Ioka (31-4-1, 16 KO) previously claimed belts at 105, 108, and 112 before a lengthy stay at 115 saw him enjoy two separate title reigns. At 36, he’s quite long in the tooth for the lower weight classes, but gave the ultra-aggressive Martinez two good scraps and seems to have at least something left in the tank.
Venezuela’s Ordosgoitti (15-1, 14 KO) has spent virtually his entire pro career in his home country, leaving only to drop a six-rounder to Angel Sauceda Hinojosa in the opening round of the WBC Grand Prix earlier this year. He’s 12 years younger than Ioka, but boasts an empty record.
It’s not entirely clear to me how the “eliminator” aspect of this will work. The WBA installed Ioka at no. 9 in their most recent rankings by virtue of his previous WBA title reigns, but Ordosgoitti is nowhere to be found. Moreover, the top of the division is a trainwreck right now; Seiya Tsutsumi was named champion in recess due to injury, only for the newly upgraded Antonio Vargas to withdraw due to a death in the family, prompting the WBA to throw Tsutsumi against interim champ Nonito Donaire next month. Even if Ioka trucks Ordosgoitti, you’d have to think he’s behind Vargas in the queue.
