IN a rematch that took over three years in the making, Japanese Kazuto Ioka won’t let his guard down when he stakes his World Boxing Organization super flyweight crown against Filipino challenger Donnie Nietes tomorrow at the Ota City Gymnasium in Ota, Japan.
“He (Nietes) was a very tough and smart fighter. He moves well and counters very good,” said Ioka in an interview with Anson Wainwright of ringtv.com that was posted on the website of the well-respected American boxing magazine yesterday.
The first time they met, Ioka lost by split decision to Nietes for the very same WBO super flyweight strap at the Cotai Arena at the Wynn Palace Hotel in Macau.
“But I don’t recall being hit hard or getting into trouble, so I believe I can go after him (Nietes) more aggressively this time,” added the Japanese champ, who has a record of 28 wins, 15 by knockout, against two losses.
“His (Nietes’) punching power is not as explosive as other fighters I have fought recently. I will look to exploit him with my own counters,” added Ioka, 33, of his Filipino foe, a former four-division world champion who sports a record of 43 wins (23 KOs), one loss and six draws.
Despite the seven-year age difference between the two, the Japanese champion said “although people are saying Nietes is old now, I do not think so. I expect the same Nietes from last time.”
The last time the Pinoy pro boxer, known by his moniker “Ahas,” fought was on Dec. 11, 2021 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, earning a split decision win over Norbelto Jimenez of the Dominican Republic to secure the WBO international super flyweight belt
This enabled Nietes to secure the No. 1 ranking in the WBO super flyweight division, paving the way for his return bout with Ioka.
The clash has gained greater prominence after Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo lost his World Boxing featherweight title to Mexican Rey Vargas via split decision at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas over the weekend.
This setback left the country without a current world boxing champion, and Nietes could achieve that should he prevail over Ioka once again, something which the latter insists won’t happen.
