Kazuto Ioka

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Kazuto Ioka
井岡一翔
Statistics
Weight(s)
  • Mini-flyweight
  • Light-flyweight
  • Flyweight
  • Super-flyweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach66+1⁄2 in (169 cm)
NationalityJapanese
Born (1989-03-24) March 24, 1989 (age 32)
Sakai, Japan
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights29
Wins27
Wins by KO15
Losses2

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 held the unified WBA and WBC mini-flyweight 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 December 2020, he is ranked as the world’s fourth-best active super-flyweight by BoxRec, and third by The Ring magazine and the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. He is also ranked as the world's ninth-best boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring.[1][2][3]

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.[4] Ioka joined Tokyo Agricultural University, hoping to represent his country in the 2008 Olympics but he would fall short on the qualifiers.[5]

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.

Mini-flyweight[]

WBC mini-flyweight champion[]

In his next fight, Ioka won the WBC mini-flyweight title from 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 twice in 2011, first against Juan Hernández, winning via unanimous decision (118–111, 117–111, 116–112), and then against Yodgoen Tor Chalermchai, winning via first-round technical knockout on New Year's Eve 2011.[6]

Unified mini-flyweight champion[]

On 20 June 2012, 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 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.[7][8][9] 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".[10] The day after the fight, Ioka decided to move up a weight division.[11][12]

Light-flyweight[]

WBA (Regular) light-flyweight champion[]

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.[13] Ioka held the Regular version of the WBA's title, while Román Gonzalez was the WBA (Super) champion.[14] 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.[15] 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).[16] The 119–108 card turned in by judge Pawel Kardyni was criticized as being far too wide.[17]

WBA flyweight champion[]

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.[18] Reveco appealed the decision to the World Boxing Association, who ordered an immediate rematch.[19] Ioka was later granted a voluntary defense against Roberto Sosa, with the winner ordered to face Reveco.[20] 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.[21]

Ioka was nearing a deal to fight WBA (Super) flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada, when the latter vacated to compete at super flyweight.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24][25] Ioka went on to announce his retirement at age 28 after getting married and reportedly falling out with his father and promoter, Kazunori Ioka.[26]

Super-flyweight[]

On New Year's Eve in 2018, Ioka fought four weight champion Donnie Nietes for the WBO super-flyweight title in an attempt to win a world title in a fourth weight class. Although many thought Ioka had done enough to win the fight, he controversially lost by split decision, with a 116–112 scorecard in his favor being overruled by 116–112 and 118–110 scorecards in favor of Nietes.[27]

WBO super-flyweight champion[]

In June 2019, Ioka fought Aston Palicte for the vacant WBO super flyweight title in his second attempt to become a four-weight champion. In the tenth round, after leading on all three judges' scorecards, Ioka scored a TKO victory to become the first Japanese boxer in history to win a major title in four weight classes.[28]

On New Year's Eve in 2019, Ioka fought undefeated Jeyvier Cintrón in his first defense of his WBO title, winning a twelve-round unanimous decision with two judges scoring the bout 116–112 and the third scoring it 115–113.[29]

Ioka made the second defense of his WBO title in an exciting fight against undefeated three weight champion and domestic foe Kosei Tanaka on New Year's Eve 2020 in Tokyo.[30] After a competitive first four rounds in which Tanaka was the aggressor and Ioka found success with counter punches, Ioka dropped his opponent in the fifth round with a counter left hook. With about a minute left in the sixth round, he again knocked Tanaka down. In the eighth round, Ioka caught his opponent with another hard counter left hook, and referee Michiaki Someya caught Tanaka before he could fall and waved off the fight, with Ioka retaining his WBO title via eighth-round technical knockout.[31]

On June 1, 2021, the WBO ordered Ioka to defend his super-flyweight title against their #2 contender in the division, former unified mini-flyweight champion Francisco Rodríguez Jr.[32] The bout between Ioka and Rodríguez took place on September 1, 2021 in Tokyo.[33] Ioka won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges awarding scores of 116–112 in his favor.[34]

Personal life[]

Ioka was born in Sakai, Osaka, and currently resides in Tokyo.[35]

