Kazuto Ioka-Donnie Nietes in the works for December 31st

Japan won’t have a monopoly on New Year’s Eve entertainment this year if Macau has anything to say about it. The folks at Asian Boxing report that top super flyweights Kazuto Ioka and Donnie Nietes are close to a deal, with an official announcement “in the coming days.” Thanks to S_J_G for the heads-up.

Ioka (23-1, 13 KO) unexpectedly retired at the start of this year, but returned in September on Superfly 3, showing no signs of rust in a dominant victory over McWilliams Arroyo. He’s won titles at minimumweight, light flyweight, and flyweight, racking up an impressive list of victims.

Nietes (41-1-5, 23 KO) has likewise earned titles in those three weight classes, and would have made it four but for some questionable judging against Aston Palicte on that same Superfly card. The WBO title he fought for remains vacant, but this fight could decide its owner.

The report also mentions a potential clash between TBE himself, Wanheng Menayothin (51-0, 18 KO), and Shin Ono (23-9-3, 6 KO) joining the card. The fight would be Menayothin’s first outside of his native Thailand.

Should this come together, it’s easily the best super flyweight matchup on the schedule. It’s not often you get to see two three-weight champions going at it while they’re both still in or near the primes.