Kazuto Ioka ( 23-2, 14 KOs) seized his fourth weight world title in Chiba, Japan on Wednesday, becoming the first Japanese fighter to do so by stopping the hard-punching Aston Palicte (25-3-1, 21 KOs) in the tenth round to capture the WBO 115-pound title.

In a wonderful display of counter punching, Ioka timed a great right hand midway through the tenth round that unsettled Palicte before a barrage of shots from Ioka made sure that the fight wouldnt go the distance, referee Kenny Chevalier stepping between the two fighters to allow Ioka his well deserved historic moment. Ioka has captured titles at 105, 108, 112 and the latest at 115 pounds.

Hiroto Kyoguchi (13-0, 9 KOs) continued unbeaten and successfully retained his WBA 108-pound title with a unanimous points win over Tanawat Nakoon (11-1, 5 KOs). The champion had his moments but the durable Nakoon remained upright but outpointed as the scores mirrored the one sided nature of the contest, all three scoring the fight by a margin of 5/6. Carlos Sucre (US) and Carlos Costa (Philippines) both scored 117-111 whilst Gloria Martinez (US) had it 117-112.