On Sunday, WBA junior bantamweight Kazuto Ioka will return for his conventional New Yr’s Eve date when he faces former world title challenger Josber Perez on the Ota-Metropolis Common 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 group spent plenty of time negotiating persistently with Estrada’s camp, however we had been unable to succeed in an settlement,” Ioka (30-2-1, 15 knockouts) instructed The Ring via Yusuke Ninomiya. “In fact, it’s unlucky, however for me, the combat in opposition to Estrada just isn’t every part.
“I’m a champion and I imagine it’s my obligation to have a combat in opposition to a challenger. Additionally, there are lots of boxing followers who’re trying ahead to my combat on New Yr’s Eve. Due to this fact, even when it’s not a unification bout, I’ve determined to combat on New Yr’s Eve.”
Whereas a deal couldn’t be struck, it’s believed that the combat nonetheless has an opportunity sooner or later.
“Each my group and Estrada’s camp will proceed to have discussions to make this match occur subsequent 12 months,” mentioned Ioka.
Nonetheless, which may be hindered by discuss 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 lessons. 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 targeted on Perez, in what can be his first protection however hopes to safe a profession defining combat subsequent 12 months.
“This would be the twelfth time for me to have a title match on New Yr’s Eve,” he mentioned proudly. “I really feel it’s my mission to combat on New Yr’s Eve, and I’ll positively win this bout.
“I’ll grow to be 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 anticipate 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 facility-punching Venezuelan was upset in his fourth combat however rebounded properly, amassing the nationwide title and likewise a regional WBA belt. The 28-year-old misplaced a detailed combat 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.
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