IPINAHAYAG ng kanyang promoter na si dating multiple world champion Roy Jones Jr. na kailangan ni WBO No. 1 contender Aston Palicte ng Pilipinas ang “A-Game” para talunin si three-division world titlist at No. 2-ranked Japanese Kazuto Ioka sa kanilang sagupaan para sa bakanteng WBO junior bantamweight title sa Hunyo 19 sa Makuhari Messe sa Chiba City, Chiba, Japan.

Nagsasanay ngayon si Palicte sa Baguio City para sa laban na ipalalabas nang live ng UFC Fight Pass® sa buong mundo kaya kailangan ng Pinoy boxer na gamitin ang kanyang knockout power para talunin ang madiskrteng si Ioka.

“Ioka is a very solid boxer who has good head and foot movements,” sabi ni Jones sa BoxingScene.com. “He also counter-punches well. So, Aston will have to be on his ‘A’ game. He will have the edge in power, but he can’t allow Ioka to make him punch himself out.”

“Camp has been good,” diin ni Palicte. “I got in some sessions with my teammate, Kristian Hernandez, and American Ernel Fontanilla, in Manila. We’re training in Baguio for several reasons: focus, high altitude and sparring with Philippine National Team members.”

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Paglalabanan nina Palicte at Ioka ang koronang binitiwan ni four-division world champion Donnie Nietes na isa ring Pilipino at huling tumalo kay Ioka sa 12-round split decision noong Disyembre 31, 2018 sa Macau, China.

Nagtabla sina Nietes at Palicte sa kanilang sagupaan para sa bakanteng WBO super flyweight crown noong Setyembre 8, 2018 sa The Forum, Inglewood, California at malaking karanasan ang natutuhan ni Palicte sa pagsagupa sa kapwa Pinoy.

“Fighting Nietes for the world title helped a lot,” ani Palicte. “It taught me how to be composed and focused under pressure.”

“Ioka is definitely a top contender and I will not look past that,” diin ni Palicte.

May rekord si Palicte na 25-2-1 win-loss-draw na may 21 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Ioka na may kartadang 23 panalo, 2 talo na may 13 pagwawagi sa knockouts.