Old lion versus young lion – the axiom is as old as boxing itself, and it relates perfectly to a potential showdown between legendary Japanese veteran Kazuto Ioka and his fast-rising countryman Junto Nakatani.
On Saturday, Ioka righted a wrong by scoring a convincing 12-round unanimous decision over Joshua Franco to lift the WBA super flyweight crown at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo. This was a rematch of a December 2022 encounter that ended in a majority decision draw.
With the win and yet another world title, Ioka is back in position for an authentic superfight. And who better to face than countryman and WBO counterpart Junto Nakatani?
The fight was actually supposed to happen this year, with Nakatani installed as the mandatory challenger for the WBO belt. However, Ioka was determined to run things back with Franco, and relinquished his championship rather than fulfill that obligation. This left the door open for Nakatani to fight Andrew Moloney and claim a second divisional title.
Who is Kazuto Ioka?
Ioka, 34, was Japan’s first-ever male four-weight world champion (minimumweight, light flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight).
The Tokyo-based star once held a spot on The Ring Magazine’s top-10 pound-for-pound list and his skills and accomplishments are globally respected. He's at the tail-end of his career but cannot be underestimated.
His current career record stands at 30-2-1 (15 KOs).
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Who is Junto Nakatani?
The 25-year-old Nakatani hasn’t even reached his full potential and he’s already regarded as one of the best fighters in the world.
In his 21st pro outing, he scored a thumping eighth-round knockout over Giemel Magramo to lift the vacant WBO flyweight crown. Two defences followed before the inevitable jump to super flyweight.
At 115 pounds, he was forced to go the distance against former Ioka opponent Francisco Rodriguez Jr., but the power returned against Moloney.
Nakatani’s record is a formidable 25-0 (19 KOs).
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Who wins: Ioka vs. Nakatani?
For the most part, the young lion is too fresh, too agile, and too powerful for the older lion. And that would appear to be the case in this fight.
Defeating a game operator like Franco is one thing, but taking down a young and ambitious knockout artist in the prime of his life is something else.
Nakatani is a power-punching destroyer and the “special” label is already being thrown around in earnest. Two weight divisions have been conquered and he has both the height and the wingspan to go higher.
Ioka has an enormous advantage in experience, but that’s a double-edged sword. Of his 33 pro fights, he has contested 24 world title bouts across four-weight divisions. While that’s an incredible statistic, one must factor in the wear and tear the ex-champ has accrued in a 14-year professional career.
Since blasting out countryman Kosei Tanaka (TKO 8) in December 2020, the Tokyo-based star has gone the distance in four consecutive fights. He was pushed hard by Francisco Rodriguez (UD 12), barely extended by inexperienced rookie Ryoji Fukunaga (UD 12), lethargic in a revenge mission against an ancient Donnie Nietes (UD 12), and lucky to get the draw in the first fight against Franco.
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Conversely, Nakatani has gone from strength to strength as he’s climbed through the levels. Moloney had never been stopped in a 28-fight career and was knocked out cold. The Australian was off his feet three times in that bout and displayed soldier-like courage to make it into the final round.
Boxing is about timing – in the ring and outside of it. While Ioka vs. Nakatani would be a brilliant event, it’s a fight that could end a truly great career on a very sour note.
Opinions may vary, however, and it's never wise to write off a seasoned warrior like Ioka. He's just proved that again this weekend.