Boxing fans will need to be up early in order to watch the WBO super flyweight title fight between Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka on New Year’s Eve at the Ota City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan. The fight card kicks off at 3 a.m. ET. Below, we break down the Ioka-Tanaka bout with betting odds, picks and predictions.
Ioka vs. Tanaka: Tale of the tape
Ioka (25-2) puts his belt on the line for a second time against three-weight world champion Tanaka (15-0) in a battle of countrymen on New Year’s Eve. Ioka seems to enjoy fighting on NYE, which is a tradition in Japanese boxing, as he took down Jeyvier Cintron on points in 2019. In the co-main event, Tanaka also demolished Wulan Tuolehazi in a third-round knockout on the final day of the calendar year in 2019.
Ioka, who is the first Japanese fighter to win world titles in at least four weight classes, was briefly retired at the age of 28. He had an 18-month hiatus due to a dispute with his dad and promoter, so he is fresher than most 32-year-olds. Meanwhile, Tanaka is the fastest Japanese fighter to win a world title in three weight classes, and he accomplished that feat in just 12 total pro bouts. He enters the ring at 25 years old and is a rising star in the Land of the Rising Sun.
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Ioka vs. Tanaka betting odds, predictions and picks
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 11:50 a.m. ET.
TANAKA (-190) is a moderate favorite to take care of Ioka (+150) and ring in the New Year with a belt. He is a good play on the 3-way line as long as it goes no higher than -200.
In addition, playing TANAKA ON POINTS (+110) is the best bet in terms of Method of Victory. We’re unlikely to see a repeat performance of his New Year’s Eve knockout from last year, as Ioka is night and day better than the Chinese combatant he faced last year at this time.
It’s a more than good bet this fight is decided by the judges, but if you choose not to specify a winner and just bet Yes (-375) on ‘Will the fight go the full 12 rounds?’, it’s quite expensive, and a bit too risky. Roll with Tanaka for the best value.
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