Ioka will defend his flyweight title against Yutthana Kaensa (Photo: Courtesy)

Kazuto Ioka will defend his WBA World flyweight title against Yutthana Kaensa over a scheduled 12 rounds at the Shimazu Arena in Kyoto, Japan, on New Year’s Eve.

A resident of Osaka, Japan, 27-year-old Ioka is a seven-year pro (20-1, 12 KOs) who won the title in April 2015 by beating Juan Carlos Reveco via majority decision. He’s successfully defended three times, most recently this July when he knocked out Keyvin Lara in the 11th, the only time the Nicaraguan’s been kayoed. In the December 2015 rematch with Reveco, Ioka won by 11th-round TKO, the Argentine’s first loss by stoppage. His sole loss came in May 2014, Amnat Ruenroeng beating him by controversial split decision in his unsuccessful bid for the IBF World flyweight title.

First-ranked by the WBA, 18-year-old Kaensa of Bangkok, Thailand, is an undefeated three-year ring vet (15-0, 6 KOs) who won the interim WBA World flyweight title in July 2015 by beating Gregorio Lebron via majority decision. In their February 2016 rematch, “Stamp Kiatniwat” successfully defended his belt, again winning by majority decision.