(Boxing) Kazuto Ioka vs Joshua Boxing Match Begins 31 December 2022

[coin-investor]

In terms of weighing in the boxers that they fought in their entire career, I see that Ioka does have a better lineup of opponents compared to Franco.

Although it doesn't mean that Ioka should be tougher as Franco is also a champion and to reach that stage is tough work.

I just wonder why some of the Japanese top boxers always fight in Japan and not considering to fight outside their country. Who's responsible for that?

The smaller weight classes are often dominated by Asian fighters so there is not a lot of interest in these divisions in the United States and Europe. There is not really an incentive to fight outside of their country. Inoue has had a few fights in the United States but as good as he is he is not really that popular over there.

The Japanese promoters have enough money to get the fight held in their backyard for their boxers, and of course, they want to serve their boxing community in their country so they want their best Japanese fighters to do their fight here in their backyard, of course, to get support from the home crowds, the smaller weight classes may not be popular in the US but some of the best fighters are on these or have been on these divisions like Inoue and Manny Pacquiao and Donaire and they are and once part of the ring magazine boxers of the year.

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[inthelongrun]

In terms of weighing in the boxers that they fought in their entire career, I see that Ioka does have a better lineup of opponents compared to Franco.

Although it doesn't mean that Ioka should be tougher as Franco is also a champion and to reach that stage is tough work.

I just wonder why some of the Japanese top boxers always fight in Japan and not considering to fight outside their country. Who's responsible for that?

The smaller weight classes are often dominated by Asian fighters so there is not a lot of interest in these divisions in the United States and Europe. There is not really an incentive to fight outside of their country. Inoue has had a few fights in the United States but as good as he is he is not really that popular over there.

The Japanese promoters have enough money to get the fight held in their backyard for their boxers, and of course, they want to serve their boxing community in their country so they want their best Japanese fighters to do their fight here in their backyard, of course, to get support from the home crowds, the smaller weight classes may not be popular in the US but some of the best fighters are on these or have been on these divisions like Inoue and Manny Pacquiao and Donaire and they are and once part of the ring magazine boxers of the year.

I agree. If Japanese promoters have huge budgets then they can easily host their fighters' events. Back then, Japanese promoters like Teiken are handling foreign fighters too like Chocolatito Gonzales and Jorge Linares. Now it is declining but still, they have enough money to cover their fighters in order to stop them from visiting their opponents' backyards.

Actually, the super-flyweight division is currently popular in the US too. Chocolatito Gonzales and El Gallo Estrada are main-event fighters in the US over the years. So hopefully the winner of this unification will face Estrada (WBC) or Martinez (fresh from beating Jerwin Ancajas in their rematch) either in Japan or in the US for the undisputed belts. Hopefully, Martinez won't hide his IBF belt in Argentina.

[Baofeng]

In terms of weighing in the boxers that they fought in their entire career, I see that Ioka does have a better lineup of opponents compared to Franco.

Although it doesn't mean that Ioka should be tougher as Franco is also a champion and to reach that stage is tough work.

I just wonder why some of the Japanese top boxers always fight in Japan and not considering to fight outside their country. Who's responsible for that?

The smaller weight classes are often dominated by Asian fighters so there is not a lot of interest in these divisions in the United States and Europe. There is not really an incentive to fight outside of their country. Inoue has had a few fights in the United States but as good as he is he is not really that popular over there.

The Japanese promoters have enough money to get the fight held in their backyard for their boxers, and of course, they want to serve their boxing community in their country so they want their best Japanese fighters to do their fight here in their backyard, of course, to get support from the home crowds, the smaller weight classes may not be popular in the US but some of the best fighters are on these or have been on these divisions like Inoue and Manny Pacquiao and Donaire and they are and once part of the ring magazine boxers of the year.

