Unifies WBA, IBF 115lb belts
By Joe KoizumiPhotos by Naoki Fukuda
Unbeaten Argentine Fernando “Puma” Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), 115, unified the WBA and IBF tremendous flyweight belts as he fought a grueling battle with skillful Japanese speedster Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), 114.75, all the way in which, successful a unanimous choice over twelve see-saw rounds on Sunday at Ryogoku Sumo Area in Tokyo,
Japan. Stanley Christodoulou (South Africa) and Jean Pierre Van Imschoot (Belgium) scored 117-111 and 116-112 respectively, whereas Edward Hernandez (US) considered it 120-108—all in favor of the quick and powerful Argentine. The referee was Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico).
For Martinez it was his third protection since he dethroned IBF ruler Jerwin Ancajas in Las Vegas in 2022, whereas for dour-division champ Ioka it was his second protection since he wrested the WBA belt from Joshua Franco right here a few yr in the past.
IBF titlist Martinez, 32, was merely extra aggressive, whereas WBA ruler Ioka, 35, was extra technical, scoring with counters and physique photographs. The Argentine’s ample stamina was wonderful, as he withstood Ioka’s persistent physique bombardments and furiously retaliated with unceasing two-fisted assaults upstairs. They stored exchanging strong punches from the outset to the top and totally entertained the viewers.
Reviewing their continuous punching competitors, the turning level could be halfway within the first spherical. From the beginning it was Puma that swarmed over the peek-a-boo stylist Ioka, who, nevertheless, fought again and related with strong physique photographs, which successfully had Fernand’s legs sagging.
Who’s spherical? All of the three judges had it for Puma, evaluating his aggressiveness for an extended time within the spherical than Ioka’s non permanent physique assaults. However virtually all spectators, together with our ex-world champs, thought it was Ioka’s spherical and Martinez can be slowing down along with his continuous physique photographs in later rounds.
Most likely Ioka in addition to his long-time coach Ismael Salas, additionally thought Puma’s weak level is in his breadbasket. We had been mistaken, and Crew Ioka-Salas was additionally mistaken. Regardless of what number of physique photographs Puma absorbed, he rapidly recovered from the harm, grew to become recent in each spherical and revealed his phenomenal stamina even down the stretch.
A typical spherical of this battle was the second, when Marinez stored battering Ioka even on his peek-a-boo guard for 2 minutes, whereas Ioka turned unfastened and retaliated with physique photographs as a result of his authentic technique for the one-minute the rest of the spherical. Who’s spherical? Fernando.
This sample of processing continued within the first 4 rounds, all of which the judges tallied in favor of the sturdy Argentine warrior.
Ioka, in spherical 5, threw extra jabs and completely attacked the midsection of Martinez, and he appeared to regulate this session. Nevertheless it was just one choose Van Imshoot that had it for Ioka, whereas the opposite two noticed it for Martinez. Most likely the 2 judges had been deeply impressed by Puma’s energy, velocity and energy—no matter precision on this spherical.
From the sixth spherical onward Ioka nonetheless sticked to his authentic combat plan to combine it up and batter the midsection, believing his punches downstairs could be more practical than these of Martinez upstairs. Their (Ioka and Salas’) view finally proved mistaken on the announcement of the choice.
We, on the press field, talked one another, saying, “Ioka could be pondering he was successful and his combat plan is true. He could also be making a severe deceptive.”
Extremely sufficient, though Ioka desperately stored battering the physique of Puma, the energetic Argentine by no means confirmed any signal of fatigue within the second half. The seventh noticed Fernand furiously assault Kazuto from all angles to the face, although Ioka briefly fought again with jabs and physique photographs within the closing seconds of the spherical.
It was humorous to see Puma so aggressive and ample in stamina within the first two minutes thirty seconds however fading and slowing down within the final thirty seconds to permit Ioka to combat again with physique photographs. Thus it was Fernando that steadily piled up factors by his continuous assault in each spherical.
This reporter noticed Ioka dominate the eighth and tenth along with his extra correct retaliation as the 2 judges (Christodoulou and Van Imshoot) tallied for the Japanese due to his precision.
Realizing that it was shut (finally not within the official tallies after the tenth), the world champs desperately combined it up with all that they had—within the final two rounds. The eleventh noticed Ioka threw extra jabs and combos, whereas Martinez remained aggressive along with his continuous rallies. What’s his supply of unflagging power? Argentine beef energy?
The twelfth and remaining spherical noticed them change punches toe-to-toe within the shut quarter for full three minutes. Within the closing seconds Puma slipped down, and the viewers briefly thought it was a knockdown attributable to Ioka’s shot, however the referee Pabon rapidly denied it, and the ultimate bell sounded to finish their slugfest.
Our ringsiders stated it was Ioka nook’s severe mistake that had him combine up with such a bodily and mentally sturdy rival, and Ioka ought to have utilized his typical hit-and-run ways. It could be true and proper.
We, in Japan, have witnessed excellent Argentine boxeadors comparable to Pascual Perez (who dethroned our first world champion Yoshio Shirai), Nicolino “Intocable” Locche (who shut out and retired Paul Takeshi Fuji), Santos Laciar (who completed Shuichi Hozumi in simply two rounds), Juan Martin Coggi (who dismantled Hiroyuki Yoshino), et al. Fernando “Puma” Martinez could also be included within the record of extraordinarily sturdy Argentine boxeadores coming to Japan.
Worldwide boxing followers might examine Bam Rodrigez and Puma Martinez. This reporter received’t inform which is stronger or superior, however can say Martinez is a really sturdy and technical unified champion who will be capable to present a aggressive bout with Bam.
How concerning the four-division champ Kazuto Ioka’s future? He’s already thirty-five, but when nonetheless motivated to win again his belt, he might combat one or two extra. It’ll rely on his personal choice and can energy. Because it was very uncommon that we, in Japan, noticed Ioka within the loser’s nook, we’re merely shocked and sympathize with the long-time champion since 2011 (due to his very wonderful defensive skill and pure reflexes, he may survive for greater than a decade).
Although our compatriot and nationwide hero Ioka misplaced, we should reward Fernando Martinez’s energy and superhuman stamina comparable to Argentina’s first world campeon Pascual Perez. No matter nationality, we will deeply admire the excellence of the winner. That’s boxing.
The crestfallen loser Kazuto stated, “My future plan (his anticipated confrontation with Bam Rodriguez) has come to naught. I can say nothing on my future because the combat is simply over.”
The happiest winner Fernando jubilantly stated, “I didn’t anticipate Ioka to return and combat so positively from the beginning. His physique photographs had been efficient, however I may stand up to them and combat again exhausting. Ought to the dinero (cash) be ok, I’ll come again to Japan to combat Ioka once more or WBO champ Kosei Tanaka.”
Puma, go and combat Bam Rodriguez within the US, as the entire world needs to observe it.
Promoter: Shisei Promotions.
BoxRec: Fernando Daniel MartinezBoxRec: Kazuto Ioka_
