Ioka unifies minimum titles

Kazuto Ioka unified the WBC and WBA versions of the minimumweight title with a unanimous yet narrow verdict over Akira Yaegashi.

Japanese youngster adds WBA belt to WBC title

Kazuto Ioka unified the WBC and WBA versions of the minimumweight title with a unanimous yet narrow verdict over Akira Yaegashi. Ioka was making the third defence of the WBC strap against the six-years older Yaegashi, who had won the WBA title in November. It was a very even contest with Ioka just shading the middle rounds and taking the win by scores of 115-113 twice and 115-114. "Yaegashi is really a strong fighter. I couldn't have beaten him without the support of my fans on my home ground," said the 23-year-old Ioka, who was having only his 10th professional bout. "Since he became my next opponent, I was under heavy pressure and I felt anxious. I felt pressure whenever I was outside the ring, but now I (have) cleared a big hurdle. But this is merely a passage in my career."