Kazuto Ioka discusses recent police investigation, livid with Japanese Boxing Commission

The morning of April 6 began like every other for Kazuto Ioka. The WBO junior bantamweight titleholder had loved breakfast together with his spouse and younger son and was about to move to the health club for a morning exercise.

All of the sudden and with out warning there was a knock on the door that had enormous ramifications for him and his household.

“At first, neither I nor my spouse might work out what occurred or what it was all about,” Ioka instructed The Ring. “My spouse was very scared and frightened as she was surrounded by practically 10 law enforcement officials on the foyer of our condominium.

“After I heard her name for me, I went to the doorway and noticed there have been many law enforcement officials, so I used to be very shocked. A police officer instructed me {that a} hashish part was detected within the outcomes of a previous doping take a look at [after the Kosei Tanaka win in December] and instructed me they’d a search warrant to analyze our residence.”

Ioka, who’s rated No. 3 by The Ring at 115 pounds, was stunned.

“From the second all this was taking place, I used to be firmly satisfied and believed I used to be harmless,” stated the four-weight world titleholder. “However as a result of this was my first expertise with the police, I adopted their directions.

“I used to be interrogated for five-six hours. I additionally voluntarily took a urine take a look at throughout this time. From the start of the search warrant to the tip of the interrogation, I used to be handled like a legal by the police.”

Ioka together with his household. Photograph from Ioka’s official Instagram web page.

Ioka is especially disillusioned in the way in which issues had been dealt with by the habitually environment friendly JBC (Japan Boxing Fee), who didn’t look to assist him.

“I can’t forgive Japan Boxing Fee’s mishandling and seemingly maliciousness actions in direction of me,” stated a clearly disgruntled Ioka. “I felt as if they ended my preventing profession, my household’s [life] and my life.”

Whereas Ioka has since been exonerated, he hasn’t acquired a proper apology from the JBC and the entire incident has left a long-lasting impact on him and his household.

“My innocence was confirmed, however the injury executed to my household and I [has] not healed,” he stated. “We’re deeply hurting. Additionally, my followers and the general public are very skeptical of me and nonetheless query my integrity.

“JBC has revealed an apology on their web site. It feels unusual to obtain an apology in writing in regard to this. I’ve not acquired a direct private apology right now. My soul and physique really feel weakened.”

The 32-year-old Ioka, who’s tabbed to face necessary challenger Francisco Rodriguez Jr. within the coming months, is adamant that adjustments must be implanted contained in the JBC: “To forestall this from taking place to any fighter, I want to see a reorganization of your complete JBC group.”

The pound-for-pound star’s administration group, TLAROCK Leisure, are steadfast of their assist of Ioka and put forth a number of points that have to be addressed.

“We want them to revive his honor in good religion,” stated Yusuke Ninomiya of TLAROCK Leisure. “We have now despatched a written request to the JBC government members to acknowledge the duties of the JBC to reform the group: Pursue and make clear the reason for private data leaked to the media; set up Doping Rules by complying with the worldwide requirements; make a honest apology to Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka. We search for JBC to take measures to re-establish the consideration and names of each fighters.”

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