IBF world super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) has pulled out of their previously scheduled rematch against former four-division world champion Kazuto Yooka (31-3-1, 15 KOs) on December 31 due to influenza. war

Rematch delayed

No word yet on when they plan to reschedule the fight. Argentina's Martin, 33, will certainly need time to recover from his illness, but under ideal circumstances it shouldn't take too long.

That's bad news for the fans but perhaps a good thing for the 35-year-old Ioka, who was soundly defeated in their previous fight on July 7 in Tokyo, Japan.

Ioka has to find out fountain of youth Beat Martinez in a rematch. Martinez looked very old when he died last July. He has looked poor in recent fights over the last three years, but Martinez put a stamp on that with his one-sided victory last summer.

score

117–111
120-108
116-112

Given the one-sided fight, it's almost pointless for a rematch other than business. It wasn't a competitive enough fight for a rematch, but from Ioca's perspective, it's understandable why he'd want to at least try and avenge the loss. Never before in his 15-year career has he been beaten so hard.

However, his performances against Joshua Franco in 2022 and 2023 have already indicated that Ioka is at the end of his career. Ioka looked terrific in both fights and was very lucky to escape with a pair of losses.

Good decision by the 'Puma' team not to let him fight with influenza. We are waiting for the decision to postpone or to make a decision on this,” said Salvador Rodriguez XIBF super flyweight champion Fernando Martinez has responded to news that he has opted not to go ahead with his rematch against Kazuto Yoka due to illness. “Champion 'Puma' Martinez to not fight Dec. 31 due to influenza.”