IOKA TO DEFEND WBA WORLD FLYWEIGHT TITLE JULY 20

WBA World flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (left) of Japan and challenger Keywin Lara of Nicaragua

By LITO DELOS REYES

WORLD Boxing Association (WBA) World flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan will defend his title against Keywin Lara of Nicaragua on July 20 at the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan.

It will be the third title defense for the 27-year old Ioka, who is also a former WBA World light flyweight, WBC World minimumweight and WBA World minimumweight champion.

Ioka, who has a record of 19 wins with 11 knockouts and only 1 loss, recently retained his crown via an 11^th round technical knockout win against Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina in their rematch last December 31 at EDION Arena.

Ioka captured the WBA World light flyweight title by also dethroning Reveco via a majority decision on April 22, 2015 at the Prefectural Gym in Osaka.

In his first title-defense, Ioka won by a unanimous decision against another Argentinian Roberto Domingo Sosa last September 27 at EDION Arena.

Ioka’s only setback was a split decision during the first title-defense of IBF World flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand held April 7, 2014 at the Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka.

Ruenroreng was recently dethroned by John Riel Casimero of the Philippines via a 4^th round knockout last May 25 in Beijing, China.

Lara, on the other hand, has 18 wins with 6 knockouts, 1 loss and 1 draw.

The 21-year old orthodox fighter won the vacant WBC Latino flyweight title via a 5^th round TKO win against Guillermo Ortiz last May 30, 2015 in Nicaragua.

The 22-year old Lara also scored a 5^th round TKO against Alexander Taylor in his last outing held February 12.

The Ioka-Lara 12-rounder is promoted by Kazunori Ioka of the Ioka Promotions.