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Seven-fight WBC champ Ioka makes first defence today

Phil D. Jay
WBN Editor

Youngster has home advantage over Mexican 

WBC minimumweight champion Kazuto Ioka will make the maiden defence of the title he claimed from Oleydong Sithsamerchai in just his seventh pro fight later today. 

The 22 year-old from Japan raised a few eyebrows in February when put forward to challenge the experienced 36-fight unbeaten champion and duly took out the Thai title holder in five rounds.

He now meets Juan Hernandez (18-1, 13 KO’s) at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo as he looks to keep his perfect record in tact.

‘Juanito’ Hernandez, 24, is undefeated in five years since suffering his only career loss against Oscar Martinez and travels abroad to fight for the first time in his seven-year career.

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