Ioka Vs Martinez set for July 7th in Tokyo!
Earlier today the fans tuning into to Abema, and the media at Shinagawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, had the chance to see a previously announced press conference from Shisei Promotions, to announce the highly anticipated Super Flyweight unification bout between WBA "super" champion Kazuto Ioka (31-2-1, 16) [井岡一翔] and IBF champion Fernando Daniel Martinez (16-0, 9).
The press conference saw both men in attendance, with Martinez flying over to Japan on Sunday for the event, and saw all the details of the bout that had already been rumored being confirmed. That included the date of the bout, July 7th, the broadcaster, Abema, and the location, Tokyo, with the venue being announced as the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
At the press conference both the fighters seemed incredibly happy to have secured this bout. Ioka explained that the bout gives him a chance to get an IBF title, the only one of the major 4 belts to have evaded him so far with his only shot at one being his 2014 loss to the then IBF Flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng. He also spoke about how Martinez was’t actually his first choice but his second choice of opponent, explaining “Since I am in the position of champion, I was negotiating because I wanted to fight Estrada the most, but (the matchup) became difficult.I wanted to fight Martinez as the next option.” It seemed, from other comments, that the longer term plan from Ioka, if he wins, is to pursue a total unification, and look to face the other champions at 115lbs, including Estrada.
In regards to what he thought of Martinez, Ioka explained ”He is a fighter and is good at close quarters.'” and added “You can't stop him unless you fight him. I want to beat him at the distance that Martinez is good at and get a KO. I will attack aggressively.”
Martinez, who arrived in Japan before Luis Nery on Sunday, revealed that he was mobbed by fans at the airport, who wanted to do interviews and get his signature. He went on to explain “This is my first time in Asia, and I was surprised by how many people welcomed me. I felt very happy. It felt like home”. Despite the warm welcome he was very much about business explaining “I came to Japan for work. Ioka is my rival. I don't feel scared. This is the match I've been waiting for. All I'm thinking about is winning”
In regards to his opponent, Martinez explained “Ioka's style is orthodox and I like it”. Before talking about his own style “I like the style of using my legs and hitting from the front without running away. I will put on a match that the audience will be happy with. On the day of the fight, it might draw blood. I'll bring the belt back to my home country”.
Notably there was some mind games being played by the two fighters, with Martinez desperate to have a stare down at the press conference, even asking a translator to tell Ioka to look at him, but the Japanese fighter refused, as the two posed for photographs, with Ioka staring into the hall in the hotel, and Martinez staring at Ioka.
At the time of writing no bouts for the under-card have been announced
The press conference saw both men in attendance, with Martinez flying over to Japan on Sunday for the event, and saw all the details of the bout that had already been rumored being confirmed. That included the date of the bout, July 7th, the broadcaster, Abema, and the location, Tokyo, with the venue being announced as the Ryogoku Kokugikan.
At the press conference both the fighters seemed incredibly happy to have secured this bout. Ioka explained that the bout gives him a chance to get an IBF title, the only one of the major 4 belts to have evaded him so far with his only shot at one being his 2014 loss to the then IBF Flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng. He also spoke about how Martinez was’t actually his first choice but his second choice of opponent, explaining “Since I am in the position of champion, I was negotiating because I wanted to fight Estrada the most, but (the matchup) became difficult.I wanted to fight Martinez as the next option.” It seemed, from other comments, that the longer term plan from Ioka, if he wins, is to pursue a total unification, and look to face the other champions at 115lbs, including Estrada.
In regards to what he thought of Martinez, Ioka explained ”He is a fighter and is good at close quarters.'” and added “You can't stop him unless you fight him. I want to beat him at the distance that Martinez is good at and get a KO. I will attack aggressively.”
Martinez, who arrived in Japan before Luis Nery on Sunday, revealed that he was mobbed by fans at the airport, who wanted to do interviews and get his signature. He went on to explain “This is my first time in Asia, and I was surprised by how many people welcomed me. I felt very happy. It felt like home”. Despite the warm welcome he was very much about business explaining “I came to Japan for work. Ioka is my rival. I don't feel scared. This is the match I've been waiting for. All I'm thinking about is winning”
In regards to his opponent, Martinez explained “Ioka's style is orthodox and I like it”. Before talking about his own style “I like the style of using my legs and hitting from the front without running away. I will put on a match that the audience will be happy with. On the day of the fight, it might draw blood. I'll bring the belt back to my home country”.
Notably there was some mind games being played by the two fighters, with Martinez desperate to have a stare down at the press conference, even asking a translator to tell Ioka to look at him, but the Japanese fighter refused, as the two posed for photographs, with Ioka staring into the hall in the hotel, and Martinez staring at Ioka.
At the time of writing no bouts for the under-card have been announced