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Kazuto Ioka vs. Joshua Franco

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Ioka vs Franco official judges scorecards

Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco couldn't be separated in today's super flyweight world unification bout in Japan.
Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco couldn’t be separated in today’s super flyweight world unification bout in Japan.

Both Kazuto Ioka and Joshua Franco retained their super flyweight titles on Fresh Year’s Eve in Japan after failing to split them in a majority draw.

Ioka (29-2-1, KO15) entered the fight at Ota-City General Gymnasium as the WBO champion, having captured the vacant belt in June 2019 following a tenth-round stoppage of Aston Palicte, and has defended his WBO title four times, most recently scoring points in the rematch with Donnie Nietes in July. Franco (18-1-3, KO8) won the WBA belt in June 2020 with a tough decision against Andrew Moloney, and the pair fought two more times, one no contest and the last one last August, which Franco won more easily on the cards results.

It was a tense match, with both men punching constantly as WBC champion Juan Francisco Estrada looked on from ringside. Ioka could often be found hitting his back against the ropes while Franco was the physically stronger fighter, and the Texan was largely unfazed when Ioka got open in several exchanges during the fight.

In the later rounds, Franco put more and more pressure on, but Ioka was more than just a match for him, and as the fight went on the scorecards, it seemed that Franco had done enough to win.

In the end, a draw was probably a fair reflection of the situation, as two scorecards of 114-114 made the third score of 115-113 in Franco’s favor redundant. Now the pair will most likely fight for a rematch.

Official Ioka vs Franco judges' scorecards
Official Ioka vs Franco judges’ scorecards

On the card below, Hayato Tsutsumi (2-0, KO0) scored an eight-round featherweight victory against Pete Apolinar (16-4, KO10) by scores of 80-71 (twice) and 79-72.

Kai Watanabe (9-0-1, KO5) defeated Ryo Nakai (5-2-1, KO2) in the second round of the super featherweight bout, and in the featherweight bout Ryuto Owan (10-1, KO6) won the eighth round of points wins with Robin Langres (11-5, KO4) by three scores 80-69.

In the super flyweight division, Satsuma Ito (2-0, KO1) defeated Wassana Kamdee (6-8, KO5) in the fourth of six rounds, and in the super welterweight division, Taiga Ito (5-3-1, KO1) stopped Kentaro Miyamoto (4- 4, KO2) in the round.

Super bantamweight Kantaro Nakanishi (4-1-1, KO0) defeated Akira Nakashima (2-5, KO1) in four rounds, and Kazuki Ogiwara (2-1, KO2) defeated Ayato Mochizuki (1-1, KO0) in round at lightweight.

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Daniel Dubois sends a message to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

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Dubois destroyed Joshua in five rounds in September Photo Credit: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Dubois wants the winner of Saturday's rematch (photo: Sporting News, Reuters)
Dubois wants the winner of Saturday’s rematch (photo: Sporting News, Reuters)

Daniel Dubois has revealed that his goal is an undisputed title clash with the winner of this weekend’s rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury.

Dubois will defend his IBF heavyweight title against former world champion Joseph Parker on February 22 and arrived in Riyadh earlier this week to watch Saturday’s clash between Usyk and Fury.

After being written off by many recently, “Dynamite” has been in the form of his life lately, picking up three stoppage wins off the back of Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua.

It was said that the heavy-handed 27-year-old would immediately enter into a rematch with Joshua, but “AJ” and his team did not agree with this idea.

And keep talking talkSPORT today, Dubois stated that he has his eye on unifying the four belts with the winner of Saturday’s rematch if he manages to overtake Parker.

In September, Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
In September, Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

“I’m here in Saudi Arabia and I want a winner on Saturday night.

I want to fight for an undisputed result, that’s the game now and that’s the goal.

“100% [I would beat them]. This is my time now. I’ve had my ups and downs, but I’m a recent man.

“I am ready to fight for the undisputed, win it and make history.

“I evolved and learned from my mistakes.

On Saturday in Riyad, Oleksandr Usyk will face Tyson Fury in a rematch for the world heavyweight title. Photo: Top Rank
On Saturday in Riyad, Oleksandr Usyk will face Tyson Fury in a rematch for the world heavyweight title. Photo: Top Rank

“The team did well and I’m firing on all cylinders now. Let’s go!”

Like Dubois, Parker is also in the best form of his career and comes into the match on the back of upset wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang.

Parker was impressed by the fight with Wilder and Zhang. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Parker was impressed by the fight with Wilder and Zhang. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The situation in the heavyweight division in 2025 depends on the outcome of the epic rematch on Saturday evening, in which three world titles will be up for grabs.

