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With each passing year, traditional boxing has become more popular in Japan. This New Year’s Eve, young budding superstar Kosei Tanaka battles Kazuto Ioka for the WBO World Super Flyweight title in what should be one of the most exciting fights to land in 2020. Can boxing fans think of a better way to ring in the New Year? Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming bouts so you can place your bets against their Boxing odds.

Top Boxing Matches for New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec. 31st Fights

Daigo Higa -700 / Yuki Strong Kobayashi +475

Before Ioka and Tanaka throw down in their awesome brawl, Daigo Higa and Yuki Strong Kobayashi step into the ring for the WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Title. It makes sense that Higa is the favorite.

The 25-year-old is 16-1-1 with 16 knockouts. Daigo drew versus Seya Tsutsumi in his last fight. Higa is patient, has good defense, and should have no trouble against Yuki Strong.

But Kobayashi is on a two fight winning streak. He’s also won 5-of-6 while Higa has a loss and a draw in 2 of his last 3. So even though Yuki Strong has 8 losses on his record, he deserves a look at the odds. Higa and Kobayashi have similar fighting styles, meaning the in form underdog has a chance.

Boxing Pick: Yuki Strong Kobayashi

WBO World Super Flyweight Title: Ioka Vs Tanaka

Kazuto Ioka +155 / Kosei Tanaka -185

This will be 31-year-old champion Kazuto Ioka’s first fight in 2020. Ioka impressed in June 2019 when he beat Aston Palicte. The former champion didn’t use his jab in that fight.

But Kazuto did earn the win by staying patient and taking what Palicte gave him. Eventually, Iota got to Palicte in the tenth and ended the fight.

In his first defense, Kazuto beat then 11-0 Jayvier Cintron via unanimous decision. Ioka’s style is to wear down his opponents ala Julio Cesar Chavez. He makes a point to throw to the body. Every punch Kazuto throws has bad intentions.

Tanaka is the much younger fighter. At 25-years-old, Kosei has already built a great 15-0 record. He’s scored 9 knockout wins. Kosei is extremely skilled. Tanaka is a master at throwing from different angles. He does that by switching stances so that he can win the angle.

If Tanaka hits Kazuto with one of his power left hooks, he can take out the older fighter. That’s a big if, though. Kosei is a good fighter for sure, but if he tries to switch stances against Kazuto, Ioka figures to make him pay.

This is being hailed as a battle between experience versus youth. Although there is some truth to that, Kazuto Ioka is still in his prime. His patience should pay huge dividends on New Year’s Eve. Ioka pulls off the upset win.

Boxing Pick: Kazuto Ioka

Ioka Vs Tanaka Props

Ioka by KO, TKO, or DQ +850

Tanaka by KO, TKO, or DQ +375

Ioka wins by decision or technical decision +225

Tanaka wins by decision or technical decision +105

Draw or technical draw +1600

Neither Ioka or Tanaka has a major advantage. Because neither has a huge advantage, the draw is worth considering at +1600. A few rounds should be razor thin, meaning one judge may go for Ioka while another goes for Tanaka.

Also, consider playing Tanaka by KO, TKO, or DQ. Kazuto got to Aston Palicte late in that fight and Palicte and Tanaka have similar styles. Kazuto is patient.

So he won’t push the pace unless he must to win rounds. Ioka will be just as happy to win the fight via decision, as he would via knockout or technical knockout, making Ioka wins by decision or technical decision at +225 another attractive prop bet.

Ioka Vs Tanaka Wins in Round Props Analysis

If Ioka knocks out Tanaka, he will most likely do so in one of the following four rounds.

Ioka wins in Round 9 +5000
Ioka wins in Round 10 +8000
Ioka wins in Round 11 +10000
Ioka wins in Round 12 +10000

Again, Kazuto Ioka is a patient fighter. If you believe like we do that his experience gets him the win over favored Kosei Tanaka, and you believe he knocks out Tanaka, then Kazuto will likely take the victory in Round 9, 10, 11 or 12.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?