Kazuto Ioka (left) and Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez meet in put up weigh-in staredown forward of their WBA/IBF unification bout on July 7 in Tokyo. Picture credit score: Naoki Fukuda
The world’s high three junior bantamweights will likely be in the home on Sunday.
Kazuto Ioka and Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez each made weight for his or her anticipated WBA/IBF unification conflict. Ioka (31-2-1, 16 knockouts) weighed 114.6 kilos, whereas Argentina’s Martinez (16-0, 9 KOs) was 114.9 kilos.
The assembly of The Ring’s No. 1 and No. 2-rated junior bantamweights will happen Sunday on the famed Kokukigan Enviornment in Tokyo.
Bearing witness to the occasion will likely be The Ring/WBC 115-pound champion Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs). The unbeaten 24-year-old dethroned long-reigning champ Juan Francisco Estrada (44-4, 28 KOs) seventh-round knockout on June 29 in Phoenix, Arizona. The aim now for Rodriguez is to face the winner of Sunday’s affair.
Ioka has received main titles at strawweight, junior flyweight, flyweight and junior bantamweight. He received the WBO 115-pound title in June 2019 and made six profitable defenses.
Kazuto Ioka weighs 114.6 kilos (52 kg.) forward of his July 7 WBA/IBF unification bout versus Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez. Ioka is a four-division titlist however probably within the closing yr of his Corridor of Fame-worthy profession. Picture credit score: Naoki Fukuda
The final got here in a majority draw with Joshua Franco of their Dec. 2022 WBA/WBO unification bout. Ioka subsequently vacated to simply accept an instantaneous rematch with Franco in lieu of a compulsory title protection versus Junto Nakatani. The transfer resulted in his present title reign, as he dethroned Franco through determination final June 24.
Martinez received the IBF belt in a February 2022 factors win over long-reigning Jerwin Ancajas. Their October 2022 rematch noticed Martinez repeat the feat. He then turned away unbeaten Jade Bornea through eleventh-round stoppage final June 24 in Minneapolis, hours after Ioka dethroned Franco.
Fernando ‘Puma’ Martinez (16-0, 9 knockouts) makes weight for his IBF/WBA 115-pound unification bout versus Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16 KOs) on July 7 in Tokyo. Picture credit score: Naoki Fukuda
Ioka most just lately stopped Josber Perez of their seventh spherical final New Yr’s Eve at Ota-Metropolis Normal Gymnasium.
Martinez will struggle on the highway for the fifth straight time and in six of his final seven fights. He final fought in his native Argentina in December 2020. His final three bouts have all taken place within the U.S. and with the IBF title at stake.
Sunday’s bout will air dwell on ABEMA-TV in Japan. The present is free to air on the streaming platform, however requires a VPN connection for these exterior the area.