In April 2021, reports surfaced that Ioka had failed a drug test and tested positive for marijuana, with the sample having been examined at length as part of an ongoing investigation with the National Police Agency as well as the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC).[36] Speaking on Ioka's behalf, his lawyer Masanao Hattori said that Ioka “strongly denies he has ever used” any form of cannabis, and suggested it could be attributed to the use of CBD oil.[37] On 19 May 2021, Ioka was cleared of all doping charges, as it emerged that the JBC had mishandled the samples, and they took responsibility for their poor sample management.[38][39]

Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary
29 fights 27 wins 2 losses
By knockout 15 0
By decision 12 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
30 N/A N/A Japan Ryoji Fukunaga N/A – (12) Dec 31, 2021 Japan Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Defending WBO super-flyweight title
29 Win 27–2 Mexico Francisco Rodríguez Jr. UD 12 Sep 1, 2021 Japan Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO super-flyweight title
28 Win 26–2 Japan Kosei Tanaka TKO 8 (12), 1:35 Dec 31, 2020 Japan Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO super-flyweight title
27 Win 25–2 Puerto Rico Jeyvier Cintrón UD 12 Dec 31, 2019 Japan Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO super-flyweight title
26 Win 24–2 Philippines Aston Palicte TKO 10 (12), 1:46 Jun 19, 2019 Japan Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan Won vacant WBO super-flyweight title
25 Loss 23–2 Philippines Donnie Nietes SD 12 Dec 31, 2018 Macau Wynn Palace, Macau, SAR For vacant WBO super-flyweight title
24 Win 23–1 Puerto Rico McWilliams Arroyo UD 10 Sep 8, 2018 United States The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBC Silver super-flyweight title
23 Win 22–1 Thailand Noknoi CP Freshmart UD 12 Apr 23, 2017 Japan Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA flyweight title
22 Win 21–1 Thailand Stamp Kiatniwat TKO 7 (12), 2:51 Dec 31, 2016 Japan Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan Retained WBA flyweight title
21 Win 20–1 Nicaragua Keyvin Lara KO 11 (12), 1:11 Jul 20, 2016 Japan Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
20 Win 19–1 Argentina Juan Carlos Reveco TKO 11 (12), 1:57 Dec 31, 2015 Japan Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
19 Win 18–1 Argentina Roberto Sosa UD 12 Sep 27, 2015 Japan Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) flyweight title
18 Win 17–1 Argentina Juan Carlos Reveco MD 12 Apr 22, 2015 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Won WBA (Regular) flyweight title
17 Win 16–1 Venezuela Jean Piero Pérez KO 5 (10), 2:09 Dec 31, 2014 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan
16 Win 15–1 Colombia Pablo Carrillo UD 10 Sep 16, 2014 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Loss 14–1 Thailand Amnat Ruenroeng SD 12 May 7, 2014 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan For IBF flyweight title
14 Win 14–0 Nicaragua Felix Alvarado UD 12 Dec 31, 2013 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
13 Win 13–0 Thailand Kwanthai Sithmorseng KO 7 (12), 2:18 Sep 11, 2013 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
12 Win 12–0 Thailand Wisanu Kokietgym KO 9 (12), 2:51 May 8, 2013 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Mexico Jos�� Alfredo Rodríguez TKO 6 (12), 2:50 Dec 31, 2012 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Won vacant WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title
10 Win 10–0 Japan Akira Yaegashi UD 12 Jun 20, 2012 Japan Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC mini-flyweight title;
Won WBA mini-flyweight title
9 Win 9–0 Thailand Yodgoen Tor Chalermchai TKO 1 (12), 1:38 Dec 31, 2011 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Retained WBC mini-flyweight title
8 Win 8–0 Mexico Juan Hernández UD 12 Aug 10, 2011 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBC mini-flyweight title
7 Win 7–0 Thailand Oleydong Sithsamerchai TKO 5 (12), 1:07 Feb 11, 2011 Japan World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan Won WBC mini-flyweight title
6 Win 6–0 Japan Masayoshi Segawa TKO 10 (10), 1:57 Oct 10, 2010 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Won vacant Japanese light-flyweight title
