World Boxing Association super flyweight champion Joshua Franco of the United States said on Dec. 28 he wants to have a dramatic fight in his title unification bout with World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Shisei Boxing Gym on Dec. 31 in Tokyo.

Speaking before a group of reporters at the gym in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward, the 27-year-old Franco, accompanied by his trainer Roberto Garcia and his younger brother and former World Boxing Council super flyweight kingpin Jesse Rodríguez, said he is in very good condition and wants to have a kind of fight worthy of entering a new year.

Glasses-wearing Franco, nicknamed El Profesor for his intelligent appearance, said Ioka is an experienced good fighter. But what is important is to control the fight, adding he will show everything he has in his arsenals built through training.

The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at Ota City General Gymnasium. The 33-year-old Ioka, Japan’s only four-division world titlist, has a record of 29 wins, including 15 knockouts, against two losses. For his part, Franco has an 18-1-2 win-loss draw tally with one no contest. He has eight KOs.