Kazuto Ioka believes he has another title run in him.
The former four-division titlist shut down any talks of retirement when the subject arose after his second consecutive defeat to Fernando Martinez. Their thrilling rematch saw the visiting
Argentinean survive a tenth-round knockdown to prevail by scores of 117-110, 115-112 and 114-113 this past Sunday in Tokyo, Japan.
Martinez, 18-0 (9 KOs), made the first defense of the WBA junior bantamweight title he lifted from Ioka, 31-4-1 (16 KOs), last July. Questions arose as to what’s next for the 36-year-old Ioka after his second straight defeat.
All he could confirm is what’s not on the table.
“I don't feel like I've had enough or that I'm retiring,” Ioka told the assembled media during the post-fight press conference. “I felt a sense of fulfillment, as I slowly savored the fact that this match had taken a year to come to fruition and I was able to take part in this match.
“I really enjoyed the preparations for this match. Just because I don't have any tears doesn't mean I'm retiring. I don't really feel that way."
The second act was delayed by five months after Martinez fell ill and had to withdraw from their New Year’s Eve-scheduled rematch prior to the pre-fight weigh-in.
It will never be known how the extended break affected Ioka, who seemed poised for revenge. He was also cheated out of the chance to fight on a year-end holiday he single-handedly turned into a boxing tradition dating back 2011 and his strawweight title reign.
Major title wins have since come at junior flyweight, flyweight and junior bantamweight. Ioka has enjoyed two title reigns at 115lbs, but never showed any real signs of slowing down.
Even as he was outworked by the high-octane Martinez, Ioka was still able to effectively implement his style. It was more so evident in the rematch, where he floored Martinez with a three-punch combination in the tenth. Many observers believed that moment should have provided the margin of victory on the scorecards.
Instead, Martinez recovered and rallied late to eke out a second consecutive unanimous decision victory.
“I was using up my stamina too,” admitted Ioka. “I wanted to defeat him in the back-and-forth battle, so I was too strong, and I couldn't do it efficiently, like a combination, or three or four times. It was just one punch at a time.
"It was intense from the first round, just like when we fought in July. I fought with all my heart and soul in every round. I knocked him down at the very end, and this time I didn't feel like I was losing either. The match with him was so heated that I couldn't see it from a bird's-eye view. I was calm, but the 12 rounds were over in a flash.”
Martinez will now seek to further unify the junior bantamweight titles. He already has one eye on the July 19 Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez-Phumulela Cafu lineal, WBC and WBO junior bantamweight championship unification clash in Frisco, Texas.
Meanwhile, Ioka is left to ponder what else he could have done to have won at least the rematch.
“I just wish I had won both last time and this time,” noted Ioka. “The result is everything. I'm honestly disappointed that I lost, that I couldn't live up to the support and expectations.
“There's no end to saying I should have done this or that. I gave it my all in every moment. I wish I could have won, but I feel like I gave it my all.”
It would have been an admirable swan song if he did in fact elect to chuck deuces and head off into the sunset.
For now, the plan is to reload… and return.
“I'm frustrated with the last time, but this time I feel like I've done my best, so I'm not crying,” Ioka boldly stated. “Of course I'm frustrated with the result. I did cry when I went around the ring and saw everyone's frustrated faces.
“In the end, I lost and I'm 36 years old… but I don't feel like I should retire.”