Kazuto Ioka To Abandon WBO Belt In Order To Rematch Joshua Franco
WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (29-2-1, 15KO) has chosen to rematch WBA champion Joshua “El Profesor” Franco (18-1-3, 8KO) at the cost of his WBO title.
RELATED: Kazuto Ioka vs Junto Nakatani WBO Title Fight Headed To Purse Bids
According to Yahoo Japan, Ioka is in negotiations for a rematch with the WBA champion. This news comes on the heels of the WBO ordering a purse bid between Ioka and former flyweight champion Junto Nakatani.
THE BACKSTORY
To avoid the purse bid and continue to work on negotiating for the rematch, Ioka plans on relinquishing the WBO title. In December 2022, the aforementioned fighter engaged in battle with Franco, only for the fight to end in a draw. Boxing pundits were shocked by the lackluster performance of Ioka, with many believing El Profesor should have gotten the victory.
After the fight, Franco’s trainer, Robert Garcia, took to social media hoping the two fighters could run it back later down the line. Well, it seems fans won’t have to wait very long for the rematch after all.
THE REMATCH IS TO TAKE PLACE BACK IN JAPAN
The issue now becomes whether the WBA accepts the fight, considering it won’t be a unification if Ioka vacates the title. Per Yahoo Japan, the rematch will be in June or July, once again in Japan.
Team Franco may have something to say about returning to the scene of the crime, where their first fight ended with that controversial draw.
3kingsboxing.com will keep a close eye on this situation to provide any further updates.
