Kōki Kameda
| Kōki Kameda | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Kōki Kameda |
| Nickname(s) | Naniwa no Tōken (浪速の闘拳) "The Fighting Fist of Osaka"[1] |
| Rated at |
Light Flyweight Flyweight Bantamweight |
| Height | 1.66 m (5 ft 5.5 in) |
| Reach | 1.68 m (5 ft 6.2 in) |
| Nationality |
 Japanese |
| Born |
November 17, 1986 Osaka, Japan |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 33 |
| Wins | 32 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
Kōki Kameda (亀田 興毅 Kameda Kōki, born November 17, 1986 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese professional boxer and the former WBA (Regular) Bantamweight Champion. He is the oldest of the three Kameda brothers and presided over the Kameda Promotions.[2] His younger brother, Daiki Kameda, is a boxer and the current IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion, and the youngest brother, Tomoki, is the current WBO Bantamweight Champion, who currently fights in Mexico. Kōki is the former WBA Light Flyweight Champion. He gave up the title shortly after defending it once to move up to the flyweight division. He is also the former WBC Flyweight Champion and has a record of 32-1-0 (17 KOs).
Family
Kameda and his two brothers are by far the most well known boxers in Japan. Their father began training them when they were young, and Kōki Kameda was featured in a television series after winning several amateur tournaments. His brother Daiki is a professional boxer and the current WBA Flyweight Champion.[3] Kōki's youngest brother Tomoki, had been training for the Beijing Olympics, but was told he was too young to qualify for the Olympics. Tomoki decided to turn pro and is now the WBC Youth Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Champion.[4][5] While growing up in Osaka, they trained at the Green Tsunuda gym, which also produced former WBC minimumweight title holder and former WBA interim minimumweight title holder, Katsunari Takayama, who also happens to be a critic of the Kameda brothers.
Amateur career
Back in 2000 when Kameda was only 14 years old, Kameda managed to get some national attention by taking on former two time division world champion, Hiroki Ioka, in a 2 round exhibition match. Ioka was the inaugural WBC minimumweight champion and was also the former WBA lightflyweight champion, a title which Kameda himself would controversially win in August 2006. Kameda at first was believed to have got a first round knockdown on the former champion by landing a left straight and a right hook, but the referee ruled it as a slip. Kameda throughout the exhibition bout, would try to go for a knockout. However, the fight went the distance and this would jump start Kameda by going all out on the former champion.
Pro career
On August 2, 2006, in his first attempt for the world title, Kameda squared off with Juan Jose Landaeta of Venezuela in Yokohama, Japan, for the World Boxing Association light flyweight title. The fight was rather controversial as Kameda won the fight in a split decision despite getting knocked down in the first round and being dominated in the final two rounds. Further fueling controversy was the fact that the Korean judge who scored the fight 114-113 in Kameda's favor gave the final round to Kameda 10-9, although the perception by most observers was that the clearly exhausted Japanese boxer did nothing but tie up his opponent and try to avoid being knocked out in that round. If the Korean judge had scored the final round in favor of Landaeta, the Venezuelan would have won the bout. The match reinforced the existence of a home field advantage and the bias a foreign fighter must face when fighting on Japanese soil.
There were mixed reactions from the Japanese public after the fight. Some 50,000 calls complaining against the decision were made to TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System, the station that broadcast the fight) to complain about the decision. While some hailed the 19-year-old's aggressiveness and impressive technique, others believed Landaeta was obviously the better fighter and exposed Kameda's inexperience and questionable stamina. Despite the controversial nature of the decision, it was a close, bitterly contested bout. Scoring some of the very close earlier rounds for Kameda would give the young fighter the necessary buffer on the scorecards to required to win, despite Landaeta's late charge. Kameda's father and trainer's backlash against the critics went as far as death threats.[6]
Rematch & Defending the Title
On December 20, 2006, in a highly anticipated rematch, Kameda decisively defeated Juan Jose Landaeta at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan. Kameda employed a rather different boxing style from the one he used back in the title match on August. Kameda outboxed Landaeta for most of the match using his quickness and accuracy, and won by unanimous decision.
Kameda vacated his Light Flyweight Championship to move up to the Flyweight division on January 22, 2007.
Winning the WBC flyweight title
Koki Kameda beat Daisuke Naito on November 29, 2009 for the Lineal & WBC flyweight championships.[7]
Defending against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
On March 27, 2010, Koki Kameda fought Wonjongkam to unify the WBC Flyweight championship and interim WBC Flyweight championship. The winner would also claim the vacant The Ring's Flyweight championship. Wonjongkam defeated Kameda by a 12 round majority decision to become the WBC and Ring/Lineal Flyweight champion.
