Joshua Franco stripped of WBA super fly belt after failed weigh-in

The World Boxing Association stripped Joshua Franco of his super flyweight belt Friday after the American failed to make weight on the eve of his championship defense against Kazuto Ioka of Japan.

While challenger Ioka weighed in successfully at 52.0 kilograms, Franco lost his belt in line with WBA regulations after coming in too heavy — first 3.1 kg over the limit at 55.2 kg, then at 55.0 kg two hours later.

Franco will have another weigh-in Saturday to make a limit of 130 pounds (58.9 kg) agreed upon by both parties.

The Japanese Boxing Commission said Ioka will become the new division champion with a win Saturday at Tokyo’s Ota City General Gymnasium, while a draw or a win for Franco will see the championship remain vacant.

The United States’ Joshua Franco weighs in for the WBA super flyweight world title bout in Tokyo on June 23, 2023. Franco failed to make weight and was later stripped of his belt. (Kyodo)

“I’ve gotten myself into the best shape. I’ll just give my best, whatever my opponent’s condition,” Ioka said at a press conference.

Commenting on Franco’s failure to even come close to the weight limit, JBC executive Tsuyoshi Yasukochi said he “can’t remember anything of this level.”

It will be a quick reunion for the pair after they battled to a 12-round draw at the same venue on New Year’s Eve in a title unification bout, with Ioka fighting as the World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion.

Joshua Franco (L) of the United States and Kazuto Ioka (R) of Japan attend at a press conference in Tokyo on June 23, 2023, a day ahead of their WBA super flyweight title match. (Kyodo)

The WBO, after the match, ordered Ioka to arrange a mandatory title defense against top-ranked countryman Junto Nakatani, but Ioka chose to vacate his belt in order to face Franco again.

On Wednesday, the Japan Boxing Commission said Ioka’s urine sample taken on New Year’s Eve showed traces of cannabis, but the rematch will go ahead as scheduled, as the amount of the substance was below the World Anti-Doping Agency’s detection limit.

“I’ve faced boxing squarely and haven’t lied to myself,” Ioka said. “There are lots of emotions, but the first thing is to get this bout to take place. I need to prove justice always prevails.”

Ioka is 29-2-1, including 15 wins by knockout, while Franco is 18-1-3 with eight KOs.

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