Fight Week Preview

2023 will close out with a decent week of boxing. Fight fans will actually get two cards to close out the historic year for boxing. One PPV card in the US and the famous New Year's Eve card in Japan that will be headlined by WBA Super Flyweight champion Kaz Ioka.

The action kicks off on Friday in Brick City USA, Newark, New Jersey, as hometown favorite Vito Mielnicki Jr, 16-1 (11), looks to extend his win streak to nine as he battles Frenchman Salim Larbi, 22-12-3 (8) in a 10 round junior middleweight affair. Mielnicki has won eight consecutive since his 2021 loss to James Martin and has looked vastly improved in his recent outings, including his most recent fight, a first-round stoppage of Alexis Salazar Flores on the undercard of Benavidez-Andrade. Larbi last fought against Cornflake LaManna, who will be featured on the undercard, back in March and lost a competitive 10-round UD. He has also shared the ring with Fort Worthian John Vera, as well as Jeison Rosario and Esquiva Falcao. The PPV card also features "Blessed Hands" Joseph Adorno and undefeated 154-pounder Paul Kroll, who looks to bounce back from his deal with Guido Schramm this summer.

The action moves to Japan as Kaz Ioka, 30-2-1 (15), returns to the ring for the first time since taking Josh Franco's WBA Super Flyweight title this summer. He will put that belt on the line against Venezuelan Josber Perez 20-3 (18). Perez had one previous title fight and dropped a decision to Artem Dalakian in 2020 and dropped a wide decision. The card also features Bantamweight KO artist Daigo Higa, 20-2-1 (18), who battles Thai veteran Navapon Khaikanha, 58-3-1 (48).