Kazuto Ioka

Kazuto Ioka (井岡 一翔, Ioka Kazuto, born 24 March 1989) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a four-weight world champion, having held the WBO super-flyweight title since 2019. He previously the unified WBA and WBC minimumweight titles between 2011 and 2012, the WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title between 2012 and 2014, and the WBA flyweight title between 2015 and 2017. As of October 2019, he is ranked as the world’s third best active super flyweight by BoxRec, and fourth by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Kazuto Ioka
Statistics
Real name井岡一翔
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach66 1⁄2 in (169 cm)
NationalityJapanese
Born (1989-03-24) March 24, 1989
Sakai, Japan
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights27
Wins25
Wins by KO14
Losses2

Amateur career

Kazuto Ioka is the nephew of flyweight champion Hiroki Ioka. Kazuto asked his father to teach him how to box as a teenager. His father, Kazunori Ioka, would continue training him through his amateur and professional career. Ioka amassed a record of 95-10 as an amateur, winning six national high school tournaments along the way. He reached the semifinals of the 2008 King's Cup, an amateur boxing tournament held in Thailand, before losing to Amnat Ruenroeng.[1] Ioka joined Tokyo Agricultural University, hoping to represent his country in the 2008 Olympics but he would fall short on the qualifiers.[2]

Amateur highlights
  • 16th All Japan Selected High School Boxing Championships, Light flyweight Tournament winner (2005)
  • 17th All Japan Selected High School Boxing Championships, Light flyweight Tournament winner (2006)
  • 59th Inter-highschool championships, Boxing, Light flyweight Tournament winner
  • 60th Inter-highschool championships, Boxing, Light flyweight Tournament winner
  • 60th National Sports Festival, Boxing, Boys, Light flyweight Tournament winner
  • 61st National Sports Festival, Boxing, Boys, Light flyweight Tournament winner
  • 62nd National Sports Festival, Boxing, Adult, Light flyweight Tournament winner
  • 63rd National Sports Festival, Boxing, Adult, Light flyweight Tournament winner

Professional career

Early career

Upon failing to qualify for the Olympics, Ioka dropped out from college and turned professional in 2009. On April 12, 2009, he fought against Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo, and won his debut via a third-round technical knockout. After this victory, he won six straight victories. After winning 5 fights, Ioka competed for the vacant Japanese light flyweight title. Ioka captured the national title by stopping Masayoshi Segawa in the final 10th round.

Minimumweight

On his next fight, Ioka won the WBC minimumweight title from Thai Oleydong Sithsamerchai via a fifth-round technical knockout in the latter's seventh title defence at the World Memorial Hall, in February 2011. Sithsamerchai was knocked down twice over the course of his first professional loss. Ioka went on to defend his title against Juan Hernández, winning via unanimous decision (118-111, 117-111, 116-112).

After one further defense, Ioka met WBA champion Akira Yaegashi in a match that marked the first time two Japanese fighters had met to unify world titles. The fight took place on 20 June 2012 at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Ioka defeated the WBA champion Akira Yaegashi via a unanimous decision (115-113, 115-113, 115-114). The two fighters exchanged hard shots throughout a tense, tactical fight. The fight ended with Yaegashi and Ioka trading combinations while looking for a knockout. From early in the fight, Yaegashi's eye was nearly shut. The ringside doctor performed several checks on it but Yaegashi was allowed to finish the fight.[3][4][5] When asked whether the result would have been different unless he got swollen eyes, Yaegashi said "We should not think about it. There is no if's in boxing".[6] The day after the fight, Ioka decided to move up a weight division.[7][8]

Light flyweight

Shortly after the fight, Ioka moved up to light flyweight as well. On December 31, 2012, Ioka beat undefeated José Alfredo Rodríguez for the vacant WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Ioka knocked Rodríguez down once in round 1 and twice in round 6 before the referee stopped the fight.[9] Ioka held the Regular version of the WBA's title, while Román Gonzalez was the WBA (Super) champion.[10] Ioka went on to defend his title three times but he never faced González.

