Kazuto Ioka Stops Palicte; Becomes Japan's First Four-Division World Champion
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 20 Jun 2019
CHIBA, Japan -- In an exciting hard-fought battle, Kazuto Ioka stopped in ten rounds tough Filipino warrior Aston Palicte to claim the vacant WBO Super Flyweight World Title, becoming the first Japanese boxer in history to claim world titles in four different weight classes.
His historic, rewarding win unfolded Wednesday, June 19, at Makuhari Messe indoor Stadium here in the seaport City of Chiba, 40 Km southeast of Japan's capital, Tokyo.
Kazuto Ioka (24-2, 14 KO's) delivered one of the most riveting performances in his stellar career in dealing with the taller, talented, well-trained Palicte who flew into Japan wanting to overpower him, though it happened the other way around.
The strong "Mighty" Palicte (25-3-1, 21 KO's) proved to be a world-class fighter making matters complicated for the 30-year-old Ioka, winning with rough power punching some of the earlier rounds, in one of them forcing the Japanese star to absorb genuine Filipino leather.
But Ioka came back to the next chapter throwing and landing hard on Palicte's mid-section, hugely reducing the Pinoy's stamina, mobility and speed. Palicte was not the same aggressive, fast fighter after that mid-level bombardment.
In sharp contrast, Kazuto Ioka grew more confident, accurate and effective while commanding raids, especially in stanzas seven, eight and nine, landing with more continuity over the Negros Occidental brave combatant.
Kazuto Ioka captures his fourth division world crown.
The end came around half-way in chapter ten when the skilled Japanese connected a crushing left hook on the Mighty Palicte rocking him backward in emergency survival mode, things getting dicey. Could Palicte somehow get out on time of this sudden avalanche?
Unfortunately, the incoming Ioka missile was not going to let go of this golden chance. Not at all.
A furious, relentless, crushing attack followed up, further damaging a shocked Palicte who was just taking all the big blows that Ioka was dishing out, not replying not even one, getting his head hammered fast and mercilessly till veteran American third man Kenny Chevalier appropriately jumped in ending the uneven, rough battle.
It was the first time in his life that Aston Palicted gets knocked out. The official time of the TKO was 1:46 in round 10.
Right after the stoppage was decreed, Palicte's corner protested to the referee Chevalier.
However, it appeared that the halting of actions was done at the right moment as Palicte was already taking severe blows to his head, looking vulnerable.
More punches seemed dangerous and unnecessary, especially at a moment when our sport of boxing has been recently seeing its share of boxers ending in the emergency room, not only Judah and Orocuta, but also our own Arizala.
The stoppage was OK as Palicte was in trouble and referee Chevalier did what he had to do.
As a result, Kazuto Ioka, born in Osaka in 1989, becomes the first son of the Land of the Rising Sun to capture world titles in boxing in four different divisions.
Back in 2011, Ioka claimed the minimumweight crown with legendary Filipino third man Bruce MacTavish as his referee.
The next year, Ioka becomes light flyweight world champion. In 2015 Kazuta Ioka wins the Flyweight world title, and fast-forward four years till tonight, Kazuto Ioka becomes the new WBO Super Flyweight world title. Congratulations Kazuto Ioka
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. He attended this boxing show in Japan. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 22 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator
By Eric Armit, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Tue, 21 Apr 2026High Stakes in Ufa: Subkhankulov and Usmonov Clash for IBF #2 Spot
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Elorde Jr. is new PBF president
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
Tue, 21 Apr 2026IIEE PSME Quezon City Simba’s Tribe amazed with GAB Chairman Rivera’s advocacy for chess players
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 Apr 2026‘CALM’ PERO READY TO FACE MILLER’S FIRE
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Hall of Famer Rafael Marquez's son Aaron wins professional debut
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 21 Apr 2026Top Super Featherweights Tsendy Erdenebat & Cobia Breedy Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Registration Now Open for the Return of the Butterfly Brawl at the Iconic Santa Monica Pier – August 22, 2026
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Brackets Set for USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team at World Boxing Cup - Stage One
Tue, 21 Apr 2026Team Altagracia Primus Praedia Land Holding champ in Pacquiao chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 Apr 2026