WBA Bantamweight title
On December 26, 2010 Kameda went up to the Bantamweight weight class and fought Alexander Munoz of Venezuela for the vacant WBA Bantamweight Regular Title. Kameda defeated Munoz by unanimous decision to win the title.[8] In May 2012, Kameda status was changed to "Champion in Recess", as he claimed an injury that prevented him from fighting mandatory contender and Interim Champion Hugo Ruiz.[9][10] Kameda was restored to Champion in November 2012, but vacated his title in December 2013, following a call for a unification match with WBA Super Champion Anselmo Moreno, in order to move down to the super flyweight division.[11]
Professional Boxing Record
| 32 Wins (17 Knockouts), 1 Defeat, 0 Draws[12] | |||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 32-1 |  Jung-Oh Son |
SD | 12 | 2013-11-19 | Grand Hotel, Jeju, South Korea |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 31-1 |  John Mark Apolinario |
UD | 12 | 2013-07-23 | Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title. |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 30-1 |  Panomroonglek Kaiyanghadaogym |
SD | 12 | 2013-04-07 | Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 29-1 |  Hugo Ruiz |
SD | 12 | 2012-12-04 | Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 28-1 |  Nouldy Manakane |
UD | 12 | 2012-04-04 | Yokohama Arena, Yokohama |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 27-1 | Mario Macias |
KO | 4 (12), 2:04 | 2011-12-07 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 26-1 | David De La Mora |
UD | 12 | 2011-08-31 | Nihon Budokan, Tokyo |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 25-1 |  Daniel Diaz |
RTD | 11 (12), 3:00 | 2011-05-07 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
Retained WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 24-1 |  Alexander Muñoz |
UD | 12 | 2010-12-26 | Saitama Super Arena, Saitama |
Won vacant WBA (Regular) bantamweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 23-1 | Cecilio Santos |
KO | 4 (10), 0:49 | 2010-07-25 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
|
| style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss | 22-1 | Pongsaklek Wonjongkam |
MD | 12 | 2010-03-27 | Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo |
Lost Lineal & WBC flyweight title. For vacant The Ring flyweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 22-0 | Daisuke Naito |
UD | 12 | 2009-11-29 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
Won Lineal & WBC flyweight titles |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 21-0 | Humberto Pool |
KO | 5 (10), 2:29 | 2009-09-05 | Differ Ariake Arena, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 20-0 | Dolores Osorio |
KO | 2 (10), 2:09 | 2009-09-05 | Saitama Super Arena, Saitama |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 19-0 | Salvador Montes |
UD | 12 | 2008-08-30 | Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León |
Won vacant WBA Inter-continental flyweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 18-0 | Marino Montiel |
TKO | 2 (10), 1:54 | 2008-07-12 | Palenque De La Expo, Hermosillo, Sonora |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 17-0 | Rexon Flores |
UD | 10 | 2008-03-22 | Makuhari Messe, Chiba City |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 16-0 |  Cesar Lopez |
UD | 10 | 2007-07-28 | Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 15-0 | Irfan Ogah |
TKO | 8 (10), 2:23 | 2007-05-23 | Central Gym, Osaka |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 14-0 | Everardo Morales |
UD | 10 | 2007-03-24 | Kokugikan, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 13-0 | Juan Jose Landaeta |
UD | 12 | 2006-12-20 | Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo |
Retained WBA World light flyweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 12-0 | Juan Jose Landaeta |
SD | 12 | 2006-08-02 | Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa |
Won vacant WBA World light flyweight title |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 11-0 | Carlos Fajardo |
TKO | 2 (10), 1:28 | 2006-05-05 | Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 10-0 | Carlos Bouchan |
KO | 6 (10), 2:20 | 2006-03-08 | Kokugikan, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 9-0 | Noel Arambulet |
RTD | 7 (10), 3:00 | 2005-11-26 | Saitama Super Arena, Saitama |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 8-0 | Wanmeechok Singwancha |
TKO | 3 (12), 0:50 | 2005-08-21 | Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Kanagawa |
Won OPBF flyweight titile |
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 7-0 | Saman Sorjaturong |
KO | 1 (10), 2:59 | 2005-06-20 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 6-0 | Yodkeng Singwangcha |
KO | 1 (10), 2:10 | 2005-02-21 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 5-0 | Nopadetchlek Chuwatana |
KO | 2 (10), 0:59 | 2004-12-13 | Central Hall, Osaka |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 4-0 | Daochai KT Gym |
UD | 10 | 2004-09-27 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 3-0 | Saming Twingym |
KO | 1 (8), 1:48 | 2004-05-22 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 2-0 | Prakan Twingym |
KO | 1 (6), 1:12 | 2004-03-13 | Central Gym, Osaka |
|
| style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win | 1-0 | Dennarong Sithsoba |
KO | 1 (6), 0:44 | 2003-12-21 | Central Gym, Osaka |
pro debut |
Criticism
Kameda is often criticized for his flamboyance, immaturity, and lack of respect both inside and outside the ring. He has never spoken courteously towards anyone in his numerous TV appearances, (considering that the Japanese language has tenses specifically used for courteous speech) and often taunts opponents with insulting presents and language. Criticism also revolves around his boxing skills and sportsmanship. The fact that Kameda's first six opponents had a combined record of 0-18 brought much criticism during the early part of his professional career. Many Japanese boxers, including former WBC Super flyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama and WBC Minimumweight title Eagle Kyowa, have stated that they could easily defeat Kameda if given a chance, and that his boasting and popularity are greatly out of proportion with his actual skills in the ring.