Flyweight

On February 28, 2014, Ioka would vacate the WBA title to move up to the flyweight division in order to attempt becoming a three division world champion.[11] On May 7, 2014, Ioka faced Thai IBF champion Amnat Ruenroeng at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. Ioka seemed to be the more active boxer but Ruenroeng landed heavier blows while countering Ioka. Ruenroeng lost a point for hitting after the break. Nevertheless, Ruenroeng retained his title with a split decision (119-108, 115-112, 113-114).[12] The 119-108 card turned in by judge Pawel Kardyni was criticized as being far too wide.[13]

On April 22, 2015, Ioka realized his goal to be a triple champion, when he defeated WBA (Regular) champion Juan Carlos Reveco by majority decision (116-113, 115-113, 114-114). The fight saw Reveco take the early rounds but Ioka came on strong in the middle rounds and got the nod in the end.[14] Reveco appealed the decision to the World Boxing Association, who ordered an immediate rematch.[15] Ioka was later granted a voluntary defense against Roberto Sosa, with the winner ordered to face Reveco.[16] Ioka beat Sosa in a shutout unanimous decision (120-108, 119-109, 119-109). The Ioka-Reveco rematch was set for December 2015. Ioka outworked Reveco at the start of the match. However, Reveco started rallying in round 7. Ioka answered in kind, nearly knocking out Reveco. Reveco finally went down in round 11 following a series of hooks to the body.[17]

Ioka was nearing a deal to fight WBA (Super) flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, when the latter vacated to compete at super flyweight.[18] Ioka was knocked down for the first time in his career against 18 year old challenger and WBA interim champion Stamp Kiatniwat. Ioka rallied, pummeling Kiatniwat to the body, until he finally dropped the challenger twice in round 9. The referee halted the fight with the second knockdown. The win was Ioka's fourth flyweight defense.[19]

In November 2017, Ioka vacated his title after five successful defenses. He was planning to defend on December 31 but his father stated that he would not be ready to do so, as he hadn't kept up with his training after getting married earlier in the year to Nana Tanimura.[20][21] Ioka went on to announce his retirement at age 28 after getting married and reportedly falling out with his father and promoter, Kazunori Ioka.[22]

Super flyweight

On New Year's Eve in 2018, Ioka fought Donnie Nietes for the WBO junior bantamweight title in an attempt to win a world title in a fourth weight class. Ioka, however, lost by split decision.

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
27 fights 25 wins 2 losses
By knockout 14 0
By decision 11 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
27 Win 25–2 Jeyvier Cintrón UD 12 Dec 31, 2019 Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO super-flyweight title
26 Win 24–2 Aston Palicte TKO 10 (12), 1:46 Jun 19, 2019 Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan Won vacant WBO super-flyweight title
25 Loss 23–2 Donnie Nietes SD 12 Dec 31, 2018 Wynn Palace, Macau, SAR For vacant WBO super-flyweight title
24 Win 23–1 McWilliams Arroyo UD 10 Sep 8, 2018 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBC Silver super-flyweight title
23 Win 22–1 Noknoi CP Freshmart UD 12 Apr 23, 2017 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA flyweight title
22 Win 21–1 Stamp Kiatniwat TKO 7 (12), 2:51 Dec 31, 2016 Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan Retained WBA flyweight title
21 Win 20–1 Keyvin Lara KO 11 (12), 1:11 Jul 20, 2016 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
20 Win 19–1 Juan Carlos Reveco TKO 11 (12), 1:57 Dec 31, 2015 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
19 Win 18–1 Roberto Sosa UD 12 Sep 27, 2015 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
18 Win 17–1 Juan Carlos Reveco MD 12 Apr 22, 2015 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Won WBA (Regular) flyweight title
17 Win 16–1 Jean Piero Pérez KO 5 (10), 2:09 Dec 31, 2014 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan
16 Win 15–1 Pablo Carrillo UD 10 Sep 16, 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Loss 14–1 Amnat Ruenroeng SD 12 May 7, 2014 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan For IBF flyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Felix Alvarado UD 12 Dec 31, 2013 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
13 Win 13–0 Kwanthai Sithmorseng KO 7 (12), 2:18 Sep 11, 2013 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
12 Win 12–0 Wisanu Kokietgym KO 9 (12), 2:51 May 8, 2013 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
11 Win 11–0 José Alfredo Rodríguez TKO 6 (12), 2:50 Dec 31, 2012 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Won vacant WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
10 Win 10–0 Akira Yaegashi UD 12 Jun 20, 2012 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC minimumweight title
Won WBA minimumweight title
9 Win 9–0 Yodgoen Tor Chalermchai TKO 1 (12), 1:38 Dec 31, 2011 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC minimumweight title
8 Win 8–0 Juan Hernández UD 12 Aug 10, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBC minimumweight title
7 Win 7–0 Oleydong Sithsamerchai TKO 5 (12), 1:07 Feb 11, 2011 World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan Won WBC minimumweight title
6 Win 6–0 Masayoshi Segawa TKO 10 (10), 1:57 Oct 10, 2010 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Won vacant Japanese light-flyweight title
5 Win 5–0 Albert Alcoy TKO 9 (10), 1:57 Jul 25, 2010 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Heri Amol UD 10 Apr 18, 2010 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Takashi Kunishige UD 10 Dec 29, 2009 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Hiroshi Matsumoto TKO 2 (8), 2:59 Jul 26, 2009 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo TKO 3 (6), 0:26 Apr 12, 2009 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
gollark: Oh, yes, silly me.
gollark: ```javascriptconst printNumber = n => { switch(n) { case 0: return "zero"; //break; case 1: return "one"; //break; case 2: return "two"; //break; case 3: return "three"; //break; default: return "many"; }}```That's much longer, and uglier, especially with the breaks (not needed in this example, but generally will be).
gollark: ```fsharplet printNumber n = match n with | 0 -> "zero" | 1 -> "one" | 2 -> "two" | 3 -> "three" | _ -> "many"```
gollark: I could provide a more complicated example, but discord is bad for that.
gollark: See? It's ugly! Mutable variables; that break nonsense; the curly brackets.

