Joshua Franco has a clear strategy as he plans to beat Kazuto Ioka in their rematch.
The super flyweight pair contested Franco’s WBA super flyweight strap and Ioka’s WBO belt when they met last year, with the fight judged a draw.
A rematch - with Franco the only champion this time around - will go ahead in Japan on June 24, and speaking to the DAZN Boxing Show, the 27-year-old American explained he would try a more ambitious approach, ideally winning via stoppage.
Giving more detail, he said: “I think I need to make my combinations a bit more clear, land my punches a bit more clear.
“I was the busier fighter but my punches weren’t as clear as I wanted. This time I want to dominate in the same way but make it clearer for this fight.”
Of a potential knockout, he confirmed, “That is the plan, we don’t want it to go to the judges, but if it does we want to make it a very clear win, so everyone is able to see that I’m the clear winner for that fight.”As he approaches what is likely the second half of his career, he admitted that he may have to consider moving up a weight class in the near future.
He continued: “We’ll see for a couple more fights, we’ll see how the weight goes for this fight. It’s always a struggle to make weight, but it’s getting a little bit harder, but for now we’ll be here.
“For sure, he’s my toughest opponent, he’s just the toughest and one of the best. A three division world champion, you’ve got to respect him for that. He’s a real patient fighter, you can tell he’s experienced, waiting for the next setup.”