There was an outcry from the Japanese public about his first bout against Landaeta being fixed. Former world champions Guts Ishimatsu and Yasuei Yakushiji have commented that they believe Kameda lost the fight.[13]
He was also involved in the controversy surrounding his brother Daiki during his fight with Daisuke Naito. Koki escaped with a warning about advising Daiki to elbow Naito in the eye. His brother was suspended from fighting for one year and his father was suspended indefinitely for the incident.[14]
It was originally rumored and intended that Kameda would fight then WBC Light Flyweight title holder, Brian Viloria, in a WBA/WBC unification title fight. However, Kameda's controversial decision over Landaeta in the first match and Viloria losing to Omar Nino made the match difficult to produce further talks.
He is dubbed as Naniwa no Tōken (浪速の闘拳) in Japanese.[1] Naniwa is a former designation of Osaka. The nickname denotes "The Fighting Fist of Osaka", though it is sometimes derided by his anti-fans as "浪速の逃犬" (pronounced the same as the original one),[15] which means the run-away dog of Osaka.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 ニッカン★バトル 亀田特集 (in Japanese). Nikkan Sports. 2010-3. Retrieved 2013-11-23. Check date values in:
|date=(help) - ↑ "亀田３兄弟 - ボクシング". Nikkan Sports. 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-08.
- ↑ Gonzalez, Jhonny (2010-04-16). "Tomoki Kameda youngest brother in a talented Boxing family". Boxing Scene. Retrieved 2010-07-13.
- ↑ http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=29047
- ↑ http://www.informador.com.mx/deportes/2010/217035/6/tomoki-kameda-gana-titulo-intercontinental.htm
- ↑ JAPAN'S TEENAGE SENSATION KAMEDA TAKES WBA TITLE ON SPLIT DECISION FROM VENEZUELAN VETERAN (fightnightnews.com)
- ↑ Yahoo Boxing (November 29, 2009). "Kameda defeats Naito to win flyweight title". Yahoo Sports. p. 1.
- ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=Ariy9RIHhdthIBdHke2VCTiUxLYF?slug=ap-kameda-munoz
- ↑ http://wbanews.com/artman/uploads/1/RANKING_WBA_APRIL_2012_1.pdf WBA Official Ratings as of April 2012
- ↑ http://hugo-ruiz-still-waiting-on-koki-kameda-unification--54100 Hugo Ruiz Still Waiting on Koki Kameda Unification
- ↑ http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/wba-champ-kameda-vacates-his-bantamweight-title-232725
- ↑ Koki Kameda's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-11.
- ↑ Was Kameda vs Landaeta a fix? (Japan Today, August 10, 2006)
- ↑ BOXING: Daiki Kameda banned for year over violence
- ↑ Mitsuhiro Mizuno (2012-12-14). 興毅、辛くも王座防衛。相手のニックネームは "メキシコの亀田"! (in Japanese). Shueisha. p. 2. Retrieved 2013-11-23.
External links
| Vacant Title last held by Roberto Vásquez |
WBA Light Flyweight Champion August 2, 2006 – January 19, 2007 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Juan Carlos Reveco |
| Preceded by Daisuke Naito |
WBC Flyweight Champion November 29, 2009 – March 27, 2010 |
Succeeded by Pongsaklek Wonjongkam |
| Lineal Flyweight Champion November 29, 2009 – March 27, 2010 | ||
| Vacant Title last held by Anselmo MorenoChampion promoted to Super Champion | WBA Bantamweight Champion Regular Title December 26, 2010 – May 8, 2012 Status changed |
Vacant Title next held by Kōki Kameda |
| Vacant | WBA Bantamweight Champion in Recess Regular Title May 8, 2012 – November 9, 2012 Status changed |
Vacant |
| Vacant Title last held by Kōki Kameda |
WBA Bantamweight Champion Regular Title November 9, 2012 – December 6, 2013 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jamie McDonnell |