World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight champion Joshua Franco held a media workout on Tuesday in Tokyo prior to his championship defense against Kazuto Ioka next Saturday.
Franco is making the fourth defense of his crown in a tough fight but he knows what it’s like to fight on Japanese soil and hopes to remain the champion after this bout.
Looking ready and in shape for the fight, the San Antonio native did some boxing moves and other warm-up exercises in front of the reporters and photographers who gathered at the venue. Franco said he was 100 percent ready and eager to step into the ring for this rematch.
“The Professor” has already been at the Ota-City General Gymnasium last December 31, where he drew with Ioka in a very competitive fight full of good moments. Now he will return with the intention of winning and leave no room for doubt.
Franco has been champion since June 2020, when he defeated Andrew Moloney by unanimous decision in Las Vegas. He defended against Moloney himself on two occasions (one fight without decision and another unanimous victory), to later draw with Ioka at the end of 2022.
Having completed his public workout, he now has to participate in the final press conference before the fight and step on the scales to make the 115 pounds required by the rules. Franco has a record of 18 wins, 1 loss, 3 draws and 8 knockouts.
