Ioka and Martinez unify next Sunday in Tokyo  – World Boxing Association

Kazuto Ioka and Fernando Martinez will step into the ring of the Kokugikan arena, in Tokyo, Japan, to dispute the unification of the World Boxing Association (WBA) and IBF super flyweight titles next Sunday. 

The Japanese is the owner of the WBA belt, while the Argentinean holds the IBF belt and they will enter in a great duel of champions for both crowns. 

Ioka will go to the second defense of his belt, which he won on June 24, 2023 against Joshua Franco in Tokyo. The Japanese fighter returned to the ring last December 31 to face Venezuelan Josber Perez, whom he also defeated to retain his title. 

Now his opponent will be the undefeated 32-year-old Argentinean, who has been champion since February 26, 2022, when he defeated Jerwin Ancajas by unanimous decision in Las Vegas. He first defended against the same opponent in October 2022 and had a second defense in Minneapolis against Jade Bornea, whom he knocked out in 11 rounds.

Ioka has a record of 31 wins, 2 setbacks, 1 draw and 16 knockouts, while Martinez is undefeated with 16 wins, 9 of them before the limit.