Kazuto Ioka stops Oleydong Sithsamerchai in 5

Former amateur superstar Kazuto Ioka pulled off an upset in stopping previously unbeaten WBC minimumweight king Oleydong Sithsamerchai, and, in the process, wrote history in Japanese boxing annals by becoming the fastest to a world title. Showing good speed and reflexes, Ioka flashed his advantage in power early, dropping the Thai beltholder in the second when they simultaneously landed left hands. Then, one minute into the fifth round, the youngster had Sithsamerchai writhing in agony from a left hook/uppercut timed and placed perfectly as the champ wildly came forward. Referee Bruce McTavish instantly waived the fight off, as it was apparent the Thai would not recover.

The hyped prospect debuted to a packed house in Osaka just 22 months ago, publicly making it his goal to attain a world title quicker than record holders Joichiro Tatsuyoshi and Nobuo Nashiro. Making his way to the ring with only six appearances in the paid ranks, Ioka was perceived to be a talented boxer-puncher, and though many of the wins on the his opponent’s ledger were of the predetermined-type, the 21-year old was clearly at a deficit in terms of experience. While his last fight against Masayoshi Segawa (which nabbed him the national light flyweight crown) was a solid performance, Ioka still had questions about his chin and would also have to drop a weight class for the opportunity.