Kazuto Ioka’s suspected failed substance test spelled trouble with the JBC again
WBO Super Flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15ko) could be in trouble with the Japan Boxing Commission again. According to Asian Boxing news, the Daily Shincho is reporting a suspected failed test for marijuana by the champion. Furthermore, there is a good chance the substance was in his system during the mega-fight against three-divisional champion Kosei Tanaka (15-1,9ko).
On December 31, 2020, bringing the year to a close was a major fight between two Japanese superstars. Ioka, a four-divisional champion in his own right, was successful in the second defense of the title in a high-quality boxing match, stopping the runaway freight train of Tanaka in the eighth round.
The WBO champion brought his A-game for the fight and handed his fellow countryman the first defeat of his career. Moreover, his performance in the fight earned him the 3kingsboxing Fighter To Lookout For In 2021 award.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?
Providing the positive banned substance results are true, the WBO champion could be sidelined for the rest of the year. This would essentially kill any momentum of capitalizing on such a huge victory. Equally important, Ioka already had a target on his back from the JBC for wearing a tattoo on his left shoulder ironically in the same fight with Tanaka. This was a heavy, hot-button topic deriving from an old ruling based on a stigma that tattoos signified being part of organized crime.
Although marijuana is not illegal in most parts of the world, it is illegal in Japan and was added to the WADA list of banned substances. There are a few things that fans should look for to take place in the coming weeks. The WBO could strip Ioka of the title, change the results of the fight from a knockout to a No Contest ruling, and then give Tanaka another bite at the apple by ordering a fight with the #1 ranked Srisiaket Sor Rungvisai.
It is going to be very interesting to see how things will play out if the news concerning the WBO champion is indeed true.
By: Garrisson Bland
