World Boxing Organization’s mandatory challenger Kosei Tanaka of Soul Box Hatanaka Boxing Gym said on Dec. 18 he will aim at a knockout victory over WBO super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Ambition GYM at all costs in their title match at Tokyo’s Ota Ward Gymnasium on New Year’s Eve.

Showing his training to mass media by using a remotely controlled device, the 25-year-old Tanaka, an undefeated former three-division world champion, said, ‘’True he (Ioka) will fight with me with a thorough preparation, I am determined to seek a KO victory through the end of the fight.’’

Tanaka said the fact that he has moved up to super flyweight from flyweight will help him save the usual weight-reduction effort to a certain extent. Since he has been abiding by a good training method, he himself wants to see him ‘’the improved’’ Tanaka. He has been tackling with the improvement of concentration, which was one of his targets, and this would stand him in good stead in terms of his defense. ‘’I am in the best ever condition,’’ Tanaka added.

He also revealed the fact he had some one-hour telephone conversation with Donnie Nietes of the Philippines, who decisioned Ioka two years ago in the WBO super flyweight title match, and listened to the best way to fight (beat) Ioka, according to Soul Box gym head Kiyoshi Hatanaka. Although Hatanaka did not mention the content of the conversation with Nietes, Tanaka said, ‘’According to Mr. Hatanaka, he (Ioka) has about two specific weak points.’’

Tanaka also said he has gained a lot not only technically but also mentally when he had sparring with former World Boxing Council interim champion Takuma Inoue, a brother of Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue, in November.

‘’The name of the game is a generation change, which is very important. I painfully realized that through the sparring with Inoue, who is in the same generation,’’ Tanaka said.

Over the past one month, the gym is allowed to be used only by Tanaka, precluding other trainees for the purpose of the prevention of a possible novel coronavirus infection. Tanaka and his chief trainer received PCR tests twice in December, which resulted in negative. Photo / HATANAKA BOXING GYM,Andre