Japanese boxing may be celebrating it's newest star, Naoya Inoue (3-0, 3) moving his way towards a world title and Ryoto Murata (0-0) ready to make his debut but just a few years ago the fast rising Kazuto Ioka (11-0, 7) was the talk of the boxing world. The unbeaten Ioka, now a 2-weight world champion seeks to claim the headlines once more as he looks to make the first defense of his WBA Light Flyweight title when he takes on the experienced Thai Wisanu Kokietgym (43-8-2, 11).
Although Ioka, 24, is a bit of a professional novice he's already fought in a staggering 5 world title bouts, in fact after this bout 50% of his bouts will have been for a world title! In those fights he has shown all the traits of a really outstanding fighter and that includes his trademark body shots which are up there with the very best in the sport today.
Whilst Ioka isn't a massively experienced fighter he has been in boxing most of his life. He had a genuinely vast amateur career and his uncle, Hiroki Ioka, was himself a 2-weight world champion. It's this experience that has seen Ioka fast tracked and although there has had one or two wobbles (notably being dropped by Heri Amol) he has been very impressive stopping the likes of Oleydong Sithsamerchai, Juan Hernandez and Jose Alfredo Rodriguez whilst out pointing the very under-rated Akira Yaegashi.
With more than 4 times the experience of the champion it could be expected that Thai challenger Wisanu Kokietgym could be a worth while opponent. Sadly however if you go through Kokietgym's record it's hard to really be impressed by anything he's done other than the fact he's been active and well matched (on the whole).
In a career dating back to 2001 it's fair to say that Kokietgym's best known opponents are Z Gorres and Duangpetch Kokietgym. Both of those men managed to defeat Kokietgym and actually the Thai's best victories are against the likes of Ricky Manufoe and Sammy Hagler, who, lets be honest, are journeymen through Asia who really shouldn't be any title challengers "best wins".
The best wins of Kokietgym's are on a similar level to the worst victories of Ioka. That's a pretty damning statement but yet a thoroughly fair one and with that in mind it's impossible to go against Ioka. Though rather than just stating the obvious lets go a step further (I feel cocky!) Ioka will stop Kokietgym in impressive fashion inside 5 rounds with a thunderous body shot. I wouldn't be shocked if it was in the first 3. There is simply no way for Kokietgym to win, he lacks the the skills for a decision and the power for a stoppage.
Prediction- Ioka TKO4
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