Boxing

The Japan Boxing Commission uncovered Wednesday that Ioka's pee test required upon the arrival of the New Year's Eve battle showed hints of marijuana, adding that how much pot found was beneath the World Enemy of Doping Organization's identification limit.

Ioka's Shisei Exercise center, responding to the JBC's turn, said, "Ioka hasn't taken or utilized any prohibited substance. We'll effectively defend himself. We can't help thinking about why they expected to declare that right now."

Ioka is the main Japanese man who has held world enclosing titles four weight classes.

azuto Ioka caught the WBA super flyweight title on Saturday, June 24, beating Joshua Franco in their 12-round session at Tokyo's Ota City General Recreation center.

Ioka procured a consistent choice over his 27-year-old American rival. Two of the appointed authorities scored the battle 116-112 in support of Ioka. The other appointed authority called it 115-113 for Ioka.

Ioka and Franco recently battled on December 31, 2022, at a similar setting. The session was pronounced a draw, and Ioka held his WBO super flyweight title, while Franco clutched his WBA crown.

Ioka emptied his WBO title in the wake of picking against confronting a compulsory challenger. All things being equal, he needed to battle a rematch with Franco (18-2-3, eight KOs).

This time, the result was clear.

Kazuto Ioka shows his WBA super flyweight title belt after the battle. (ⒸSANKEI)

"I'm happy I came by the outcome," Ioka was cited as saying by Kyodo News subsequent to improving to 30-2-1 with 15 KOs in his renowned lifetime.

The veteran Japanese contender added, "I realized I needed to continue to toss punches. Franco was basically major areas of strength for as last time, with many punches."

Pre-Battle Show

A day prior to their rematch, after Ioka stepped on the scale weighing 52 kg, there was show when his rival did likewise. Franco weighed 55.2 kg, which is 3.1 kg over the restriction of 52.1 kg (115 pounds), and afterward stepped on the scale again two hours after the fact. For his second weigh-in, Franco was again over the breaking point at 55.0 kg.

Subsequently, Franco was deprived of his WBA title belt. This intended that assuming that Franco had won the rematch or on the other hand assuming it was proclaimed a draw the title would've still been empty.

All things being equal, Ioka got the WBA title with a compelling blend of punches.

Kazuto Ioka asserted the WBA super flyweight title through consistent choice Saturday over Joshua Franco of the US in their rematch.

The session at Tokyo's Ota City General Recreation center came after the World Boxing Affiliation stripped Franco of his super flyweight belt for neglecting to make weight a day sooner. A Franco win or a draw would have left the title empty.

Two appointed authorities scored the session 116-112, while the other scored it 115-113.

"I'm happy I obtained the outcome," said the 34-year-old Ioka. "I realized I needed to continue to toss punches. Franco was pretty much areas of strength for as last time, with a large number of punches."

Franco, 27, eased back a brief time after he experienced significantly better than his right eye in the fifth round, while Ioka turned up the strain with body shots and uppercuts.

Ioka further developed his success misfortune record to 30-2, including 15 successes by knockout, with one draw. Franco tumbled to 18-2-3 with eight KOs.

On Dec. 31, 2022, the two fighters fought to a 12-round attract a two-belt unification battle, with Ioka battling as WBO super flyweight champion.

The World Boxing Association requested Ioka to orchestrate an obligatory title protection against highest level comrade Junto Nakatani, yet Ioka decided to clear his belt to confront Franco once more.

"Since that day (New Year's Eve), such countless things happened, yet I never surrender," Ioka said. "I turned into a hero again with the assistance of many individuals."