Argentine boxer Fernando Martinez spoiled the party in Tokyo by beating legendary Kazuto Ioka by unanimous 12-round decision in their super flyweight unification fight on Sunday. The official scores were 120-108 (embarrassing judgment), 117-111 and 116-112.
Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) put together an incredible offensive effort in the first half of the fight and held off Ioka, who used his experience to rally. The visitor then showed the kind of form needed in the championship rounds to secure the decision that was awarded to him.
Ioka was hurt in the opening seconds of the first round and looked to be in serious trouble. His head was thrown back by a variety of power shots as Martinez looked for a sensational early finish. That was the pattern during the early sessions.
Gradually, the situation began to change as Martinez’s attack slowed down. Ioka, who used all his experience, targeted the body and exhausted his opponent’s resources with a cerebral and precise attack. It seemed that Ioka would achieve a spectacular comeback, but unfortunately for the home fans, it was not to be.
Martinez pushed hard in the championship rounds, winning both sessions with a mix of aggression and smart boxing. Ioka lost his rhythm and distance during a crucial period of the fight and surrendered his WBA title to the Argentine fighter who came into the fight as IBF champion.
Martinez, 32, scores the biggest win of his career to date and opens the door for a superfight with his WBC and Ring Magazine counterpart Bam Rodriguez. The new unified champion boxed very well against a legendary boxer and deserved the decision.
Ioka, 35, entered his 26th world title fight as a four-weight world champion. The Japanese hero is one of the best boxers to come out of his country and has a guaranteed place in the Hall of Fame. His record is 31-3-1 (16 KO) and he has nothing more to prove.
Kazuto Ioka vs. Fernando Martinez preliminary fight card
- Fernando Martinez won. Kazuto Ioka by UD 12 (120-108, 117-111, 116-112) for the IBF/WBA super flyweight world titles
- Seiya Tsutsumi defeated. Weerawat Noolae by TKO 4; Super Bantamweight
- Shun Sekine defeated. Chaiyarat Sawansoda by TKO 3; Super Lightweight
- Yudai Murakami defeated. Hiro Ichimichi via UD 8; Lightweight
- Taiga Kato defeated. Shi Dong via UD 6; super bantamweight
- Kantaro Juri defeated. Phai Pharob via UD 8; super flyweight
- Aoi Yokoyama defeated. Hao Wang by TKO 2; Bantamweight
