By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda (to come soon)
Unbeaten Argentine Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), 115, unified the WBA and IBF super flyweight belts as he fought a grueling battle with skillful Japanese Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), 114.75, all the way, winning a unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111 and 120-108: this score questionable) over twelve give-and-take rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. Martinez, 32, was more aggressive, while Ioka, 35, was more technical, scoring with counters and body shots. The Argentine’s abundant stamina was amazing, as he withstood Ioka’s persistent body bombardments and furiously retaliated with a two-fisted attacks upstairs. They kept exchanging solid punches from the outset to the end and fully entertained the audience.
Promoter: Shisei Promotions.
Martinez vs Bam next this one gonna be fireworks
there has to be a fight against Bam or just retire
Martinez is a mini version of Juan “baby bull” Diaz. A resilient feroz attacker with not much power on his delivery that would be decimated by Bam Rodriguez the same way JMM did to Diaz in a very entertaining affair
Bam has the assignment to dispose Martinez before moving up, or else Martinez will call Bam out to fight him. Thereafter, we will know if Bam could really face the top dog at 118.
A big hurdle awaits Bam Rodriguez at 118; his name is Junto Nakatani. I honestly think this guy is as hard as Naoya Inoue is, and he is no doubt the best opponent he has ever faced who also has the frame of a lightweight.
Bam – Nakatani or Inoue – Nakatani is delicious stuff! Every champion at 118 is Japanese, hopefully Nakatani can get at least one unification and make one of those fights even bigger.
That’s why if Bam beats Martinez. Nakatani vs Bam is a sure barn burner!
Was able to watch this match on an abbreviated foremat, like 2 minutes of each round. Of what I saw Martinez did win 116-112, though a draw would not have been out of the question. When I gave Martinez a round, the Spanish observer whose score they showed I believe gave Ioka. Martinez just looked also so much bigger. the one issue I had with him is that he did not invest as much to the body as Ioka did, and believe that if he were to fight Rodriquez, Rodriguez might see what he can do. His body is very much open, wheras Ioka in this fight seemed to protect his more. Considering that it was in Japan, was surprised that it was not much closer.