Thoughts on Kazuto Ioka?

What’s everyone’s opinion on Ioka? Ioka is a fighter that seems to continue being underrated but after his last fight against Tanaka I have to say that I think he’s made a case of being a Top 10 P4P fighter. He’s a fighter that I’ve been consistently impressed with. Excellent skills, quality operator, and a cute stylist. I’m excited to see if he can get fights with Chocolatito, Gallo, or Ancajas, I think he has the skills to compete with them. In my opinion I don’t think he’s ever been truly beaten.

 

I was highly impressed by the way he dismantled Tanaka.

At 31, I suspect he might be in the final stages of his physical prime, so can anyone suggest for me some of his peak performances to watch?

I've been in unsung Asian flyweight/bantamweight mode all week.

 

Yes I think now would be the best time for him to finally get the big fights with the major players of super flyweight. To me I think he has what it takes to rise on top if he can keep up with the momentum.

I too would like to know some good fights from Ioka at his beat. I’ve only seen his fights with Reveco, Nietes, Palicte, Arroyo, Cintron.

He deserves more attention. He’s second only to Inoue as the best current Japanese fighter right now, unless he beats the winner of Chocolatito/Gallo.

 

Hed definitely beat ancajas

 

Been a fan for years. Clean, surgical inside fighter with a crisp left hook downstairs. Love watching him work.

 

What's his best performance? Besides Tanaka.

 

Reveco rematch, maybe.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

Watch the fight with Yaegashi. You won't regret it.

 

I also liked the fight with Arroyo.

Has anyone seen Arroyo vs Cuadras? That sounds like a good-un.

 

Agreed with most of what's said here. Only thing that can be really held against him is he isn't a 'true' 4 weight champion, as two of the belts were regular trinkets (though the 112lb one may have been upgraded soon before he moved up), and that he never avenged the loss to Ruenroeng, and that he didn't go after Gonzalez. He was also knocked down by a Thai called Stamp or something. Funnily enough, he has some of his best wins and performances at 115 even though it's really his physical limit.

Not to denigrate him, just balancing it a bit (and it really is nitpicking). He has a lovely, slippery aggressive pro style, which his veteran experience actually helps. His bout with Yaegashi is a modern Japanese classic and was an important unification in the last decade for them. His run at 115lbs, including the close Nietes loss, has been brilliant. Loved seeing him pick up steam again with the impressive Palicte KO, a good win.

 

He's a really good, steady fighter imo, more so than a highly skilled one or excellent talent. Solid fundamentals and grasp of the basics in terms of chin down, hands in the right place at all times, high guard etc. Fairly sharp technique and timing with his left moreso, good at shifting his delivery upstairs to down, a reliable counterpuncher. A good infighter too. His poise and patience are his best assets imo, decent ring IQ. I find him a bit straight up and down though with limitations tbh and nothing really stands out about him to me, though I enjoy watching him.

His body of work deserves more respect from the mainstream numpties like most lower weight fighters who aren't American, Mexican etc. I think his skill set and ability are a bit exaggerated by hardcore, lower weight aficionados though. Like Inoue, I find him just solid in that regard rather than genuinely impressive, but he doesn't have Inoue's stand out power and hand speed to clearly separate himself from other genuinely good fighters by a big margin.

I really enjoyed the Tanaka fight though, it went more or less how I anticipated and showed how a good grasp of the basics with a bit of intelligence, calm application and not panicking can carry the day against a younger, faster, more athletic but naive and sloppier opponent.

 

I'll have to rewatch the Nietes fight, I was tired and distracted at the time but vaguely recall thinking that Donnie was good for the win tbh without too much dispute.

 

This^

Definitely deserves a rematch.

 

I don’t disagree with any of what Tin said. Getting matadored by Ruenrong and losing at his own game to the much older Nietes at different stages of his career show his limitations, if they weren’t readily apparent, anyway.

I just dig his style. Fighters with consistent textbook adherence aren’t that rare, but they’re rarely exciting if they lack standout physical tools. Mostly safety first types. Ioka was the high action variety, and that’s always satisfying to watch, particularly against the right opponent.

 

Great post as always, Tin.

 

This.

 

What does everyone make of Nietes and Ancajas?

 

They're pretty good, I guess.

 

Could they beat Wilfredo Gomez?

 

Of course! Wilfredo is only an 'OK'.

 

Steve Kim

@SteveKim323

 

That guy....

 

Meant to put this actually

 

Good matchup. Let's hope it happens.

 

Just watched the Ioka vs Rodriguez fight. Good competitive fight, had Ioka winning by 2 points. Ioka should face Ancajas, Sor Rungvisai, or the winner of Chocolatito/Gallo 3. Wouldn’t even mind a Nietes rematch.

 

He looks on his way to his third loss here

 

Ioka has an upcoming fight in a rematch with Nietes next month. I think he has a chance to avenge it seeing how old Nietes is now. Sad to see that he gets completely overshadowed by Inoue. The difference in talent is apparent but Ioka is still a solid fighter. If he beats Nietes this time then he definitely needs to face Chocolatito, Gallo, or SSR/Rodriguez.

 

Ioka just fought Joshua Franco yesterday in Japan. Really good technical fight although I personally thought Ioka got jobbed. Worth checking out.

 

He’s fighting again tomorrow in a rematch against Joshua Franco. Franco came in 6 pounds overweight but they’re still letting the fight go on. Hope Ioka beats that POS.