See also

References
  1. http://www.asianboxing.info/kazuto-ioka.html
  2. http://www.wbaboxing.com/boxing-news/who-is-kazuto-ioka
  3. Corey Erdman (June 20, 2012). "Ioka bests valiant Yaegashi to unify strawweight titles". RingTV.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  4. Mark Ortega (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Decisions One-Eyed Akira Yaegashi In Minimumweight Title Tilt". Queensberry-Rules.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  5. Jake Donovan (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Outlasts Akira Yaegashi In A War". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  6. 藤原 翔 (June 20, 2012). 敗者、八重樫に涙なし　「またイチから…」 (in Japanese). MSN Sankei News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  7. 井岡と八重樫　ライトフライ級で再戦誓う (in Japanese). Sports Nippon. June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  8. 八重樫「悔しい」井岡との再戦に意欲 (in Japanese). Daily Sports. June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012. (includes photo)
  9. Boxing - Ioka steps up to win WBA light-fly belt Yahoo Eurosport UK December 31, 2012
  10. https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/12/31/3821028/ioka-vs-rodriguez-results-kazuto-ioka-stops-jose-rodriguez
  11. Kazuto Ioka relinquished his 108-pound belt http://www.wbanews.com/ February 28, 2014
  12. "Amnat Ruenroeng hands Kazuto Ioka first loss by decision". The Ring. May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  13. http://www.boxingscene.com/amnat-ruenroeng-takes-split-nod-over-kazuto-ioka--77549
  14. "Kazuto Ioka takes WBA flyweight title from Juan Carlos Reveco". ESPN. April 22, 2015.
  15. "WBA orders Ioka vs Reveco rematch". World Boxing Association. May 20, 2015.
  16. http://www.boxingscene.com/ioka-vs-sosa-approved-winner-face-reveco--94096
  17. http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1858663-dura-derrota-de-reveco-en-osaka-ante-ioka-kot-en-el-undecimo-round
  18. http://www.boxingscene.com/juan-francisco-estrada-vacates-wba-flyweight-crown--108758
  19. http://www.boxingscene.com/kazuto-ioka-survives-knockdown-stomps-stamp-kiatniwat-seven--112247
  20. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2017/11/09/more-sports/boxing-2/wba-flyweight-champ-kazuto-ioka-relinquishes-title/
  21. http://www.asianboxing.info/asian-news/kazuto-ioka-vacates-wba-title-retirement-rumoured
  22. https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/1/2/16840018/kazuto-ioka-retires-at-28
Achievements
Preceded by
Oleydong Sithsamerchai		 WBC mini flyweight champion
February 11, 2011 – June 30, 2012
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Xiong Chaozhong
Preceded by
Akira Yaegashi		 WBA mini flyweight champion
June 20, 2012 – October 3, 2012
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Ryo Miyazaki
Vacant
Title last held by
Román González
Promoted to Super Champion		 WBA light flyweight champion
December 31, 2012 – February 28, 2014
Regular Title until January 14, 2014
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Alberto Rossel
Preceded by
Juan Carlos Reveco		 WBA flyweight champion
April 22, 2015 – November 9, 2017
Regular Title until September 14, 2016
Vacated		 Vacant
Title next held by
Artem Dalakian
Vacant
Title last held by
Donnie Nietes		 WBO super flyweight champion
June 19, 2019 – present		 Incumbent
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