Japanese grabs WBA title to set new record
Tuesday, 28 December 2010 22:29
Tokyo.Koki Kameda beat Venezuela's Alexander Munoz on Sunday to win the WBA bantamweight title and become the first Japanese boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions.
"My dad told me, 'Bantamweight's impossible.' But I've won, so what do you think now, dad?" Kameda shouted after his victory.
The bout at Saitama Super Arena was one in which Kameda showed he had become independent from his father Shiro, who has been banned from corner duties for life. It also highlighted his position as the central pillar of the three Kameda boxing brothers.
When Kameda failed to defend his flyweight title in March this year, his father, whose license as a second had been suspended, unleashed a verbal tirade in protest against the decision. Afterwards, the Japan boxing commission revoked his license and the Kameda Boxing Gym ceased all operations for about a month.
In spite of the setbacks Kameda pulled the gym along. He served as a second in September when his 21-year-old younger brother fought to defend his title for the first time, and in September he took over as president of Kameda Promotion (the company that manages the boxing brothers) from his father.
"I think there are various things I can do," he said. For the latest fight, he came up with promotional initiatives, preparing 500-yen seats in a bid to spark interest in boxing.
To take part in Sunday's world title bout, Kameda decided to move up two weight categories, despite the risks involved. Looking back, his father commented, "I was anxious about it. I've never been that angry before." But Kameda went ahead with the move.
"You never know when chance will arrive," the 24-year-old boxer said. "This is both a goal and a new start.
"The second chapter of Koki Kameda begins here.(AFP)
"Williams started the game 5 of 5, including 3 of 3 on 3-pointers. He had 16 points by halftime, his only miss coming on a last-second driving layup that rolled off the rim.