The World Boxing Association (WBA) wishes a happy retirement to former super flyweight world champion Joshua Franco, who announced that he will no longer be an active boxer following his bout with Kazuto Ioka last weekend in Tokyo, Japan. 

Franco is a very special fighter in the history of the WBA as he became the first world champion after the pandemic. In July 2020 he stepped into the ring against Andrew Moloney after a long hiatus due to Covid-19.

The famous Las Vegas “Bubble” served as the venue for the first fight in months and it was for the WBA 115-pound title. On that occasion, Franco prevailed over the Australian in a close fight that meant a lot to boxing and made him the first to ever hold a world belt in a good era. 

The Professor made several defenses of his title and always showed great strength despite the inconveniences he had in his last fight. From the WBA we are proud to have had him and we continue to hold his hand in any project he undertakes from now on. Thank you, Joshua.