I agree. If Japanese promoters have huge budgets then they can easily host their fighters' events. Back then, Japanese promoters like Teiken are handling foreign fighters too like Chocolatito Gonzales and Jorge Linares. Now it is declining but still, they have enough money to cover their fighters in order to stop them from visiting their opponents' backyards.

Yeah, even the famed Teiken boxing gym is now a relic in Japan if I'm not mistaken, other gyms are taking over. I guess for Japanese fighter to be really known overseas, they have to get out and find a US counter part promotional company just like what Naoya Inoue did with signing with Top Rank.

Actually, the super-flyweight division is currently popular in the US too. Chocolatito Gonzales and El Gallo Estrada are main-event fighters in the US over the years. So hopefully the winner of this unification will face Estrada (WBC) or Martinez (fresh from beating Jerwin Ancajas in their rematch) either in Japan or in the US for the undisputed belts. Hopefully, Martinez won't hide his IBF belt in Argentina.

It's possible, specially if they have boxers in the super-flyweight that can match against Estrada and Martinez and have it either in Japan or US.

I guess it's a dream for boxers as well to travel to Japan and have that experience fighting in a different soil because that's how tough boxers are build. Traveling to the opponents backyard and hand them a beating.

[Saisher]

I guess it's a dream for boxers as well to travel to Japan and have that experience fighting in a different soil because that's how tough boxers are build. Traveling to the opponents backyard and hand them a beating.

But not when you're fighting Inoue, Donaire learn it the hard way, but we have a lot of Filipinos who beat the best Japan can offer
one of these is Nietes who has done it many times in the past, Japanese promoters offer the best deal to entice boxers to come to Japan and fight there, they are capable of holding big fights, and its good that a lot of good boxers are carrying the torch of representing the Asian regions in World class boxing, Japanese, Filipinos, and Thailanders are three countries with the best boxers in the lower weight class.

[Baofeng]

Fresh from his final trilogy win against Chocolatito, Juan Francisco Estrada will be watching this fight because he wants to fight the winner and unify the belts,

“Ioka is a great fighter. He’s a four-division champion. Joshua Franco is a terrific fighter who is on the rise," Estrada told BoxingScene.com. “Honestly, I’d fight either one, so whoever wins is fine.”

“Ever since I was at flyweight, I’ve always wanted to fight Ioka. I would love to unify against him because that’s the fight I’ve wanted longer."

https://www.boxingscene.com/estrada-on-ioka-franco-whoever-wins-fine-love-unify-against-ioka--171449

So Estrada is looking for another war, winner of this fight. Ioka is still the favorite in this fight and if ever he wins here, for sure he will be obliged to fight Estrada as well, so the feeling is mutual. So let's see, everyone should be excited to see this fight with Franco but and it seems that Ioka is the favorite but not gonna be easy for him as Franco is also durable and might bring everything he can in this fight to try to pull an upset and derail his plans on Estrada.

[bisdak40]

So Estrada is looking for another war, winner of this fight. Ioka is still the favorite in this fight and if ever he wins here, for sure he will be obliged to fight Estrada as well, so the feeling is mutual. So let's see, everyone should be excited to see this fight with Franco but and it seems that Ioka is the favorite but not gonna be easy for him as Franco is also durable and might bring everything he can in this fight to try to pull an upset and derail his plans on Estrada.

Agree on this one bro. Personally, I just felt that there is something lacking in the style of Ioka, though he won against Ancajas but still he did not impressed me yet maybe if he could bet Franco, he could get my nod hehe but definitely Ioka is not the same level as Estrada or Chocolatito Gonzales.



I think Franco will upset today's festivity in Japan.

[bisdak40]

Lost my bet on this fight as the result was a majority draw, the scores were 115-113 for Franco while the other two judges give a typical 114-114 score.

Have not watched the fight live, only the highlights but seeing the comments that Franco was robbed, i think they have some reason to cry because Japan is known for its hometown decision (at least for me). If you want to win in Japan, you need to KO your opponent.

