There has been a lull in big boxing fights over the past fortnight with many athletes taking the month off to focus on training ahead of a busy January.
One last fight remains this year, however, and it promises to be a juicy one. Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco step into the ring together on New Year’s Eve with both the WBO World Super Flyweight and the WBA World Super Flyweight belts on the line. It’s been four years since either man was defeated, and with the prospect of super flyweight unification on the line, this is a match worth getting excited about.
Bookmaker William Hill has all the odds ahead of this clash as we look what each fighter will bring to this bout on Saturday night.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 28th, 1:00 A.M. (GMT)
Looking at the odds from bookmaker William Hill, it’s clear this will be a close fight. This speaks to the high level each boxer has been fighting at across their careers and the fact that both are undefeated since 2018.
Since debuting as a professional in 2009, Ioka has fought 31 times for 29 wins. In fact, the Japanese champion went his first five years as a pro without a defeat, stringing together 14 victories before suffering his first loss at the hands of Amnat Ruenroeng. He then won another nine on the bounce, taking his professional record to 23-1-0 before losing to Donnie Nietes. This was the last time Ioka lost in the boxing ring and is now 29-2-0 as he heads into this fight.
For Franco, this fight will be a breath of fresh air. Six of his last seven fights have been fought against two men with two trilogies unfolding against Andrew Moloney and Oscar Negrete. Both of these have been frustrating with two draws and a no contest. However, outside of this, Franco only has one defeat to his name with a professional record of 18-1-2 for the 27-year-old.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 28th, 1:00 A.M. (GMT)
While both men are excellent fighters and this will be great to watch, Ioka should come away victorious here. There are three great bets to be made in his favour with William Hill, each holding a varying level of risk and return:
- Kazuto Ioka to Win Outright @ 1.57
- Kazuto Ioka to Win By Knockout @ 7.00
- Kazuto Ioka to Win in Round 10-12 @ 15.00
Home favourite Kazuto Ioka should be too strong for Joshua Franco here and come away victorious. Bottom line is, Ioka is a cut above Franco as the 33-year-old has won titles in four different weight classes and is a once in a generation talent that has never been comprehensively defeated with both of his losses coming by split decision. Whether he wins by decision, or on points, is another question.
There’s a case to be made for an Ioka knockout too. Half of the 33-year-old’s victories have come this way and he certainly has the power to do so should the opportunity arise. If an opening does arise, it will likely be in the latter rounds as Franco tires and gets frustrated. Ioka’s last five knockouts have come in the second half of the match with three of those in round 10-12.
Take Ioka to win by knockout here in round 10-12 and land a healthy pay day of 15.00.
