Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka Rematch Confirmed for New Year's Eve Showdown

Maidana Promotions has officially confirmed that unified super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez will face off against four-division titlist Kazuto Ioka in a highly anticipated rematch on one of Japan’s traditional New Year’s Eve boxing events.

Martinez, known as "Pumita" (17-0, 9 KO), demonstrated his prowess as a formidable road warrior when he outworked Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KO) in their first encounter just last month. The fight was an intense, competitive clash, with Martinez emerging as the clear victor. While instant rematches can sometimes feel unnecessary when the initial bout had a decisive outcome, this one makes perfect sense given the current landscape of the super flyweight division.

WBO titlist Kosei Tanaka is already slated to defend his title in October against Phumelele Cafu, and WBC champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is set to rematch Juan Francisco Estrada. With these key matchups on the horizon, a rematch between Martinez and Ioka won’t hold up any major unification bouts, making it an exciting prospect for fans.

Moreover, this rematch promises to deliver another thrilling contest. Ioka, despite being the older fighter at 35, has shown resilience in rematches, boasting a 2-0 record in second meetings, where he convincingly defeated Donnie Nietes and Joshua Franco. Although he struggled early on against Martinez’s relentless pressure in their first fight, Ioka’s experience and ability to adapt could make this rematch even more compelling.

As the year comes to a close, fans can look forward to another electrifying showdown between these two warriors. The stage is set for what could be a fitting finale to the year in boxing.