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:
Inoue on Replacement, Mismatch Spree
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 15 Apr 2025FUNDORA VS. BADILLO UNDERCARD TO BE STACKED WITH GOLDEN BOY’S FUTURE STARS
Tue, 15 Apr 2025NM Nika Juris Nicolas finishes fourth in Cincinnati Chess Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025May 10: Andres Cortes-Salvador Jimenez Junior Lightweight Showdown Featured on Navarrete-Suarez Undercard at Pechanga Arena San Diego LIVE on ESPN+
Tue, 15 Apr 2025BOOTS AND HEARN TELL WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONS – DARE TO BE GREAT!
Tue, 15 Apr 2025UNDEFEATED BANTAMWEIGHT ANTHONY GARNICA READY TO SHINE IN 2ND MAIN EVENT AGAINST ASTON PALICTE ON APRIL 19
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Kevin Brown Training Camp Notes
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Undefeated Dallas Super Middleweight Sam Arnold III returns home to Graduate from Prospect to Contender
Tue, 15 Apr 2025King's Promotions Adds Boxing Commentating Trailblazer Claudia Trejos Ambassador For Women's Boxing
Tue, 15 Apr 2025Cebuano Caparino in a tie for lead in Bangkok tourney; Bernardino bounces back
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 15 Apr 2025LA Clippers Beat Golden State in OT, 124-119, Drop Dubs to Play-in Versus Memphis Grizzlies
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 14 Apr 2025Almost P2 million in prizes up for grabs as RFS Onslaught kicks off in Vermosa, Cavite
Mon, 14 Apr 2025The Civic’s Sacred Ring: Filipino Fighters and the Heart of San Francisco
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 14 Apr 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN SET TO FACE BADOU JACK FOR WBC CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ON MAY 3 IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA
Mon, 14 Apr 2025Muhammad Waseem Returns Home for Title Fight in Quetta Against Venezuela’s Wiston Orono
Mon, 14 Apr 2025