[coin-investor]

Lost my bet on this fight as the result was a majority draw, the scores were 115-113 for Franco while the other two judges give a typical 114-114 score.

Have not watched the fight live, only the highlights but seeing the comments that Franco was robbed, i think they have some reason to cry because Japan is known for its hometown decision (at least for me). If you want to win in Japan, you need to KO your opponent.

I checked the highlight of the fight and the fight may be too close but there was some point that Franco is dominating Ioka it was Franco who was strong with more jabs and Ioka relied on counterpunches, the fight was too close but I have Franco winning based on my observation, this is the kind of fight where no boxers totally dominated the fight, not to disappoint the crowd because its a championship they score it a draw, but yes it's hard to fight in Japan you must totally dominate your Japanese opponent like what Nietes did or knock out your opponent.

[Jawhead999]

I'm surprised why the fight ended as draw since Joshua has an edge over Ioka.

Ioka didn't really successful to play in defensive style and counter punch, there's many times Joshua's punch hit his face. If we count based on the total punch and domination, Joshua is win, while based on the clean punch, I'd say both of them are have same result. I think the score should be 115-113 favor on Joshua just like Christodoulou's scorecard. Does this result will change since it's quite controversial? just like Casimero vs Akaho

[aioc]

I'm surprised why the fight ended as draw since Joshua has an edge over Ioka.

Ioka didn't really successful to play in defensive style and counter punch, there's many times Joshua's punch hit his face. If we count based on the total punch and domination, Joshua is win, while based on the clean punch, I'd say both of them are have same result. I think the score should be 115-113 favor on Joshua just like Christodoulou's scorecard. Does this result will change since it's quite controversial? just like Casimero vs Akaho

It's unlikely that it will be changed, the judges' decisions are always final although there are exceptions like the fighter totally dominated the fight and even knock his opponents down and still lose we don't see these in this fight, there could be a rematch and done in a neutral ground like in Nevada.
For me, fight could have been won by Franco even by split so they can file a complaint for a rematch if they want it and the fight is held in Franco's country.

[btc_angela]

I'm surprised why the fight ended as draw since Joshua has an edge over Ioka.

Ioka didn't really successful to play in defensive style and counter punch, there's many times Joshua's punch hit his face. If we count based on the total punch and domination, Joshua is win, while based on the clean punch, I'd say both of them are have same result. I think the score should be 115-113 favor on Joshua just like Christodoulou's scorecard. Does this result will change since it's quite controversial? just like Casimero vs Akaho

Yeah, in my eyes it in very close but I think Franco should have won the fight by that score in my card. The thing is that he went to Ioka's home town and it's going to be very difficult to win unless it is a clear victory to win that the judges can't do anything but to award the win for him.

And I also doesn't think that they will reverse this decision, it's a sanction bout so the best that they can do is order for a rematch in a neutral country and see how it goes. We can't call it a robbery because there is no winner, but it's quite controversial at the end of year decision in boxing.

[robelneo]

And I also doesn't think that they will reverse this decision, it's a sanction bout so the best that they can do is order for a rematch in a neutral country and see how it goes. We can't call it a robbery because there is no winner, but it's quite controversial at the end of year decision in boxing.

It's a draw and I doubt they are going to reverse that, its a bad precedent and will cast doubts on the integrity of the two judges, it's better to have a rematch, Franco can opt to have that because he won on one judge, there's always a hometown decision if the fight is close, you have to totally dominate the fight or knock your opponent out if you are fighting in your opponent soil, this is what Haney did on the two occasions he beat Kambosos, he silenced the crowd and shut down opposition by dominating the fight from start to finish.

[Jating]

I look at the compubox numbers and it seems that it is also close, Franco throws a lot of punch, but Ioka is more consistent.

Nevertheless, since this is Japan so expect some biases judge in favor of the hometown hero. I know it's kinda disappointed to see a fight end in a draw with no winner and both keeping the belts, but the judge score is final here and will not be reverse in my opinion. Good fight though to end the year and most likely there could be a rematch so settle once and for all the winner between this two warriors.

