He came up short against Fernando Martinez in a valiant performance in the rematch but still couldn't keep up with the younger fighter despite performing better and knocking him down. Does Ioka still have enough in the tank to take on another top fighter, perhaps another title shot at 115 or could this be the end of the road for the old samurai? He's always been a criminally underrated fighter and it's a shame he never had a shot against Choco and Estrada while they were all still on top. I honestly wouldn't mind him taking them on even at this stage of their careers.
Part of me wants to see him at least fight one more time and leave the sport with a win. Ioka still showed some good defense and clever counters but Martinez is just too much of a damn relentless pitbull for the 36 year. He's had a damn good career overall though. Future HOFer in my book.
I haven't watched the Martinez rematch yet but he's old, past his best and has had a excellent career and whilst it would be nice to see him go out on a win it wouldn't be so if he were to go to the well one too many times and take a beating or get stopped
While it would be preferable if he chose to retire, I think he has enough to beat Chocolatito and Gallo Estrada. Fight those two, and then retire.
The rematch is great. Ioka actually exposed some flaws in Fernando Martinez’s style this time but just couldn’t follow through with the knockdown.
It'll be a good way for him to cap off his career if that happens. I think Ioka has just enough to be able to be competitive with them both. Not sure if he beats them though.
In some months he will announces his retirement. It's a shame that we will not have the Chocolatito / Kosei Tanaka II fights. But what a amazing career for the first Japanese champion in fourth divisions. Kazuto Ioka is obviously of the greatest Minimumweight / Flyweight and Super Flyweight champions !
His last fight against Martinez II was a good end to his career. But one thing is clear Ioka prime will beat Fernando Daniel Martinez. Ioka was far from his prime in this fight he don't have footwork, stamina and power like before. I see Kazuto Ioka beggin to declined in 2022~ in the Joshua Franco fight. Just watch his fights against Donnie Nietes and you will say that Ioka is really far far from his prime.
After the fight he expressed his desire to continue in boxing. And to be honest, I'm glad. I would love to see him go for glory and try to win a title at bantamweight. I think he can do it.
I was thinking about something Ioka can easily beat the winner of Willibaldo Garcia vs Rene Calixto II for the IBF belt.
