It speaks volumes about Kazuto Ioka’s fighting guts that he would drop his own world title to fight a direct rematch against reigning WBA super flyweight titleholder Joshua Franco at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on June 24.
On New Year’s Eve, Franco pushed Ioka to the limit and beyond in an entertaining 115-pound unification showdown at the very same Ota-City venue. After 12 rounds of action, the judges were unable to separate the pair with the bout scored a majority draw.
MORE: All you need to know about Joshua Franco vs. Kazuto Ioka 2
Ioka, many felt, was very lucky to retain his championship that night.
Shortly after the fight, the WBO ordered Ioka to face countryman and No. 1 challenger Junto Nakatani. However, given that there was unfinished business outstanding with Franco, the 34-year-old Ioka elected to relinquish his championship and face the San Antonio star once again.
In their first fight, it looked like Ioka had slipped a little. A professional for over 14 years, and a four-weight world champion, the Japanese star has contested 23 world title fights. That’s an incredible achievement but it’s also a lot of wear and tear on an aging fighter.
Can Ioka turn back the clock and produce one more vintage performance, or will the 27-year-old Franco prove to be too young and sharp?
Joshua Franco vs. Kazuto Ioka 2 betting odds
Per BetMGM, Ioka is the -110 favourite, while Franco is the +100 underdog.
Joshua Franco vs. Kazuto Ioka 2 betting trends???
The following odds are available at Betfair.
- Franco via KO/TKO: +600
- Franco via decision: +140
- Ioka via KO/TKO: +600
- Ioka via decision: +140
- Draw: +1400
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Joshua Franco vs. Kazuto Ioka 2 prediction, best bets
The two judges who scored the first fight 114-114 (6-6 in rounds) had a bad night. Even Stanley Christodoulou’s 115-113 (7-5) card that favoured Franco was too close for comfort.
Franco was finding Ioka with alarming regularity throughout and he looked like the superior fighter. So many of his shots were landing flush, and while Ioka gamely battled back, he came second in many of the exchanges.
It’s not beyond Ioka to turn things around. Last year, in the fifth defence of his WBO super flyweight title, the Japanese star avenged a 2018 loss to Donnie Nietes. The difference here is that Nietes was 40 years old and way past his best. Conversely, Franco is in the prime of his career, and timing is everything in boxing.
One would expect this rematch to unfold in a very similar fashion to the first meeting. Ioka will give it everything, but he won’t win more rounds than the defending champ, who will be treated with more respect on the scorecards this time around.
The Sporting News prediction: Franco (UD 12/ +140)