Philippines, 15 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Fernando Martínez defeats Kazuto Ioka in Japan to unify belts in historic victory for Argentine boxing


PhilBoxing.com




Undefeated Argentinian sensation Fernando Martínez (17-0, 9 KOs) unified the WBA and IBF super flyweight belts by putting up a grueling battle with the skilled legendary Japanese four-time champion and a candidate for the Canastota International Hall of Fame, Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs) winning a historic unanimous decision (116-112, 117-111 and 120-108) in twelve rounds in a great fight on Sunday, July 7 at the legendary iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan, the sumo gym in Tokyo, Japan.

Martínez, 32, was more aggressive, while Ioka, 35, was more technical, with counterattacks and body shots. The Argentine's abundant resistance was astonishing, as he withstood Ioka's persistent body bombardments and responded furiously with attacks from above. They continued to trade solid blows from start to finish and completely entertained the audience.

Martínez could have an immediate rematch with Kazuto Ioka and stated that he wants to face Jesse 'Bam' Rodríguez in another unification fight.

Martínez, a resident of the neighborhood of the iconic Boca Juniors soccer team, entered the Ryogoku Kokugikan, with the blue and yellow flags of the Argentine Xeneixe along with those of Argentina and made history by being the fourth Argentine boxer to win a world boxing championship in Japan by joining legends: Pascual Perez, Horacio Accavallo and Nicolino Locche and also becoming only the fourth Argentine boxer to be a unified world champion along with other legends such as: Carlos Monzón, Hugo Corro and Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez.

As for the score of 120-108 (The 12 rounds for Martínez) of the American judge Edward Hernandez with about 709 professional boxing matches, it is respected but at the same time it again leaves doubt and questions about the judges' scores and even more so when the other two saw 8 rounds for Martinez and 4 for Ioka (Jean Pierre Van Imschoot of Belgium) 9 Martinez and 3 Ioka (Stanley Christodoulou of South Africa).


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THAI SIMSRI READY FOR CHRISTIAN ARANETA IN IBF WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN THURSDAY IN JAPAN; WILL THE CEBUANO “BOMB” STOP HIM?
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Pinoy Power! Pacquiao, Donaire, and Araneta Ready to Shine in World Title Fights
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • “PROSPECTS COLLIDE” TAKES CENTER STAGE
    , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire Favorite to Beat Andrés Campos for WBA Interim World Title; Both Men Make Weight Ready in Argentina!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • PROSPECTS COLLIDE OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Hitchins vs. Kambosos: Can George Be More Than A Faded Name?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Four Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Matches on Day Three of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NEW YORK: HITCHINS - 140 LBS., KAMBOSOS - 139.4 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Gaviola to face Narukami in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao Steps Up Training
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Balla stops Cabalquinto in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Eight-year-old Marius Constante sweeps 5-round chess fest in Cebu
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and Top Lightweight Contender Edwin De Los Santos Part Ways Amicably
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Unification WBA & IBA Pro title fight Albert Batyrgaziev vs James Dickens to crown boxing show in Istanbul on 2 July
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • How the Ring's P4P Ranking Has Strayed from the Norms of Nat and Nigel
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM HITCHINS VS. KAMBOSOS JR
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS UNVEILS REMAINING PRELIMINARY CARD BOUTS FOR JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier: Leading Philippine Softball’s Unstoppable Rise to International Dominance
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Team USA Sends Seven Boxers to the Medal Rounds Thursday at World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jerusalem, Taduran 1-2 at Minimumweight; Llover Enters Bantam in Ring's Latest Ratings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • July 26: Rohan Polanco-Quinton Randall Welterweight Showdown Tops Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia Undercard at The Theater at Madison Square Garden
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Weekend at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire to fight again, faces Campos on June 14
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Cabalquinto Set to Face Australian Balla on Maniatis Card
    , Thu, 12 Jun 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.