Fernando Martínez Unifies Super Flyweight Titles Against Kazuto Ioka

Fernando Martínez (17-0, 9 KOs) is now a unified super flyweight champion following a unanimous decision victory over Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs).

Scores for the fight were 120-108 (a far too wide score), 117-111 and 116-112. With the win, Martínez adds the WBA title to his IBF. He first became champion with a unanimous decision win over Jerwin Ancajas in early 2022. Martínez made an additional two defences of the IBF belt before facing Ioka in a unification battle.

The two men headlined a Shisei Promotions card at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan. Fight fans in Japan were able to catch the action live on ABEMA. Those outside Japan had to use a VPN to watch the bout on ABEMA. ESPN KNOCKOUT on Disney+ also carried the action for those in Latin America.

Fernando Martínez Unifies 115-lb Titles Against Kazuto Ioka

Fight Recap

Martínez forced a fast pace from the opening bell. Ioka’s chin allowed him to stay standing in the face of his opponent’s aggression, but the Argentinian’s volume would prove difficult to deal with for the remainder of the fight. Despite the repeated bursts of activity from Martínez, Ioka stuck to consistently working the body.

Martínez was bothered by repeated shots to the body, particularly the left hook, but it did not prevent him from coming forward. In the latter rounds with an opponent trying to walk him down with combinations, Martínez created separation between the two and had particular success with his right hand. Ioka continued with left hooks to the body and rights to the head.

The final round saw Martínez constantly switch stances. While Ioka continued to throw combinations, they did not have the same effectiveness as they did in the second half of the fight. In the end – the fight was a competitive affair between two reigning world champions. The judges appeared to value the work rate of Martínez, something reflected in the scorecards.

Undercard Results

Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8 KOs) won via fourth-round technical knockout against Weerawat Noolae (4-2, 2 KOs). The time of stoppage for this 10-round super bantamweight clash was 1:13.

Yudai Murakami (5-2, 0 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Hiro Ichimichi (8-2-1, 6 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight bout. Scores were 78-74 and 77-75 (x2).

Kantaro Juri (7-0-1, 2 KOs) beat Phai Pharob (37-5, 28 KOs) via unanimous decision. Scores for the eight-round super flyweight fight were 78-73 across the board.

Shun Sekine (11-1-1, 9 KOs) won via third-round technical knockout against Chaiyarat Sawangsoda (8-11, 6 KOs). The time of stoppage for this eight-round super lightweight contest was 1:49.

Aoi Yokoyama (1-0, 1 KO) won via second-round technical knockout against Hao Wang (2-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bantamweight clash.

Taigo Kato (6-2, 2 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Shi Dong (1-3, 1 KO). Scores for the six-round welterweight bout were 60-54 (x2) and 59-55.

Ruka Shinkawa (1-0, 0 KOs) won a unanimous decision against Hibiki Kawai (1-2, 1 KO) in a four-round lightweight fight. Scores were 40-36 and 39-37 (x2).