Martinez and Ioka make weigth for highly anticipated rematch
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On Sunday we’ll get the long anticipated rematch between WBA Super Flyweight world champion Fernando Daniel Martinez (17-0, 9) and 4-weight Japanese world champion Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16) [井岡一翔]. The bout, which was supposed to take place on New Year’s Eve before being cancelled due to Martinez falling ill, is a rematch of a contest that saw the WBA and IBF titles being unified, before the IBF’s mandatory situation saw Martinez given a choice between a high paying rematch with Ioka or a mandatory defense, and he understandable took the Ioka rematch, which is the better pay day, the higher profile bout, and the one that is better for his legacy. In their first bout Martinez took a clear decision, though Ioka is 3-0 in rematches and will feel that he has the tools to avenge another of his losses here.
Today, the two men took part in their weigh in and both came in well under the limit, at around 114.4lbs.
After making weight both fighters spoke to the media.
Ioka explained "I've been working hard since New Year's Eve and have come this far. I am grateful that I was able to make it through the weigh-in safely and that I will be able to step into the ring tomorrow. I had very disappointing and complicated feelings that day (New Year's Eve), but I had no intention of stopping my progress. My camp understood my feelings and negotiated with Martinez's camp." He later went on to add "The most important thing is to grab victory, whether by KO or decision. Tomorrow, I will step into the ring with gratitude and take back the belt."
As for Martinez, the confident champion explained "I'm grateful to my team, my wife, and Maidana Promotions. I really wanted to fight on New Year's Eve. I'm very happy that they trusted me and gave me this opportunity. I want to give everyone a fight tomorrow that they will be satisfied with." He then added "Tomorrow, there will be a blood-boiling exchange of punches from the first round. The ideal would be a KO in the second half. Two great warriors will be fighting, so don't miss this moment!"
Notably for Ioka he is looking to etch his name into the Japanese record books once again, as he looks to become the oldest male to win a world title, at the age of 36 years and 1 month, interestingly his uncle, Hiroki Ioka, is the youngest ever Japanese male world champion.
Today, the two men took part in their weigh in and both came in well under the limit, at around 114.4lbs.
After making weight both fighters spoke to the media.
Ioka explained "I've been working hard since New Year's Eve and have come this far. I am grateful that I was able to make it through the weigh-in safely and that I will be able to step into the ring tomorrow. I had very disappointing and complicated feelings that day (New Year's Eve), but I had no intention of stopping my progress. My camp understood my feelings and negotiated with Martinez's camp." He later went on to add "The most important thing is to grab victory, whether by KO or decision. Tomorrow, I will step into the ring with gratitude and take back the belt."
As for Martinez, the confident champion explained "I'm grateful to my team, my wife, and Maidana Promotions. I really wanted to fight on New Year's Eve. I'm very happy that they trusted me and gave me this opportunity. I want to give everyone a fight tomorrow that they will be satisfied with." He then added "Tomorrow, there will be a blood-boiling exchange of punches from the first round. The ideal would be a KO in the second half. Two great warriors will be fighting, so don't miss this moment!"
Notably for Ioka he is looking to etch his name into the Japanese record books once again, as he looks to become the oldest male to win a world title, at the age of 36 years and 1 month, interestingly his uncle, Hiroki Ioka, is the youngest ever Japanese male world champion.