Ioka, gustong manalo kontra Nietes
TARGET ni Kazuto Ioka na matamo ang bakanteng WBO junior bantamweight title sa Macau, China sa Lunes sa pagtalo kay Pinoy boxer Donnie Nietes upang maging kauna-unahang four-division world champion mula sa Japan.
Ngunit, gusto ring maging four-division titlist ni Nietes upang sumunod sa yapak nina eightdivision champion Manny Pacquiao at five-division titleholder Nonito Donaire, Jr.
Kapwa sila kumasa sa “SuperFly 3” card noong nakaraang Setyembre 8 sa The Forum, Inglewood, California sa United States kung saan tumabla si Nietes sa kababayang si Aston Palicte at dinaig ni Ioka sa puntos si McWilliams Arroyo ng Puerto Rico.
“There were many obstacles to clear in the last fight,” sabi ni Ioka sa RingTV.com. “This time around I can confidently say I am stronger, faster and smarter than I have ever been in my career. I only took maybe two or three weeks off after the Arroyo fight, so, at this point, I am sure that I will be very ready for this fight.”
Para sa 29-anyos na Hapones, pinakamabigat na laban niya ang pagkasa kay Nietes na mas matanda sa kanya ng pitong taon.
“I feel that this will be a terrific fight because I’ve always had tremendous respect for Donnie Nietes and I’m honored that this fight is happening,” sabi ni Ioka. “It is really destiny that both of us on our different paths in life will meet in Macau for the four-weight championship.”
Para kay Ioka, lilikha siya ng kasaysayan kung magwawagi laban kay Nietes.
“For myself, history is on the line, as no boxer in Japan history has ever been a four-weight champion, I’m sure, in the future, many Japanese boxers will have this opportunity but I’m really excited to be in this position to achieve history now,” dagdag ni Ioka. “He is a very crafty veteran who is a smart boxer, I’m not quite sure which area to exploit specifically, except to say, just like with the Arroyo fight, I will show up to fight a fight that the boxing world will appreciate.”
May rekord si Ioka na 23 panalo, 1 talo na may 13 pagwawagi sa kanockouts kumpara sa mas beteranong si Nietes na may kartadang 41-1-5 na may 23 panalo sa knockouts.