Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco battle to a majority draw, retain their 115-lb. belts

The ultimate world title bout of 2022 was an entertaining crossroads match between 115-pound beltholders Kazuto Ioka, the revered hometown veteran, and Joshua Franco, the up-and-comer from San Antonio, Texas. The  fast-paced 12-round bout got here to an unsatisfying conclusion for the visiting fighter, as Franco needed to accept a majority draw (115-113, 114-114, 114-114) on Information Yr’s Eve on the Ota-Metropolis Common Gymnasium in Tokyo.

The one successful scorecard (from veteran official Stanley Christodoulou) was tallied for Franco (18-1-3, 8 KOs), who was the aggressor all through the struggle and appeared to outwork Ioka (29-2-1, 15 KOs) within the majority of rounds, particularly throughout the first half of the bout.

Ioka was content material to punch on the fly and was typically pressured to the ropes however the 33-year-old Tokyo resident was capable of sneak proper palms by way of Franco’s excessive guard and constantly focused the Texan’s physique with correct left hooks. Nevertheless, even when Ioka tried to face his floor and alternate — as he did throughout the late rounds — he was unable to harm or discourage the youthful titleholder, who remained the busier and bodily stronger of the 2.

Ioka, who has held world titles at strawweight, junior flyweight and flyweight, retained his WBO 115-pound belt for the fifth time. Franco, who’s coming off three consecutive bouts with high contender Andrew Moloney in addition to 16 months of inactivity, retained his WBA strap.

Ioka is at the moment The Ring’s No. 2-rated junior bantamweight, Franco just isn’t far behind at No. 5, though it’s attainable the 27-year-old technician’s efficiency will advantage a transfer up within the rankings as soon as members of the Ring Rankings Panel watch replays of the struggle, which was not streamed or broadcast outdoors of Japan.

(This author watched it through an Instagram Dwell hosted by Mikey Garcia, the youthful brother of Franco’s coach, Robert Garcia. Thanks Mikey! There could also be a extra in-depth report back to observe if one among RingTV.com’s contributors watches a replay of the struggle and is so moved to pen one.)

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