Martinez vs Ioka 2 official for May 11 in Tokyo
Top super flyweights Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka are set to meet for the second time in Ioka hometown of Tokyo
WBA super flyweight champion Fernando “Pumita” Martinez and Kazuto Ioka were supposed to rematch in December, only for Martinez to withdraw during fight week due to illness. Rescheduling negotiations appeared to fall apart, leaving Martinez to pursue a clash with WBC champ Jesse “Bam” Martinez instead.
They’ve now gone back to the original plan, as Abema announced that Martinez and Ioka will officially run it back on May 11th in Tokyo.
Martinez (17-0, 9 KO) took home their first meeting last July through his signature high-pressure offense, which on paper is a winning formula against the 36-year-old Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KO). That said, Ioka is 2-0 in revenge matches against Donnie Nietes and Joshua Franco, so don’t be too quick to count the old man out.
Top prospects Hayato Tsutsumi (6-0, 3 KO), Daiya Kira (2-0, 2 KO), and Reito Tsutsumi see action as well. We’ll let you know if any Stateside broadcasters pick this up.