[klidex]

I'm surprised why the fight ended as draw since Joshua has an edge over Ioka.

Ioka didn't really successful to play in defensive style and counter punch, there's many times Joshua's punch hit his face. If we count based on the total punch and domination, Joshua is win, while based on the clean punch, I'd say both of them are have same result. I think the score should be 115-113 favor on Joshua just like Christodoulou's scorecard. Does this result will change since it's quite controversial? just like Casimero vs Akaho

It's unlikely that it will be changed, the judges' decisions are always final although there are exceptions like the fighter totally dominated the fight and even knock his opponents down and still lose we don't see these in this fight, there could be a rematch and done in a neutral ground like in Nevada.
For me, fight could have been won by Franco even by split so they can file a complaint for a rematch if they want it and the fight is held in Franco's country.

The referee's decision is always final and nothing can interfere with contesting from both sides of the fighter.
Even though the decision is considered unfair, in a match it is the judges who determine the points and victory, unless the match ends by TAKE KO then it is clear who the winner is.
Usually, arguments and discussions on unfair referee decisions will occur after the match is over and the losing fighter will appeal for a rematch.

[Russlenat]

I look at the compubox numbers and it seems that it is also close, Franco throws a lot of punch, but Ioka is more consistent.

Nevertheless, since this is Japan so expect some biases judge in favor of the hometown hero. I know it's kinda disappointed to see a fight end in a draw with no winner and both keeping the belts, but the judge score is final here and will not be reverse in my opinion. Good fight though to end the year and most likely there could be a rematch so settle once and for all the winner between this two warriors.

Fans are not happy, you can read in the comments on social media that they are disappointed with the result, Franco should have won the fight but they didn't give it to him. His mistake is that he was not able to knock him out, there should be no controversy if that happened.

As they say, it's a home court advantage, so as a visitor, he needs to be extremely good to win a match.

[Baofeng]

I look at the compubox numbers and it seems that it is also close, Franco throws a lot of punch, but Ioka is more consistent.

Nevertheless, since this is Japan so expect some biases judge in favor of the hometown hero. I know it's kinda disappointed to see a fight end in a draw with no winner and both keeping the belts, but the judge score is final here and will not be reverse in my opinion. Good fight though to end the year and most likely there could be a rematch so settle once and for all the winner between this two warriors.

Fans are not happy, you can read in the comments on social media that they are disappointed with the result, Franco should have won the fight but they didn't give it to him. His mistake is that he was not able to knock him out, there should be no controversy if that happened.

As they say, it's a home court advantage, so as a visitor, he needs to be extremely good to win a match.

Yeah, that's why as I said, if you are going to travel and fight on a hostile environment, be sure to knock your opponent out to not give the chance to lose on a the judges hand. And this really what happen to Franco here, numbers don't lie, but the judges didn't see this going the fight, or maybe they see that the local Kazuto Ioka is losing the fight so the best thing they can do is to make the score very close and make it a draw so that there will be no uproar in the social media. But it was the opposite since the fans saw the fight, the same fight that the judges saw and yet the score is very much different and controversial. And we felt sorry for Franco because we did everything he can in this fight, but unfortunately since he is the visitor, there's no way that the judges are going to award him the win. Two controversial fights in Asia as we close the show for boxing in 2022, one in Casimero vs Akaho which fortunately, was overturn, and this one. But I doubt that there will be changes in the record, a rematch should happen next but it should be in the US.

[fortunecrypto]

I look at the compubox numbers and it seems that it is also close, Franco throws a lot of punch, but Ioka is more consistent.

Nevertheless, since this is Japan so expect some biases judge in favor of the hometown hero. I know it's kinda disappointed to see a fight end in a draw with no winner and both keeping the belts, but the judge score is final here and will not be reverse in my opinion. Good fight though to end the year and most likely there could be a rematch so settle once and for all the winner between this two warriors.

