Ioka looks to prevent unbeaten countryman Kosei Tanaka from joining him on that list. The two collide this Thursday, live on TBS-Japan (and on ESPN platforms in Latin America markets) from Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
The last remaining major title fight of 2020 is official one sleep away. Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka made weight for their highly anticipated junior bantamweight title fight, which headlines a New Year's Eve boxing event live from Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. Both boxers weighed in right at the 115-pound limit for their scheduled 12-round bout, which will air live on TBS-Japan and on several other platforms around the world including ESPN in Latin America.
As we get ready to turn the calendar to 2021, Jose "Chon" Zepeda's knockout victory over Ivan Baranchyk is the run away leader for 2020 Fight of the Year honors. Zepeda won via 5th round knockout in a wild fight in which both fighters scored four knockdowns.
The fight is almost upon us, with hardcore followers of the sport getting excited with each passing day - as undefeated Kosei Tanaka will challenge four division world champion Kazuto Ioka on December 31, with the WBO super flyweight title at stake.
Kazuto Ioka already has designs on an encore with a win in his latest New Year’s Eve headliner. A bold challenge awaits Japan’s lone-ever male boxer to claim titles in four weight divisions, as he next faces unbeaten countryman Kosei Tanaka (15-0, 9KOs) this Thursday at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo. The bout will mark Ioka’s second attempted defense of a junior bantamweight title, reigning in what is now a lucrative division given its top players.
Yet another major New Year’s Eve boxing card from Japan will proceed without the backing of a major stateside platform. Kazuto Ioka—the lone-ever Japanese male boxer to win titles in four weight-divisions—looks to prevent countryman Kosei Tanaka from matching that feat as they collide Thursday evening at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo. The bout will be contested for Ioka’s junior bantamweight title, with the event airing live on TBS in Japan and on several other outlets throughout the world, including Fox Sports in Australia, Boxnation in the United Kingdom and on ESPN platforms throughout Latin America.
For all that he’s accomplished in his career, it’s a fair argument to claim that Kazuto Ioka’s place in history is well secured. Taking out the potential heir to the throne, however, is motivation enough to further enhance his legacy. Ioka (25-2, 14KOs) attempts the second defense of his junior bantamweight title versus countryman and unbeaten former three-division titlist Kosei Tanaka (15-0, 9KOs). Their long-anticipated clash takes place December 31 at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, precisely where both left off in separate bouts exactly one year prior.