Superstar Japanese boxer Kazuto Ioka has tonight conquered countryman Kosei Tanaka in a captivating New Year's Eve fight to defend his WBO super-flyweight belt for the second time.
Ioka (26-2, 15 KOs) handed Tanaka (15-1, nine KOs) his first professional loss when he defeated his opponent via a technical knockout in the eighth round at Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.
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It was a powerful left hook from Ioka that proved the ultimate blow, bringing to end a fight that had seen Tanaka take an aggressive approach and Ioka employ a calmer and more conservative style.
"Tanaka rattled with that left hook and that is it!" one Box Nation commentator said.
"He is out on his feet and in the arms of the referee."
Ioka became the first Japanese boxer to pouch world titles in four divisions when he defeated Filipino Aston Palicte for the vacant WBO super-flyweight belt in June 2019.
He then defended his belt with a defeat of Puerto Rican Jeyvier Cintrónv on the last day of 2019.
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