5 Win 5–0 Philippines Albert Alcoy TKO 9 (10), 1:57 Jul 25, 2010 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Indonesia Heri Amol UD 10 Apr 18, 2010 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Japan Takashi Kunishige UD 10 Dec 29, 2009 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Japan Hiroshi Matsumoto TKO 2 (8), 2:59 Jul 26, 2009 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Thailand Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo TKO 3 (6), 0:26 Apr 12, 2009 Japan Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "BoxRec: Ratings". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  2. ^ "Ratings". The Ring. Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  3. ^ "RANKINGS | Transnational Boxing Rankings Board". Retrieved 2020-12-20.
  4. ^ "Kazuto Ioka".
  5. ^ "Who is Kazuto Ioka?".
  6. ^ "Ioka defends against Chalermchai in WBC Strawweight title bout Saturday, December 31st". The Boxing Tribune. 2011-12-27. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Mark Ortega (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Decisions One-Eyed Akira Yaegashi In Minimumweight Title Tilt". Queensberry-Rules.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  9. ^ Jake Donovan (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Outlasts Akira Yaegashi In A War". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ 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.
  12. ^ 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)
  13. ^ Boxing - Ioka steps up to win WBA light-fly belt Yahoo Eurosport UK December 31, 2012
  14. ^ "Kazuto Ioka stops a game Jose Rodriguez in 6". 31 December 2012.
  15. ^ Kazuto Ioka relinquished his 108-pound belt http://www.wbanews.com/ February 28, 2014
  16. ^ "Amnat Ruenroeng hands Kazuto Ioka first loss by decision". The Ring. May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  17. ^ "Amnat Ruenroeng Takes Split Nod over Kazuto Ioka".
  18. ^ "Kazuto Ioka takes WBA flyweight title from Juan Carlos Reveco". ESPN. April 22, 2015.
  19. ^ "WBA orders Ioka vs Reveco rematch". World Boxing Association. May 20, 2015.
  20. ^ "Ioka vs. Sosa is Approved, but Winner Must Face Reveco".
  21. ^ http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1858663-dura-derrota-de-reveco-en-osaka-ante-ioka-kot-en-el-undecimo-round
  22. ^ "Juan Francisco Estrada Vacates the WBA Flyweight Crown".
  23. ^ "Kazuto Ioka Survives Knockdown, Stomps Stamp Kiatniwat in Seven".
  24. ^ "WBA flyweight champ Kazuto Ioka relinquishes title". 9 November 2017.
  25. ^ "Kazuto Ioka vacates WBA title, retirement rumoured".
  26. ^ "Kazuto Ioka retires at 28". 2 January 2018.
  27. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2018-12-31). "Nietes wins questionable decision over Ioka in Macau". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  28. ^ "BoxRec: Kazuto Ioka".
  29. ^ "BoxRec: Kazuto Ioka".
  30. ^ "Kazuto Ioka vs. Kosei Tanaka Set for New Year's Eve in Tokyo".
  31. ^ Christ, Scott (2020-12-31). "Ioka vs Tanaka results: Kazuto Ioka stops Kosei Tanaka in eighth round, retains WBO title". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  32. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2021-06-01). "WBO orders Kazuto Ioka to face Francisco Rodriguez Jr". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  33. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2021-06-22). "Kazuto Ioka vs Francisco Rodriguez Jr set for September 1st in Japan". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-08-04.
  34. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. "Kazuto Ioka retains super flyweight title with decision over Francisco Rodriguez Jr". badlefthook.com. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  35. ^ "BoxRec: Kazuto Ioka". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  36. ^ Donovan, Jake. "Kazuto Ioka Under Investigation By Japanese Boxing Commission Over Reported Positive Drug Test". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  37. ^ Giongco, Mark (2021-04-27). "Japanese champ Ioka tests positive for marijuana–report". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  38. ^ "Ioka cleared of doping offenses, JBC take responsibility for poor sample management". ASIAN BOXING. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  39. ^ Stumberg, Patrick L. (2021-05-19). "JBC clears Kazuto Ioka of doping charge after mishandling samples". Bad Left Hook. Retrieved 2021-05-19.

External links[]

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Ryo Miyazaki 		Japanese light-flyweight champion
October 10, 2010 – February 2011
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Masayuki Kuroda
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBC mini-flyweight champion
February 11, 2011 – June 30, 2012
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Xiong Chaozhong
Preceded by 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 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
Retrieved from ""