[Crimson]

Saturday, July 4th, 1992
Prefectural Gymnasium; Osaka, Japan
Hiroka Ioka 19-5-1 (9) Japan WBA
vs.
Jacob “Baby Jake” Matlala 38-13-1 (19) South Africa

Japan’s Hiroka Ioka had a difficult 1st defense of his WBA title ahead of him in Jacob Matlala. Although the South African had 13 losses on his record, other than a 10th round KO loss to Dave McAuley in 1991 while challenging for the IBF Fly Weight title, all of Matlala’s losses were by decision. Many of those disputed.

Ioka had gone 0-3 in the “Team Championship” matches with 2 of the losses (Lu4 Danny Nunez and Lm4 Robinson Cuesta) against fighters Matlala had beaten by decision. This was expected to be a very difficult title defense for Ioka, even though he would be fighting on home turf at the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka. It would be Ioka’s 12th fight at the venue where he had upset Myung-Woo Yuh for the WBA title in 1991 and had a record of 9-2 (2). Still, the odds makers had installed Matlala as a 3-2 favorite.

Famous as the home to the “Grand Sumo Tournament”, Osaka’s “Prefectural Gymnasium” was close to sold out with 7,950 paying customers. Ioka was down in the 3rd from a combination to his head and body. In the 5th Ioka hurt his right hand and used it sparingly for the fights remainder. Anthor Matlala combination in the 11th sent Ioka briefly to the canvas. Most of the rounds were close, with the edge going to Matlala. The judges were unanimous in declaring Matlala the victor by scores of 118-107, 118-108, and 119-107.
Jacob Matlala Wu12 Hiroka Ioka (wins WBA Light Fly title)