KAZUTO IOKA ANTICIPATES WAIT FOR FERNANDO MARTINEZ WILL BE WORTH IT
In July, then-WBA junior bantamweight titlist Kazuto Ioka met IBF counterpart Fernando Martinez in a unification matchup. Martinez was able to win a 12-round unanimous decision in an exciting fight that was due to lead to a rematch in late December.
The Argentine visitor fell ill, however, and the fight was called off at the 11th hour.
Thankfully, both sides were able to broker a deal for Martinez to put his WBA title is on the line — he had to vacate the IBF title because he had a mandatory defense obligation — at the Ota-City Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday.
Ioka, rated at No. 3 by The Ring at junior bantamweight, believes the extended wait will be worthwhile on fight night.
"I'm happy that the rematch with Martinez has been confirmed for May 11, and I'm full of gratitude to everyone involved who helped make it happen," Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs) told The Ring. "I was fully preparing for the fight back in December, so of course I was very disappointed when it was cancelled. But I accepted the situation. There was nothing else to do."
Having completed 12 rounds with Martinez 10 months ago, the Japanese standout knows exactly what to expect.
"Martinez is a very good fighter," he said. "After sharing the ring with him, I felt his technique as well. In order to win this time, I'll need both heart and a sharp mind. I have to fight with technical intelligence."
At 36, with a long, illustrious career of world titles at strawweight, junior flyweight, flyweight and junior bantamweight, Ioka could be forgiven for stepping away and leaving it to the youngsters.
"Training alongside the younger generation of fighters gives me great motivation," he said of spending time alongside the likes of talented trio — Hayato Tsutsumi, his younger brother Reito and Daiya Kira, who also will be on the undercard. "I truly believe they are the kind of fighters who must become world champions in the future."
As always, he kept it classy with his message to Martinez ahead of their upcoming fight.
"I'm looking forward to seeing Martinez in the ring again on May 11," he said. "Let's both bring our best."
Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs), rated at No. 1 by The Ring at junior bantamweight, was a standout amateur and represented his home country of Argentina all over the world. Martinez appeared in the World Series of Boxing and the 2016 Olympics before turning professional in '17. He won his first nine fights, all in Argentina, before venturing to South Africa to stop Athenkosi Dumezweni (TKO 11).
The 33-year-old was largely unknown until he upset Jerwin Ancajas (UD 12) to win the IBF title, repeated the trick in his first defense and stopped another Filipino Jade Bornea (TKO 11). Impressively, he unified with WBA ruler Kazuto Ioka (UD 12) in Japan.
