Kazuto Ioka vs. Akira Yaegashi RBR

[J Griz 757]

Originally Posted by IntentionalButt

I thought he lost clearly, but he did show a lot of poise in the face of some very heavy & awkward pressure...stood up to some ferocious head and body shots...and closed the show by nutting up and convincingly taking the 12th with an extremely high work rate in spite of his fatigue.

Yea from what I read the 12th seemed to secure the win for Ioka.

I'm deff gonna go back and watch this one and see what my scorecard looks like. At least in a fight this close it's hard for everyone to scream robbery.

[IntentionalButt]

I bolted out the door as soon as the cards were read out for Ioka, so I don't know if TBS wound up airing it on tape delay (or as highlights)...but Ryo Mizaki had earlier won a unanimous decision over Michael Landero to retain his Pacific light flyweight title.

I kind of regret not seeing that live, but again it was a real treat to see the classic Tatsuyoshi vs. Yakushiji and see their reactions to it as they revisited the footage side by side many years later - and to comprehend the significance of them sitting and commenting at ringside.

No matter whom you scored it for, it's safe to say that Ioka and Yaegashi did their forebears proud in this 2nd-ever all-Japanese world title unification.

[sadlittleboy]

Originally Posted by IntentionalButt

I bolted out the door as soon as the cards were read out for Ioka, so I don't know if TBS wound up airing it on tape delay (or as highlights)...but Ryo Mizaki had earlier won a unanimous decision over Michael Landero to retain his Pacific light flyweight title.

I kind of regret not seeing that live, but again it was a real treat to see the classic Tatsuyoshi vs. Yakushiji and see their reactions to it as they revisited the footage side by side many years later - and to comprehend the significance of them sitting and commenting at ringside.

No matter whom you scored it for, it's safe to say that Ioka and Yaegashi did their forebears proud in this 2nd-ever all-Japanese world title unification.

Kyotaro Fujimoto stopped Clarence Tillman on the undercard too! Waaaar Kyotaro!

[Samurai's Slice]

Damn this stuff is on too early, Gonna have to find a video of it, Good fights in Japan just living in the USA the time difference is terrible.

[PIPO23]

Originally Posted by PinoyProdigy

wow, bring on Denver Cuello, Ioka's mando. He'll avenge Yaegashi's tremendous performance!

I seen Cuello KTFO that Mexican kid in 2 rounds but was not impressed with his skills. He is too wild misses his punches. If Ioka boxes him Marquez style. I can definitely see a stoppage or wide UD in favor if IOKA. Cuello has to KO ioka in Japan. I don't see it.

[Drew101]

I knew this was going to be awesome, and it was, from the sound of it.

Will definitely have to check this out on YT when it's uploaded. Be interesting to see if Ioka targets Gonzalez if/when he moves up. That would make for an interesting fight, to say the least.

As for Yaegashi, I don't think this result really hurts him too badly. I can see him easily being in a position to claim one of the two belts should Ioka move

[Badbot]

Originally Posted by Samurai's Slice

Damn this stuff is on too early, Gonna have to find a video of it, Good fights in Japan just living in the USA the time difference is terrible.

It was perfect for me.

[Badbot]

Originally Posted by Drew101

I knew this was going to be awesome, and it was, from the sound of it.

Will definitely have to check this out on YT when it's uploaded. Be interesting to see if Ioka targets Gonzalez if/when he moves up. That would make for an interesting fight, to say the least.

As for Yaegashi, I don't think this result really hurts him too badly. I can see him easily being in a position to claim one of the two belts should Ioka move

The winner must drop one of the belts in a week.

[Diagoras]

Full fight here:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Boxing Fanatic]

thanks dawg

[Nonito Smoak]

Originally Posted by Diagoras

Full fight here:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Thank you sir.

R - Ioka/Yaegashi

1 - 9/10
2 - 9/10
3 - 10/9
4 - 9/10
5 - 9/10
6 - 10/9
7 - 10/9
8 - 9/10
9 - 10/9
10 - 9/10
11 - 10/9
12 - 10/9

Total - 114-114 Draw

Very impressed by both guys, showing their skills and class. Yaegashi's pressure was effective more often than not and he was good at countering over and/or through Ioka's guard. Yaegashi landed better shots in the exchanges. Ioka's jab was at times pawing, but at other times beautiful, especially in the second half of the fight. Ioka landed the best stand alone shots of the fight, notable uppercuts, as well as great body work.

Despite my score of a draw, I do believe that Ioka "wins" this fight on the grounds of the judges scores, obviously, and that I thought the three closest rounds of the fight were 1, 8, and 10, all of which I scored for Yaegashi but would have probably scored even if I wasn't trying to get away from doing that. Also, despite this RBR indicating that Yaegashi was a somewhat clear winner, I've looked into it quite a bit and all of the Japanese media agree it was a razor close fight which Ioka seemed to deserve.