Usyk hurt and released Fury en route to a split decision victory when they first faced off in May, and many believe the ‘Gypsy King’ has everything to do if he wants to reverse the result.

A third fight between the pair is contractually agreed if the Morecambe man wins, provided neither he nor ‘The Cat’ withdraws after the second battle at the Kingdom Arena.

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“Tyson Fury doesn’t have it anymore,” says a leading expert

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Tyson Fury has promised to send Oleksandr Usyk into retirement on Saturday Photo Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Paulie Malignaggi believes Oleksandr Usyk will beat Tyson Fury again in a rematch Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry
Paulie Malignaggi believes Oleksandr Usyk will beat Tyson Fury again in a rematch Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry

Paulie Malignanggi believes that Tyson Fury is no longer the same fighter he once was, and he will not beat Oleksandr Usyk in Saturday’s rematch.

Fury decides to take revenge for his own loss of split decision to Usyk in May, when he meets the Ukrainian for the second time in Riyad.

Fury was given eight points after tripping over the ropes following a powerful attack from his rival, and Malignaggi feels his three fights with Deontay Wilder, in which he fell four times, are starting to catch up with him.

“I don’t know if Wilder and Fury are the same after these three fights,” the 41-year-old said talkSPORT Boxing.

“Wilder certainly didn’t look the same as Fury to me, his impact resistance was always one of the best.

Tyson Fury promised to send Oleksandr Usyk into retirement on Saturday. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Tyson Fury promised to send Oleksandr Usyk into retirement on Saturday. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“He got up from Deontay Wilder’s punches that would have made buildings collapse, and now Oleksandr Usyk, a former cruiserweight, turned him around and dropped him in the first fight.

“What are the lasting effects of the Wilder trilogy?

“Who is one of the most devastating boxers in history.”

The “Gypsy King” suffered the first defeat in his 36-fight professional career, but announced that he would end the 37-year-old’s career on Saturday.

Usyk remains undefeated in his 22-fight professional career, and in May he won the undisputed heavyweight title, the first man in the four-belt era to do so.

Former world champion Malignaggi believes that Usyk, who vacated the IBF belt after the first fight, will repeat the feat.

Fury was seriously injured in a match against Usyk earlier this year (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
Fury was seriously injured in a match against Usyk earlier this year (photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank)

“I will choose Usyk,” he added.

“I don’t think Fury has it anymore.

“It’s no disrespect to Fury.

“I’ve always loved Fury, I’m just not sure if he can bring him back.”

Frank Warren today revealed that a third fight between the two teams is in the contract – provided Fury emerges victorious and neither retires – while the long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua could be an alternative option for the Manchester fighter.

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Tyson Fury rips apart ‘very constrained’ Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois

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Fury and Usyk will square off again on December 21 Photo Credit: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

Tyson Fury labeled Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois as
Tyson Fury described Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois as “very constrained” compared to him Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry/Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

Tyson Fury described both Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois as “very constrained” compared to him ahead of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk.

Fury, who saw Dubois defeat Joshua in five rounds at Wembley Stadium in September, is preparing for a second fight with Usyk on December 21 in Riyad, seven months after his first professional defeat against split decision for the undisputed title of heavyweight champion.

The ‘Gypsy King’ insists he will box in a similar fashion when he faces the Ukrainian for the unified heavyweight titles, as well as facing his rival in midfield, something he believes both Joshua and Dubois were unable to do , when they stood against him.

– What can you expect from me? Fury said during his face-to-face meeting with Usyk TNT Sports.

“Basically the same thing I did before.

Fury and Usyk will face each other again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions
Fury and Usyk will face each other again on December 21. Photo: Stephen Dunkley/Queensberry Promotions

“Good boxing.

“It’s not normal for someone my height and weight to be able to box and move and slide, so why should I take that away from my game.

“People tell me: go up to Usyk, take him down and punch him, but if it was so effortless why didn’t Joshua do it, who is a massive, sturdy man?

Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank
Usyk puts in a great performance beating Fury in May. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

“Why didn’t Dubois do it?

“These men are constrained compared to me, very constrained.”

Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
Dubois defeated Joshua in five rounds. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The 37-year-old Usyk defeated “AJ” twice on points and stopped Dubois, and Fury became the fifth Briton to fall victim to him.

The Manchester athlete believes it cost him an impressive performance in his first outing and has vowed to remain focused when facing Usyk on Saturday in three weeks’ time.

“I belong to a boxer,” the 36-year-old added.

“Slip, slide, clip, hook.

“I’m going to do it, but with more focus.

“A little more focused on my job and I think that’s my path to victory.”

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