Joshua Franco vs Kazuto Ioka 2 Odds: Settling the Score

Franco-Ioka 2 is the Sequel to Last Year’s Contentious Decision

Boxing Odds Nearly Even in this Rematch

It’s not boxing without questionable judging. Last year, Joshua Franco took the fight to Kazuto Ioka and appeared to have beaten the Japanese favorite. But the judges inexplicably awards most of the last six rounds to Ioka, who was getting outboxed for the most part. Ioka then vacated his WBO title to set up this rematch. And the Joshua Franco vs Kazuto Ioka odds still don’t have a conclusive winner.

🥊 Franco vs Ioka 🥊

Date & Time:
Location: Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo
Broadcast: FITE TV

Ioka Seeks Vengeance or Redemption

At 34 years old, Ioka already has a resume making him worthy of the boxing hall of fame. He became the first male Japanese boxer to become a four-weight world champion. He’s shared the ring with former champions. So a draw against Joshua Franco is a blemish he’ll look to correct as he did against Donnie Nietes last summer.

Ioka got outboxed and outshone by Franco and in his own country. It was a bout that Ioka may not have lost officially, but in the eyes of many, was his first true defeat. He lost split decisions to Nietes and Amna Ruenroeng in 2018 and 2014 but they were controversial.

“Fighting a title defense was not an option for us at all,” Ioka said via Boxing Scene. “The point is to carry on the fight from last year in the next bout and settle the matter with [Franco].”

The Joshua Franco vs Kazuto Ioka odds now have Ioka as a very slight underdog following his less-than-ideal performance against the WBA super flyweight champion. But this isn’t his first time as one. He knocked out Kosei Tanaka as a +120 dog on the boxing odds late in 2020.

This was a stellar performance that pushed Ioka’s name further. He’s had ho-hum performances in an underwhelming boxing schedule since. Now, Ioka has to regain his position as the best super flyweight in the sport.

Franco Entering the Trilogy of Trilogies

As Ioka looks to reclaim his spot at the top, Franco is vigilant of another trilogy bout. If this rematch leads to a third fight with Ioka, it would be Franco’s third trilogy and within six years. He fought Oscar Negrete and Andrew Moloney three straight times each. Franco walked away with three wins, two draws, and one no contest.

The 27-year-old has had to constantly prove himself even as a champion. He was the underdog against Moloney and was also one in the first fight against Ioka. Now, he’s just a slight favorite per the Joshua Franco vs Kazuto Ioka odds.

Franco outworked his counterpart and it should have been a decision win for him. However, as he’s typically found himself in, he’ll need another match to prove he’s the superior boxer.

“I was the busier fighter, but my punches weren’t as clear as I wanted,” Franco said on the DAZN Boxing Show. “This time, I want to dominate in the same way but make it clearer for this fight.”

Indeed, Franco would need more than stats and volume to assert himself against Ioka. He will need to put on a more complete performance as he looks to start strong and go all the way.

It may be harder than the first bout as Ioka now has added motivation for this fight. But with both boxers now having critical data on each other, this next bout could be even more fiery. Expect both to start faster and to go for it as the WBA belt hangs in the balance.

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