On Sunday, WBA junior bantamweight Kazuto Ioka will return for his conventional New 12 months’s Eve date when he faces former world title challenger Josber Perez on the Ota-Metropolis Basic Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan.
Ioka, The Ring’s No. 1-rated junior bantamweight, had hoped to face Ring champion and WBC titlist Juan Francisco Estrada. Frustratingly, the 2 sides weren’t in a position to dealer a deal, however the present should go on.
“My workforce spent a whole lot of time negotiating persistently with Estrada’s camp, however we have been unable to succeed in an settlement,” Ioka (30-2-1, 15 knockouts) informed The Ring via Yusuke Ninomiya. “After all, it’s unlucky, however for me, the battle towards Estrada isn’t the whole lot.
“I’m a champion and I consider it’s my obligation to have a battle towards a challenger. Additionally, there are numerous boxing followers who’re trying ahead to my battle on New 12 months’s Eve. Due to this fact, even when it’s not a unification bout, I’ve determined to battle on New 12 months’s Eve.”
Whereas a deal couldn’t be struck, it’s believed that the battle nonetheless has an opportunity sooner or later.
“Each my workforce and Estrada’s camp will proceed to have discussions to make this match occur subsequent yr,” stated Ioka.
Nevertheless, that could be hindered by speak of IBF/WBO flyweight titlist Jesse Rodriguez heading again to 115-pounds, the place he talked about dealing with the a lot in-demand Estrada.
The 34-year-old Ioka has gained main titles in 4 weight courses. He initially gained titles at strawweight, however then moved as much as junior flyweight earlier than including extra {hardware} at flyweight.
He retired for 17 months earlier than returning and having fun with additional success at junior bantamweight, initially claiming the WBO title earlier than abdicating his thrown to face Joshua Franco of their rematch in the summertime.
Ioka is the consummate skilled and stays centered on Perez, in what might be his first protection however hopes to safe a profession defining battle subsequent yr.
“This would be the twelfth time for me to have a title match on New 12 months’s Eve,” he stated proudly. “I really feel it’s my mission to battle on New 12 months’s Eve, and I’ll undoubtedly win this bout.
“I’ll turn into the unified champion in 2024.”
Whereas this can be one thing of a come-down from the proposed unification with Estrada, Ioka nonetheless has a job to be completed and I count on him to field early and defuse the challenger’s energy earlier than forcing the stoppage in eight rounds.
Perez (20-3, 18 KOs) turned skilled in 2016. The ability-punching Venezuelan was upset in his fourth battle however rebounded nicely, amassing the nationwide title and likewise a regional WBA belt. The 28-year-old misplaced a detailed battle to former world title challenger Rober Barrera (UD 10).
Perez was dominated by Artem Dalakian (UD 12) when he challenged the Ukrainian for the WBA title in 2020. After a three-year hiatus he has returned with three wins.
Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected].
