Ioka knocks out Thai challenger to retain WBA crown

OSAKA, Japan: Japan’s undefeated Kazuto Ioka knocked out Thai challenger Wisanu Kokietgym to retain his World Boxing Association light flyweight title in Osaka yesterday.
The end came two minutes and 51 seconds into the ninth round of the scheduled 12-round bout when Ioka crushed the No. 2 WBA contender with a sharp right uppercut to the body after having the upper hand throughout.
It was the 24-year-old Ioka’s first defense of the title which he won by beating Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez with a technical knockout in the same southern Japanese city last December.
“I knew my punches had much impact on Wisanu but he remained thoroughly defensive. He was such a skilful boxer and made me work hard,” he said.
Ioka stepped up to the 48.9kg division in June last year after winning the minimumweight crown jointly sanctioned by the WBA and the World Boxing Council.
He stretched his professional record to 12 wins, eight of them by knockout. Four of his world title bouts ended inside the distance.
It was 29-year-old veteran Wisanu’s ninth defeat against 43 wins, 11 of them by knockout, and two draws. He had never challenged for a world title before.
“I am aiming for a lot of other things, including winning multiple world titles,” Ioka told a cheering crowd. “I want to become a legendary boxer and I want you to continue supporting me, please.”
Ioka, four centimeters taller at 165 cm, kept the challenger at bay with sharp left jabs from the opening round. The Thai southpaw occasionally bored in to attack the Japanese but his blows did not seem to carry much weight.
In the fourth round, Ioka stunned Wisanu with one-two blows to the face but the Thai answered with a left straight to the body.
Ioka chased Wisanu with one-two blows but the challenger hit back with a one-two attack to the champion’s head in the dying seconds of the sixth round.
In the ninth round, Ioka pummelled Wisanu with a flurry of punches as the Thai finally lowered his guard. Ioka finished him off with his right hand after punishing him against the ropes.
American referee Mark Nelson counted Wisanu out as the Thai lay flat on his back in anguish.
“I got hit when I stepped back and I was off guard. I felt pain in the stomach and it was difficult to breathe,” Wisanu said. “Ioka’s punches were fast and he was skilful in throwing combinations.”
American judges Jason Garcia and Raul Caiz Jr. both scored it 80-72 for Ioka in the first eight rounds. Peru’s Danilo Dongo scored it 77-75 with Wisanu leading three rounds.
Ioka’s compatriot Ryo Miyazaki stopped Mexican challenger Carlos Velarde by technical knockout to likewise retain his World Boxing Association minimumweight title in Osaka yesterday.
The scheduled 12-round contest ended two minutes and 22 seconds into the fifth round when the 24-year-old Japanese floored the No.7 WBA contender with a lightning counter left hook to the face after a close fight.
American referee Raul Caiz Jr. immediately stopped the fight.
It was Miyazaki’s first defense of the title he won by beating Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand by split decision in Osaka last December.
“I fought the way I practised. I am really glad to produce such a result,” said Miyazaki, who tipped the scale at the limit of 47.6kg.
“It felt quite different to defend the title than to fight as a challenger. I got so hot.”
He extended his professional record to 19 wins, 11 of them by knockout, and three draws.
It was 22-year-old Velarde’s third defeat against 22 wins, 13 of them inside the distance, and one draw. It was the Mexican’s first crack at a world title.