World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Shisei Boxing Gym held a public workout before a group of reporters on Dec 27 at his gym in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward in preparation for his title unification fight with World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Joshua Franco of the United States on Dec. 31 in Tokyo.

Engaging himself in two rounds of shadowboxing amid watchful eyes of his trainers Ismael Salas of Cuba and Shuhei Sasaki, the 33-year-old Ioka said after the training, ‘’Since it is a title unification fight, I want to win it by showing a high level of boxing.’’

Salas said, ‘’I checked Franco’s fight videos and checked his good points and bad points,’’ citing the importance of defense Ioka will have to observe against his aggressive opponent such as Ioka utilizing his footwork, forming a right angle with him (Franco), moving his upper body well and tight blocking. These are the exact things Ioka mentioned the other day.

While watching Ioka’s shadowboxing, the noted Cuban trainer nodded his head many times with satisfaction.

The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at Ota City General Gymnasium. Ioka, Japan’s only four-division world titlist, has a record of 29 wins, including 15 knockouts, against two losses. For his part, the 27-year-old Franco has an 18-1-2 win-loss draw tally with one no contest. He has eight KOs.