WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka 28-2 (15) is out for revenge when he faces former world champion Donnie Nietes 43-1-6 (23) at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday night.
Ioka dropped a split decision to Nietes back in December 2018 by scores of 112-116, 110-118 and 116-112. It is a fight Ioka remembers well.
“He was a very tough and smart fighter,” the 33-year-old Ioka told The Ring. “He moves well and counters very good.
“But I don’t recall being hit hard or getting in trouble, so I believe I can go after him more aggressively this time. His punching power is not as explosive as other fighters I have fought recently. I will look to exploit him with my own counters.”
At 40 years old Nietes could be considered ancient by the standards of the lighter weight classes, but with just one loss on his ledger it is hard not to give the Filipino his respect.
“Although people are saying Nietes is old now, I do not think so,” Ioka said. “I expect the same Nietes from last time.
“This time, I have the advantage going into the fight in terms of being active. But I think he has had time to get himself back in proper condition.”
Japan’s Ioka has established himself as one of the best operators in the 115-pound division following his eighth-round knockout victory over previously undefeated young gun Kosei Tanaka 17-1 (10) on New Years Eve 2020. The Ring ranks him at number three behind only Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez 51-3 (41) and their champion Juan Francisco Estrada 42-3 (28).
The publication rates Nietes their number nine contender.
If Nietes manages to pull off the upset, his promoter Richard Shaefer of Probellum believes his charge will pursue unification bouts to close out his career. That would mean facing either WBA boss Estrada, newly minted WBC king Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez 16-0 (11) or the IBF’s Fernando ‘Pumita’ Martinez 14-0 (8).
“Boxing is like an addiction and it’s very difficult for fighters to let go,” Schaefer said.
“And when you do become world champion again at age 40, who is going to stop you?
“Who is going to tell you that you cannot go and try to pursue a unification fight?
“For a long time, the lower weight classes were the neglected but now that has changed, and today, they are extremely popular with fight fans and networks.
“It’s the right time to be in those weight classes and would I not be surprised if Donnie, once he’s world champion again, says: ‘Hey, I might as well add a few more titles.’”
