Fernando Martinez looks to go 2-0 against Kazuto Ioka when he defends the WBA super flyweight title on New Year’s Eve.
Martinez (17-0) won the IBF super flyweight title in 2022 against Jerwin Ancajas and doubled up on that victory in a rematch.
However, he earned the biggest win of his career when he beat Ioka to win the WBA belt. In the first half, Martinez used an incredible offensive effort and then staved off Ioka’s late rally to hurt the Japanese warrior and claim a unanimous decision.
The man from Argentina also spoiled Ioka’s plan to potentially face WBC and Ring champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. That fight now appears to be his, but Martinez must get past Ioka for a second time.
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Ioka (31-3-1) is a four-division champion, holding minimumweight, light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight gold. The 35-year-old won the WBA belt in 2023 and suffered his first loss since 2018 against Martinez.
“I felt endless frustration after that loss,” Ioka said via Bad Left Hook. “I’m definitely going to make amends and prove I can get back on top.”
On the undercard, young prospects are ready to impress in front of a hometown audience.
Fernando Martinez vs. Kazuto Ioka 2 undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Martinez vs. Ioka 2 card.
Hayato Tsutsumi vs. Rene Alvarado
- Division/Weight: Super Featherweight
- Tsutsumi record: 5-0
- Alvarado record: 34-14
- Belts at stake: N/A
Hayato Tsutsumi faces Rene Alvarado.
A 2016 Youth World Championships gold medalist, Tsutsumi (5-0) looks to go 2-0 in 2024. The 25-year-old missed weight in his last fight and is ready to prove he is a serious prospect looking to advance his career.
A former WBA “regular” super featherweight champion, Alvarado (34-14) is 2-6 in his last eight fights and 2-2 in his previous four. This will be his first time competing in Japan.
Joe Shiraishi vs. Tsuyoshi Sato
- Division/Weight: Super Flyweight
- Shiraishi record: 11-1-1
- Sato record: 11-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Joe Shiraishi faces Tsuyoshi Sato.
Shiraishi (11-1-1) has won local Japan gold at the youth flyweight level. He competes for the first time in more than a year after suffering the first loss of his career in July 2023.
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Sato (11-2-1) competed in his first fight in over three years in April, beating Thanakon Chanphiman. He looks to go 2-0 in 2024. The 28-year-old has six wins via knockout.
Masato Shinoda vs. Kenshin Oshima
- Division/Weight: Featherweight
- Shinoda record: 7-2-1
- Oshima record: 9-3-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Masato Shinoda faces Kenshin Oshima.
Shinoda (7-2-1) is 2-1 in his last three fights. The 28-year-old has won all but one fight via knockout.
Oshima (9-3-1) failed to capture local Japan gold in two straight contests. He has since won two straight fights via TKO.
Areji Kato vs. Masahiro Suzuki
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Kato record: 10-5
- Suzuki record: 10-2-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Areji Kato vs. Masahiro Suzuki.
Kato (10-5) is on a two-fight losing streak. His last win was in 2023, and he hasn’t won consecutive fights since 2016.
Suzuki (10-2-1) is a multi-time local champion in Japan. He is 1-1-1 in his last three fights and looks for his second win of 2024.
Hanyun Wu vs. Yoshimitsu Kimura
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Wu record: 4-2
- Kimura record: 15-3-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Hanyun Wu faces Yoshimitsu Kimura.
Wu (4-2) is 2-1 in his last three fights and 1-1 in 2024. He looks to rebound after getting knocked out against Yoji Saito in July.
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Kimura (15-3-1) is 3-1 in his last four fights. He went 1-1 in 2023 and looks to win two straight in his first fight of 2024. Kimura has 10 wins via knockout.
Mao Tameda vs. Tsukuru Midorikawa
- Division/Weight: Middleweight
- Tameda record: 4-17-2
- Midorikawa record: 1-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Mao Tameda faces Tsukuru Midorikawa.
Tameda (4-17-2) is looking to win two straight for the first time in his career. Before winning in October, he was on a seven-fight losing streak.
Midorikawa (1-0) is ready to go 2-0 in 2024 and competes two months after his debut.
Fernando Martinez vs. Kazuto Ioka 2 tune-in info
- Date: Tuesday, December 31
- Main Event Start Time (approx.): 6:30 a.m. ET | 3:30 a.m. PT | 11:30 a.m. GMT | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | 8:30 p.m. JST
- Location: Ota-City General Gymnasium – Tokyo, Japan
- How to watch: TBA