Kazuto Ioka gets his revenge over rival Donnie Nietes
On July 13 in Tokyo, the reigning WBO super-flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15KO) scored a technically brilliant, wide 12-round unanimous decision win over former conqueror Donnie Nietes (43-2-6, 23KO), becoming one of only two people in history to have ever inflicted a defeat on Filipino legend. The first reverse was against an opponent who weighed in well over the agreed limit way back in 2004, so the Japanese 33 year old's victory is far more legitimate and credible.
These two met before, in December 2018, with Nietes prevailing by way of a split decision to snatch the vacant WBO strap, but this time it was a totally different fight, as Ioka was in almost complete command throughout. The wide scores of 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111 truly indicate how dominant Ioka’s winning performance was in his fifth successful world title defence and sixth successive win.
Recently, fans were treated to a mid-week match which was another Japan vs Philippines battle, netween 'Monster' Naoya Inoue and 'The Filipino Flash' Nonito Donaire, which was explosive and electric for the short four and half minutes it lasted, but this fight today couldn't have been any more different.
This was very much one for the boxing purists, with the technically brilliant Ioka boxing brilliantly, like a true champion, for the entire contest. Challenger Nietes wasn’t ever aggressive enough, throwing and landing only the occasionally good shot, such as his uppercut.
The champion controlled the fight with his effective jab throughout the contest which was mostly fought at long range. There were no real thrills, nor was there an especially standout round, but Ioka’s class was something to see. Nietes was cut quite badly over the left eye, this in the 10th round.
At the advanced age of 40, veteran fighter Nietes fought a good, defensive fight, but this was not enough as the challenger to help take back the title he had previously vacated.
Confident from the off, Ioka knew he had the fight in the bag very early and he boxed sensibly and cleverly throughout the championship rounds. The result was never in doubt after the final bell rung.
Inevitably, Ioka now aims to unify the 115 pound belts, which would mean exciting clashes with the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.
At 33, Ioka looks as good as ever. His only other career loss came way back in May 2014, when Ioka, in his 15th pro fight, lost a split decision to Amnat Ruenroeng. Since the other split decision loss to Nietes, Ioka has now won six in a row.
