World Boxing News 2010-2013

                             ( )  = Record in 2012                       [ ]  =  Jan 2012 ranking 1. Floyd Mayweather  (1-0)  [1] 2.  Nonito Donaire  (4-0, 2 KO)   [4] 3.  Juan Manuel Marquez  (2-0, 1 KO)  [11]   4. Sergio Martinez  (2-0, 1 KO)  [10]   5. Manny Pacquiao  (0-2)   [2]                                                       6.  Wladimir Klitschko  (3-0, 2 KO)  [5 ] 7.  Andre Ward  (1-0, 1 KO)    [7]                                                     8....

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Five belts on the line in Japan Two world titles were successfully defended in Japan, whilst one changed hands and two other vacant championships were claimed in an end of year Asian blockbuster on New Year’s Eve. Firstly, WBA super-featherweight champion Takashi Uchiyama retained his WBA super-featherweight belt with an eighth round stoppage win over previously undefeated Costa Rican Bryan Vasquez at the Ota-City Gym in Osaka. Uchiyama, 33, improved his own unbeaten record to 19-0-1 as the long-time title holder proved to be a step too far for 25 year-old Vasquez, who drops to 29-1 and returns home empty handed. Also on the bill, Yota Sato kept a firm grip on the WBC super-flyweight title belt with a successful second defence to out-point Ryo Akaho with scores of 118-110, 117-111 and 117-112 . The surprise of the night came when nearly-man Kohei Kono won the world title at the third time of asking by knocking Tepparith Kokietgym down three ...

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Japanese fighter adds WBA minimumweight belt to WBC version Kazuto Ioka has fought just ten times since turning professional in 2009 but is already a unified champion after defeating Akira Yaegashi in a closely-fought contest in Osaka, Japan. The 23 year-old, who claimed the WBC title at 105lbs in just his seventh bout, overcame a stubborn challenge from Yaegashi, 29, to take the WBA title and place himself in the frame for a place in the WBN P4P Top 50 in the near future. Yaegashi fought hard when hampered by a swollen eye, but eventually compatriot Ioka’s tenacity shone through and the judges gave him a unanimous decision with cards of 115-113 (twice) and 115-114 .

Phil D. Jay  WBN Editor Minimumweight champion out-points Mexican Kazuto Ioka is still the WBC minimumweight title holder after a twelve round decision win over Juan Hernandez in Tokyo, Japan. The 22 year-old, fighting in only his eighth contest, took a 118-111, 117-111, 116-112 on the three judges’ card to retain his belt at the Korakeun Hall in his first defence. Ioka is the nephew of former two-weight world champion Hiroki Ioka, who retired in 1998 after claiming titles at minimumweight and light-flyweight. The youngster won the title in only his seventh fight in February stopping Oleydong Sithsamerchai in five rounds to break the Japanese record.

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.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Sithsamerchai dethroned after three-year reign 21 year-old Kazuto Ioka is the new WBC 105lb champion after a stunning stoppage victory over seasoned former titleholder Oleydong Sithsamerchai at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan. The Osaka-based youngster put the 25 year-old southpaw down twice in the fight before the referee stopped the bout in round five, inflicting Oleydong’s first defeat in 36 contests and handing Ioka the world title in just his 7th pro outing. It wasn’t quite enough to break the all-time record for claiming a world title in the fewest fights as that honour lies with the late Saensak Muangsurin, who claimed the WBC light-welterweight title in 1975 in just his third fight and who sadly passed away in 2009.

Phil D. Jay WBN Editor Sithsamerchai will travel to Japan to defend belt Japan’s Kazuto Ioka has the opportunity to pick up the WBC minimumweight title with a measly six fights under his belt and has home advantage thrown in for good measure when he meets champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai on February 11th. Iota, 21, who has four knockouts in his six wins, only turned professional in April 2009 and less then two years later is fighting for the greatest prize in the sport, although he does face a daunting task against the experienced 36-fight veteran. 25 year-old Sithsamerchai has held the title for over three years, since dethroning Eagle Den Junlaphan in 2007, retiring the 29 year-old in the process and is undefeated so far in his career, failing to beat only one opponent when drawing with Pornsawan Porpramook last September.