Philippines, 05 Nov 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Ring Officials Assigned: Jose Oliver Gomez Supervises Ioka vs Franco Dec 31 in Tokyo, Japan

PhilBoxing.com





Accomplished ring official Jose Oliver Gomez of Panama will supervise the Kazuto Ioka vs Joshua Franco Unified WBO-WBA super flyweight championship on December 31 in Tokyo, Japan.

Gomez - who serves advisor to WBA President Gilberto Mendoza - will lead the outstanding team of international officials assigned to the intriguing WBA/WBO super flyweight unification battle between 4-division world champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan and Mexican-American Joshua Franco, the fight that close the boxing calendar for 2022.

The referee in charge will be experienced referee lady Ms. Melva Santos of Puerto Rico; while the trio of veteran judges is comprised of Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand, Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa and Roberto Torres of Puerto Rico. Most of them have already arrived in The Land of the Rising Sun on time for Friday's weigh-in.



The skilled 33-year-old WBO Super Flyweight world champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2, 15) is together with undisputed bantamweight king Naoya Inoue the two most shinning stars in Japanese boxing.

Ioka's tradition of closing the year on New Year's eve with boxing has been hugely anticipated by fans for years, this year being a unification rumble makes the show even more exciting as Ioka's opponent WBA titlist Joshua Franco (18-1-2, 8 KO's) of San Antonio, Texas, is a talented younger fighter so much eager to take his boxing career to another level.

A win of Franco over Ioka in his homeland of Japan would do just that.

Will the popular veteran Kazuto Ioka have more than enough ring smarts, slick moves and boxing repertoire to deal with the fighting abilities of Franco, nicknamed "El Professor" for his fine class?

Who of the two warriors will emerge victorious and new unified WBA/WBO champion on New Year's Eve at the Ota City Gym?

Kazuto Ioka vs Joshua Franco is promoted by Takuya Kiya of Shisei Promotions live on TBS.

May the Best Man Win.




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Marcial-Colmenares Middleweight Bout Steals Show at Thrilla in Manila 50th Year (Part 1)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 04 Nov 2025
  • MATCHROOM BOXING ANNOUNCES HISTORIC ‘LIVE FROM GHANA’ EVENT FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20 AS CRAIG RICHARDS AND DAN AZEEZ COLLIDE IN ACCRA – LIVE WORLDWIDE ON DAZN
    , Tue, 04 Nov 2025
  • Bryce Mills Defeats James Bernadin  By Unanimous Decision
    , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • NBA Daily: Wembanyama Struggles as Suns Give Spurs First Loss 130-118
    By Reylan Loberternos, , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • Oklahoma City Thunder the only undefeated NBA Team
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • RP Blu Boys Close Out Strong with Unbeaten Record in Japan Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • Pero Outlasts Thompson in Orlando, Secures Unanimous Decision Victory
    , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • Jonas Magpantay Crowned Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Champion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 03 Nov 2025
  • Jonas Magpantay reaches Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Finals
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • Pistons defeated Mavericks in NBA Game 34 in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • GM Antonio finishes 14th in World Senior Standard event
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • NONITO DONAIRE FIGHTS SEIYA TSUTSUMI FOR THE WBA BANTAMWEIGHT TITLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • Luka Dončić Equals Wilt Chamberlain’s Historic Scoring Feat
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA II RESULTS: JERUSALEM, TAPALES, MARCIAL LEAD WINNERS
    By Eric Armit, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • Last Pinoy Standing: Jonas Magpantay marches into semis in Qatar World Cup 10-Ball
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 02 Nov 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NIGHT OF KNOCKOUTS XXXVII AT MOTORCITY CASINO HOTEL
    , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • 3 Filipinos Reach Qatar World Cup 10-Ball Last 16, Biado Out
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • Joshua Buatsi vs Zack Parker Headlines Manchester Show on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • NBA Referees will wear headsets during NBA games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • PERO, THOMPSON READY FOR ORLANDO SHOWDOWN SATURDAY NIGHT
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • South Cotabato overall champ in Batang Pinoy boxing meet
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • Bernardino to play in Malaysia and France chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • Make way for the Philippines' oldest active chess player
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 01 Nov 2025
  • Canada High: Mikaela Mayer Wins Unified Super Welterweight Crown
    , Fri, 31 Oct 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Great Virtues of Champions
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 31 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.