SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 3: KAZUTO IOKA WINS HIS 12TH NEW YEAR'S EVE FIGHT
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Jan 2024
Since his third year as a pro in 2011, Kazuto Ioka fighting in the main event on the last day of the year has been an annual episode, except in 2017 when he retired briefly. The end of the year and the beginning of the new one is an extravaganza of exciting events in Japanese sports, with international football friendlies, the Ekiden relay race, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom, different MMA and kickboxing events and many more are always held.
* * *
In boxing, Japan's biggest stars fight at the end of the year, and currently, the active boxers Naoya Inoue and Ioka, the country’s most popular fighters and the two of its most decorated boxing champions ever.
* * *
Here are the New Year's Eve fights of Ioka:
Won over Yodgoen Tor Chalermchai by TKO 1 on December 31, 2011 at Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan, retaining the WBC mini-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over José Alfredo Rodríguez by TKO 6 on December 31, 2012 at Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan for the vacant WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Felix Alvarado by UD 12 on December 31, 2013 at Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan, retaining the WBA (Regular) light-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Jean Piero Pérez by KO 5 on December 31, 2014 at Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan.
* * *
Won over Juan Carlos Reveco by TKO 11 on December 31, 2015 at Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan , retaining the WBA (Regular) flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Stamp Kiatniwat by TKO 7 on December 31, 2016 at Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan, retaining the WBA flyweight title.
* * *
Lost to Donnie Nietes by SD 12 on December 31, 2018 at Wynn Palace, Macau, SAR for the vacant WBO super-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Jeyvier Cintrón by UD 12 on December 31, 2019 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, retaining the WBO super-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Kosei Tanaka by TKO 8 on December 31, 2020 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, retaining the WBO super-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Ryoji Fukunaga by UD 12 on December 31, 2021 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, retaining the WBO super-flyweight title.
* * *
Drew with Joshua Franco by MD 12 on December 31, 2022 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, retaining the WBO super-flyweight title and for the WBA super-flyweight title.
* * *
Won over Josber Perez by KO 7 on December 31, 2023 at Ota City General Gymnasium, Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, retaining the WBA super-flyweight title.
* * *
Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran won a convincing unanimous decision victory over Jake “El Bambino” Amparo during their International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight title eliminator on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Bohol Wisdom School gymnasium in Tagbilaran.
* * *
The 27-year-old Taduran, therefore inched closer in his quest to regain the IBF world minimumweight title he once held from 2019 to 2021. The win earned Taduran the right as the mandatory challenger for the reigning champion Japanese Ginjiro Shigeoka.
* * *
Sports History: January 3, 1916. Harry Wills defeated Sam Langford in their fourth fight. They will eventually fight for a number of bouts 22 times.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
Sat, 28 Feb 2026WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
Sat, 28 Feb 2026Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 28 Feb 2026Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Feb 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
Fri, 27 Feb 2026Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Fri, 27 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 26 Feb 2026San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
Thu, 26 Feb 2026Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Feb 2026Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 26 Feb 2026IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
Thu, 26 Feb 2026