By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs), 115, Japan, barely kept his belt as he earned a close but unanimous decision over WBO#2 Francisco Rodriguez (34-5-1, 24 KOs), 114, Mexico, over twelve see-saw rounds on Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan. There was no audience at the Ota-city General Gymnasium due to the still rampant COVID-19 pandemic that had forced us under a state of emergency for months. The official tallies were as follows: Yuji Fukuchi, Michiaki Someya and Nobuto Ikehara (all of Japan) identical with 116-112 for the defending champ Ioka. The referee was Biney Martin.
For Ioka it was one of the toughest battles in his career, even including a couple of split decision losses to Amnat Ruengroeng and Donnie Nietes. The energetic Mexican, 29, displayed a good start as he caught the champ with looping left hooks that had him retreating to the ropes. Ioka, 32, covered himself well but Rodriguez maintained the pressure to take the initiative in the second and third sessions. Continue reading “Ioka-Rodriguez Full Report”
By Joe Koizumi Photos by Naoki Fukuda WBO 115-pound champion Kazuto Ioka (27-2, 15 KOs), 115, Japan, barely kept his belt as he earned a close but unanimous decision over…
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