The World Boxing Group (WBO) has ordered negotiations to happen for Kazuto Ioka to defend his world junior bantamweight title in opposition to necessary challenger Junto Nakatani, the sanctioning physique introduced.
The events have 30 days, from Monday (January 9), to succeed in an settlement earlier than a handbag bid takes place. If an settlement shouldn’t be finalized, the minimal bid to advertise the struggle is $100,000.
Ioka is promoted by Yusuke Ninomiya and Nakatani is represented by longtime promoter Akihiko Honda of Teiken Promotions.
Ioka (29-2-1, 15 knockouts) final fought on December 31 in his hometown of Tokyo, Japan, combating to a majority determination attract a world unification struggle in opposition to WBA world titleholder Joshua Franco. The struggle was a conflict between fighters ranked within the high 10 by The Ring. Ioka and Franco are ranked No. 2 and three, respectively.
The 33-year-old has made six defenses of the WBO world title belt. Since profitable the WBO title from Aston Palicte in June 2019, Ioka has defeated the likes of Kosei Tanaka, Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. and Donnie Nietes.
Ioka has additionally received a world title belt at 112 kilos.
Nakatani (24-0, 18 KOs), who resides in Sagamihara, made his debut at 115 kilos in his final struggle on November 1, defeating Rodriguez by unanimous determination.
The 25-year-old received the WBO world flyweight title in November 2020, knocking out Giemel Magrano. He would make two successive defenses, each in opposition to Angel Acosta and Ryota Yamaguchi, earlier than deciding to maneuver up in weight to 115 kilos, the place he’s ranked No. 7 by The Ring.
The WBO does have a mandate that enables a world titleholder to change into a compulsory challenger after deciding to maneuver up in weight. Nakatani determined to relinquish the WBO world flyweight title, which is vacant, however can be up for grabs on April 8 when Jesse Rodriguez will sq. off in opposition to Cristian Gonzalez.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
