January 14, 2015
January 14, 2015
April 22, 2015
OSAKA, JAPAN
Two-time world champ Hiroki Ioka (17-1, 10 KOs), 112, captured the WBA flyweight belt as he scored a majority decision over defending titlist Juan Carlos Reveco (35-2, 19 KOs), 112, Argentina, over twelve close rounds on Wednesday in Osaka, Japan. For the Japanese sharpshooter Ioka, it was his third coronation in as many categories, and he acquired it in the eighteenth pro bout, surpassing Jeff Fenech’s previous mark of gaining his third in the twentieth outing.
Carlos Sucre (US) and Silvestre Abainza (Philippines) saw the hard-fought contest 116-113 and 115-113 respectively for Ioka, and Raul Caiz Sr. (US) had it 114-114. The referee was Pinit Prayadsab (Thailand).
It was a close affair, but Ioka looked superior in terms of precision since he connected with sharp short punches more accurately than the free-swinging Argentine. Ioka, five years his junior at 26, made a good start, positively throwing good jabs and combinations upstairs and downstairs to dominate the first two rounds comfortably. Reveco, making his ninth defense since dethroning Jean Piero Perez in 2011, turned loose to be in command in round three, when he energetically kept punching and stalking the elusive footworker.
Incessantly moving to-and-fro, Ioka displayed sharp jabs and solid body shots to the willing mixer from Buenos Aires, who, however, occasionally caught the baby-faced Japanese with a roundhouse shot. The shifty and swift Ioka controlled the fourth through sixth, but it was Reveco that furiously attacked to have Ioka retreating in the seventh session.
Ioka, some three inches taller, utilized his longer reach and threw fast jabs and combinations with precision, while Reveco showed his class and fought back so aggressively that he dominated the ninth with his good effort.
They exchanged still speedy and hot rallies in the last three rounds, a majority of which Ioka seemingly took with his more accurate combinations. Ioka terminated his job with his face clean and unbruised as usual, while Reveco looked to have had some facial damage.
The triple-crown winner Ioka jubilantly said, “Uncle Hiroki failed to win the third world belt four times, and me once (against IBF ruler Amnat Ruenroeng last year), so our Ioka family has finally accomplished it in our sixth attempt.”
The dethroned Reveco claimed his triumph, saying, “I should have been the winner by two or three points as I was more aggressive all the way. I wish to get it back as early as possible.” Their rematch will be anticipated by our fight fans.
Promoter: Ioka Promotions.
(4-22-2015)