The fight between Argentina’s Fernando Martinez and Japanese hero Kazuto Ioka in Tokyo, Japan provided fans with a great action fight, but unfortunately, it was overshadowed by unfathomable scoring. Martinez managed to defeat Ioka by a 12 round unanimous decision, but the scores given by the judges were simply unacceptable. Two out of the three cards had incredibly wide margins of 120-108, 117-111, and 116-112 in favor of Martinez, despite the fight being a close and hard-fought battle.
The outrage from fans was justified, as the scoring did not accurately reflect the competitive nature of the fight. Martinez, who now holds the IBF and WBA super flyweight belts, is now 17-0(9), while Ioka fell to 31-3-1(16) with his first defeat since 2018. Despite the close and back-and-forth action in the ring, the judges’ decision managed to taint what should have been a memorable boxing match.
The bout between Martinez and Ioka was filled with excitement from the opening bell, as Martinez came out aggressively to set the pace against the older, more experienced Ioka. Both fighters exchanged heavy blows, with Martinez appearing to have the upper hand in the early rounds. However, Ioka showed his resilience and defensive skills by weathering the storm and delivering some counter punches of his own.
As the fight progressed, Ioka found his rhythm and began to outwork Martinez in the middle rounds. The battle showcased the heart and determination of both fighters, with Martinez showing signs of fatigue towards the end while Ioka pushed forward with his relentless pressure. The fight could have easily been scored as a one or two-point victory for either fighter, or even a draw, considering the competitive nature of the rounds.
Ultimately, the controversial decision made by the judges marred what was a fantastic showcase of skill and heart from both Martinez and Ioka. The boxing world once again witnessed the impact of poor judging on the sport, as fans were left frustrated and disappointed by the outcome of the fight. The focus shifted from the impressive performance of the fighters to the incompetence of the judges sitting ringside.
The Martinez vs Ioka fight will be remembered not for the action-packed rounds and the display of talent from both fighters, but for the questionable scoring that tarnished the result. It serves as a reminder of the importance of fair and accurate judging in boxing, as it can influence the careers and legacies of the fighters involved.