World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Shisei Boxing Gym will face International Boxing Federation super flyweight kingpin Fernando Martinez of Argentina on July 7 in Tokyo in the title unification fight as they both held a joint press conference at a Tokyo hotel on Apr. 22.

  The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena under the banner of LIFETIME BOXING FIGHTS 22.

  While the 35-year-old Ioka had wanted to fight with World Boxing Council super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico next, he said, ‘’I have always wanted to fight with Martinez as an option for the failure to face Estrada. Since the title unification fight is special to me.’’

  Ioka, who suffered his first defeat as a professional boxer when he was decisioned by then IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand in 2014, continues, ‘’I want to capture a championship belt concerned with the IBF.’’ An IBF title is the only title Ioka has not yet gotten among the titles of the four major world sanctioning bodies.

  ‘’I don’t think I can stop him unless I overwhelm him at close quarters, which is his favorite distance. I hope I can knock him out in the end.’’ Ioka continued. If Ioka goes through the fight, he will to continue to seek a fight with Estrada.

  The undefeated Martinez, who is making his third defense of the title he won from Jerwin Ancajas of the Philippines in February 2022, said, ‘’I myself have always wanted to have this fight. I like Ioka’s fighting style. I will not shy away from my opponent. Rather, I will fight with my opponent head-on. I will show the kind of fight our spectators can go home satisfied and bring his championship belt back to Argentine.’’

  Ioka has a record of 31 wins, including 16 KOs, against two losses and a draw. For his part, the 32-year-old Martinez has 16 straight wins, nine by KO.