16 Facts About Hiroki Ioka

Hiroki Ioka is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 1999.

Hiroki Ioka has held world championships in two weight classes, having held the WBC mini-flyweight title from 1987 to 1988, and the WBA light-flyweight title from 1991 to 1992.

Hiroki Ioka was the first ever WBC mini flyweight champion, winning the title immediately after the mini-flyweight division was created.

Hiroki Ioka won the Japanese mini-flyweight title in his eighth professional fight in 1987, and fought for the newly created WBC mini-flyweight title the same year, winning by unanimous decision to become the youngest Japanese boxer to win a world title, at 18 years and 9 months old.

Hiroki Ioka made his first defense against IBF mini-flyweight champion Kyung-Yun Lee in January, 1988, winning by knockout in the 12th round.

Hiroki Ioka made his second defense in June, 1988, against Napa Kiatwanchai of Thailand, retaining his title by a 12-round draw.

Hiroki Ioka had almost been knocked out by Kiatwanchai in the final round.

Hiroki Ioka was ordered to have a rematch with Kiatwanchai for his third defense in December, 1988, and lost his title by 12-round decision.

Hiroki Ioka fought Kiatwanchai again in June, 1989, for his former title, but lost again by TKO in the 11th round.

Hiroki Ioka moved up to the light flyweight division, and challenged undefeated champion Myung-Woo Yuh, for the WBA light-flyweight title in December, 1991.

Hiroki Ioka won a close split-decision victory, and defended his title twice in 1992.

Hiroki Ioka met Yuh again in his third defense of the title in November, 1992, but lost by decision, losing his title.

Hiroki Ioka moved up to the flyweight division in 1993, aiming to win titles in three weight classes, but lost to David Griman in Round 8 of the WBA flyweight title match.

In 2000, Hiroki Ioka fought a 14-year-old Koki Kameda in a two-round exhibition match, which was broadcast as part of a television documentary on the Kameda family.

Kameda was training at the Green Tsuda Gym at the time, where Hiroki Ioka trained for much of his career.

Hiroki Ioka's nephew, Kazuto Ioka, has won six amateur boxing titles, and is a four-weight world champion, having held the WBA and WBC mini-flyweight titles between 2011 and 2012, the WBA light-flyweight title between 2012 and 2014, and the WBA flyweight title between 2015 and 2017.