Ioka dominates Nietes to avenge 2018 loss

Revenge.

Nearly four years after dropping a controversial split decision, WBO junior bantamweight titlist Kazuto Ioka avenged his only loss since 2014 Wednesday morning with a one-sided unanimous decision win over fellow four-division champion Donnie Nietes.

The judges scored the bout 120-108, 118-110, and 117-111, all for Ioka (29-1, 15 KOs), who defended the WBO title for the fifth time.

Nietes (43-2-6, 23 KOs) looked rough against Norbelto Jimenez, whom he fought to a 10-round split draw last December in Dubai. The younger, fresher Ioka took full advantage of Nietes' 40-year-old body and pounded it with precision.

The 33-year-old Ioka has earned himself a big money fight. The question now is who?

A rematch with Kosei Tanaka? Is Tanaka ready for the smoke? We'll see.