Aston Palicte vs Kazuto Ioka Preview June 19th
The vacant WBO Super flyweight Title is on the line in Chiba City, Japan this Wednesday, June 19th when Aston Palicte of the Philippines takes on former world Minimumweight and Light flyweight Champion Kazuto Ioka of Japan. The bout can be seen live in North America on UFC Fight Pass. Palicte’s last fight took place in January when he stopped Jose Martinez in the second round. Ioka last fought on New Year’s Eve when he lost a split decision to Donnie Nietes for the same vacant title. Palicte fought to a draw with Nietes last September.
Palicte vs Ioka Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Aston Palicte +150
- Kazuto Ioka -200
My Pick
The 28-year-old Palicte hails from Bago City. He turned pro in 2010 after a good amateur career and has 119 rounds of experience under his belt. He has a fine record of 25-2-1 along with 21 big Kos which translates into a current knockout ratio of 75 per cent. Palicte has been stopped once as Romnick Magos halted him after the fourth round in 2012. His other defeat came at the hands of Junior Granados via a 10-round split decision in March of 2016.
Palicte stands 5-feet-7-inches tall and owns a 68-inch wingspan. He’s stepped up in class in his last two fights by facing Nietes and Martinez and has handled himself rather well. Since turning pro he’s also won some regional titles including IBF Pan Pacific, and the WBO Oriental Super Flyweight Titles. He has speed, power and solid boxing skills and will be fighting in Japan for the first time.
As for Ioka, he’s a 30-year-old who hails from Osaka. He carries around a record of 23-2 with 13 Kos. Along with losing to Nietes he also dropped a split decision to Amnat Ruenroeng in a shot at the IBF Flyweight Title in 2014. Ioka won the vacant Japanese Light Flyweight Crown in his sixth pro fight and then won the WBC Minimumweight Belt in his next outing when he stopped Kittipong Jaigrajang in the fifth round. He defended the belt three times and added the WBA Minimumweight Title in his third defense with a unanimous decision over Akira Yaegashi.
Ioka then took the WBA Light Flyweight Crown on New Year’s Eve 2012 by stopping Jose Rodriguez in the sixth round. He defended it nine times including wins over Juan Carlos Reveco (twice), Roberto Domingo Sosa, Keyvin Lara and Nare Yianleang. Ioka moved up to super flyweight last September and captured the WBC Silver Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over McWilliams Arroyo. Ioka is 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 66.5-inch reach which gives him a two-inch height and 1.5-inch reach disadvantage against Palicte. He owns a solid chin with a 52 per cent knockout ratio.
Prediction…
This is a pretty even matchup with Palicte having the edge in power and Ioka possessing the better chin. They both have speed and mobility and this should be a close bout. Japanese boxers have hit a rough patch over the past few months but with Ioka fighting at home and with his experience he should be able to stop the skid.
I’m going with Ioka in a very close call.
Play: Ioka -200 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Aston Palicte betting • Kazuto Ioka betting