Combat followers who know – as in, they know the way nice Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka are, and the way succesful they’re of delivering nice motion and drama – received what they anticipated right this moment in Tokyo, Japan. This as the 2 junior-bantamweights fought their anticipated return combat. Argentine warrior Martinez once more received the choice over Japanese star Ioka, as was the case when the 2 first tangoed, this final July. However this time, “Puma” needed to get off the deck to win.
It was 12 rounds of totally absorbing motion right this moment, simply as issues had been within the first combat. In the long run, Martinez, who was despatched to the mat within the tenth spherical, this from a pair of left hooks, gained by scores that learn 117-110 (far too broad, however not as dangerous as the cardboard one decide one way or the other handed in on the conclusion of the primary battle between these two, that learn a loopy 120-108 for Martinez), and 115-112, and 114-113.
Martinez is now 18-0(9), and the 33 12 months outdated confirmed once more right this moment that he is likely one of the most enjoyable fighters on the market when it comes to aggression and of punches thrown. 36 12 months outdated Ioka, a future Corridor of Famer to make sure, falls to 31-4-1(16) and we could have seen his final combat right this moment.
It was motion just about all the best way, with Martinez once more setting a sizzling tempo, whereas Ioka did some high quality work to the physique. Spherical 4 was particular, with each males buying and selling in crowd-pleasing model. It appeared at this level that the rematch wouldn’t go all the best way. However it did. Each males dug deep, they fought by way of some critical ache and fatigue, they usually warred to the ultimate bell.
Martinez seemed like he might need been near getting the stoppage in spherical six, this as he appeared to harm Ioka, with him then unleashing a flurry because the older man was on the ropes. However Ioka, preventing with sheer satisfaction, managed to get house with a counter, and on the battle raged. Each males had been clearly drained within the later rounds, but it surely was unclear which warrior was feeling it extra. Then, in a shock, Ioka dropped Martinez within the tenth. Spherical 11 noticed but extra excellent motion, whereas the twelfth and ultimate spherical was epic. The 2 males appeared to make a pact to go for it, and go for it they did. It was pure motion within the ultimate spherical.
And regardless that Martinez is now 2-0 over Ioka, we followers would for certain tune in if these two met for a 3rd time. Followers who noticed right this moment’s good combat received a FOTY candidate. As a few of us anticipated can be the case moving into.
