Kazuto Ioka

John Ramirez Eyes Kazuto Ioka For Title Shot, Inks With Golden Boy

Golden Boy has signed super flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez to a promotional deal, and the undefeated prospect will look to prove his promise immediately when he faces Ronal Batista on Oct. 7.

Juan Francisco Estrada, Kazuto Ioka In Talks For WBC/WBA Unification Bout

Juan Francisco Estrada had a ringside seat for the attempted unification bout between Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco last New Year’s Eve. The reigning lineal and WBC junior bantamweight champion hopes to participate in this year’s edition.

John Ramirez Aims To Secure Eliminator For Kazuto Ioka Title Shot

Undefeated super flyweight John “Scrappy” Ramirez (11-0, 8 KOs), fighting out of South-Central Los Angeles, aims to take over the super flyweight division.

Kazuto Ioka Building a Hall Case: Weekend Afterthought

Joshua Franco may or may not have left his best chance to win in the gym, as evidenced by his inability to come in within even a weight class of defending his WBA belt at 115 pounds. He moved his hands like a man in pretty good shape.

Joshua Franco Decides To Retire: Last Night in Tokyo Was Officially My Last Fight

This past Saturday night, Kazuto Ioka claimed the WBA super flyweight title with a unanimous decision over Joshua Franco in their rematch at Tokyo’s Ota City General Gymnasium.

Kazuto Ioka Outpoints Joshua Franco In Rematch, Wins WBA Title

Kazuto Ioka didn’t get the knockout win he craved but lived up to his vow to make every punch count. Japan’s only-ever male boxer to win titles in four weight divisions got it right the second time around in a WBA junior bantamweight title-winning ef...

Joshua Franco-Kazuto Ioka II: Stats & Stakes

On New Year’s Eve, they gave us a hell of a show. There was no official winner.  There was ample debate with some feeling strongly Joshua Franco had done enough with his higher output. Others liked the precision work of Kazuto Ioka. On Saturday in Ja...

Joshua Franco Still Over 115-Pound Limit, WBA Title At Stake Only For Kazuto Ioka In Rematch

Joshua Franco and Kazuto Ioka both entered their first fight as reigning junior bantamweight titlist. They will now enter the ring for their anticipated sequel as former titleholders. San Antonio’s Franco was forced to relinquish the WBA 115-pound ti...

Joshua Franco Well Over 115-Pound Limit, At Risk Of Losing WBA Title; Kazuto Ioka Easily Makes Weight

Joshua Franco spent nearly the past six months looking forward to a second go with Kazuto Ioka. He now has two hours to lose as much weight as he can but pressed with the harsh reality of losing his WBA junior bantamweight title before he enters the...

Ioka On Franco Rematch: The Plan Is To Win By Knockout, Want To Win More Clearly This Time

Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco shared at least two things in common after their first fight last New Year’s Eve. Both left the ring with their respective junior bantamweight title reigns still intact and they both insisted they deserved the nod over t...

Franco On Ioka Rematch: We Don't Want It To Go To The Judges This Time

Joshua Franco will never not believe that he deserved to enter 2023 with two major titles in tow. Ever the realist, he recognized the moments where he failed to convince two of the three judges to score in his favor over Kazuto Ioka last New Year’s E...

Kazuto Ioka vs. Joshua Franco Rematch Official For June 24 in Tokyo

The stage is now set for the rematch to set the record straight. Japan's former WBO super flyweight world champion Kazuto Ioka will face the current WBA champion Joshua Franco of the United States in a rematch of their recent world title unification...

Junto Nakatani-Andrew Moloney: WBO Orders Vacant Junior Bantamweight Title Fight

The next two contenders in line are ready to fill the void left behind by Kazuto Ioka. BoxingScene.com has confirmed that Junto Nakatani and Andrew Moloney have been instructed to enter talks for an ordered vacant WBO junior bantamweight title. Th...

Ioka-Nakatani Talks Stall As Deadline Reached, WBO To Order Purse Bid For 115-Pound Title Fight

A rare attractive mandatory title fight is now destined for a purse bid hearing. Whether or not the bout comes to fruition is another story. BoxingScene.com has learned that talks have stalled in the WBO-ordered junior bantamweight title fight...

Kazuto Ioka-Junto Nakatani: WBO Formally Orders Mandatory Title Fight

A rematch between Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco was always doubtful despite the demand immediately after their recent twelve-round draw. The WBO sent a reminder of why that was always the case.