Fans are not happy, you can read in the comments on social media that they are disappointed with the result, Franco should have won the fight but they didn't give it to him. His mistake is that he was not able to knock him out, there should be no controversy if that happened.

As they say, it's a home court advantage, so as a visitor, he needs to be extremely good to win a match.

In boxing hometown decisions always have an impact, especially in championship bouts where the match is too close, the two judges who scored the fight a draw could have given the match to Ioka if the match is too close to call and could go either way but it's not, I think Franco won 1 or two rounds but to please their host they marked it a draw and so both fighters will keep their respective title, but it's obvious from the perspective of the audience that the fight should have gone to Franco, it's better for them to have a rematch in a neutral ground so they can unite the title if Franco file a protest there's a possibility of an immediate rematch.

[AmoreJaz]

I look at the compubox numbers and it seems that it is also close, Franco throws a lot of punch, but Ioka is more consistent.

Nevertheless, since this is Japan so expect some biases judge in favor of the hometown hero. I know it's kinda disappointed to see a fight end in a draw with no winner and both keeping the belts, but the judge score is final here and will not be reverse in my opinion. Good fight though to end the year and most likely there could be a rematch so settle once and for all the winner between this two warriors.

Fans are not happy, you can read in the comments on social media that they are disappointed with the result, Franco should have won the fight but they didn't give it to him. His mistake is that he was not able to knock him out, there should be no controversy if that happened.

As they say, it's a home court advantage, so as a visitor, he needs to be extremely good to win a match.

In boxing hometown decisions always have an impact, especially in championship bouts where the match is too close, the two judges who scored the fight a draw could have given the match to Ioka if the match is too close to call and could go either way but it's not, I think Franco won 1 or two rounds but to please their host they marked it a draw and so both fighters will keep their respective title, but it's obvious from the perspective of the audience that the fight should have gone to Franco, it's better for them to have a rematch in a neutral ground so they can unite the title if Franco file a protest there's a possibility of an immediate rematch.

if they will have a rematch, should not be in Japan as you said, should be in the neutral ground. seems that there was bit of a bias regarding the results. though the judges were from south africa, new zealand and puerto rico.  franco may have won if it was not in japan. maybe.
if they will schedule a rematch, much better if it will be this year or next year. a KO would surely give a clear winner next time around.

[Botnake]

if they will have a rematch, should not be in Japan as you said, should be in the neutral ground. seems that there was bit of a bias regarding the results. though the judges were from south africa, new zealand and puerto rico.  franco may have won if it was not in japan. maybe.
if they will schedule a rematch, much better if it will be this year or next year. a KO would surely give a clear winner next time around.

True, that is to prevent from what happened in this fight, a rematch is necessary because the fans are not convinced with the judges decision, Franco should have won the fight, and instead of complaining about the result, maybe a rematch is the best thing to do to determine the real winner.

[Jating]

if they will have a rematch, should not be in Japan as you said, should be in the neutral ground. seems that there was bit of a bias regarding the results. though the judges were from south africa, new zealand and puerto rico.  franco may have won if it was not in japan. maybe.
if they will schedule a rematch, much better if it will be this year or next year. a KO would surely give a clear winner next time around.

True, that is to prevent from what happened in this fight, a rematch is necessary because the fans are not convinced with the judges decision, Franco should have won the fight, and instead of complaining about the result, maybe a rematch is the best thing to do to determine the real winner.

Yes, I do agree, it shouldn't be in Japan wherein Ioka is very much comfortable or at least we don't want to see another biased scoring from the judges. Might better if this is held in the US and so it will be the other way around and we will see if Ioka is that good even fighting in a place wherein he is not comfortable. Franco is the victim here so hopefully he will be the one to choose the venue and hopefully this will be in US. The best thing to do to really determine who is the winner of this fight is to have a rematch and for sure this 2 fighters want that to happen.