Philippines, 30 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Kazuto Ioka Outclasses, Defeats Donnie Nietes in Japan


PhilBoxing.com




Japanese 4-division world champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15 KO's) outboxed and dominated veteran Pinoy warrior Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (43-2-6, 23 KO’s) for a successful 5th defense of his WBO Super Flyweight World Title tonight (July 13) at the Ota-City Gym in Tokyo, Japan.

Unanimous scores in favor of Kazuto Ioka say it all: 120-108, 117-111 and 118-110.

The 40-year-old Nietes, put his heart and his best effort in the battle, but was completely bested by the younger Japanese world champion in clear decisive fashion, which prompts fans to ponder what could the future for the popular "Ahas" be?

Should the affable, much appreciated, superbly talented Donnie "Ahas" Nietes continue fighting? Or is it time to call it a career (a brilliant, starry career?)

Ioka, on the other hand, not only made a successful 5th defense of the WBO super flyweight crown he won by knocking out Filipino Aston Palicte three years ago, but also got sweet revenge for the close split decision loss that he suffered at the hands of Nietes in late 2018 in Macao.

This time around, it was Ioka the one warrior to come out victorious, reasserting himself as one of the top 115-pounders in the world, together with Nicaraguan star “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and young Mexican-American WBC champ Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (who 3 weeks ago knocked out Srisaket Sor Rungvisai).

The 33 year-old Japanese star was guided in his corner by renown Cuban coach Ismael Salas.

And now the question is:

What tough and experienced super flyweight fighter should Kazuto Ioka defend title against next?

Jerwin?

Sounds so good in theory, although he don’t know if the 30 year-old “Pretty Boy” still feels OK and strong fighting at 115 lbs, or if he needs to go up to 118, or what his plans are?

Jerwin is WBO #4 to the title of Kazuto. Meanwhile, unbeaten 27 year-old Cebuano KJ Cararaja (14-0, 12 KO’s), a former ALA fighter is WBO #10.

Some day I’d love to see Kazuto Ioka vs Jerwin “Pretty Boy” Ancajas for a world title.

Because I think it would be a brilliant tactical fight of superb quality. Will it one day happen? Time will tell.

The author Carlos Costa can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • ‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
    , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 Jan 2026
  • Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
    , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 29 Jan 2026
  • TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
    , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 28 Jan 2026
  • Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • “It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Long Boxing Journey settles in New Bedford, MA for Junior Featherweight prospect Joshua Alvarado
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Steph Curry is 19th leading scorer of the NBA
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.