Kaovichit Defends Against Kameda

Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit [47(20)-1(1)-1] vs. Japan’s Daiki Kameda [15(11)-1(0)-0]

Kaovichit’s WBA Flyweight (112 lbs.) title

October 6 (Tuesday) – Osaka, Japan

Denkaosan Kaovichit will put his title on the line against the notorious Daiki Kameda. Kameda will be the Thai’s third straight Japanese opponent. He won the title by knocking out former champion Takefumi Sakata in the second round last December in Hiroshima.

He followed it up with an extremely dull split decision win over Hiroyuki Hisataka five months ago.

Daiki Kameda is the middle of the popular Kameda brothers of Japan. Koki, the eldest is scheduled to challenge WBC flyweight titleholder Daisuke Naito in a highly anticipated bout in Japan next month. The 18-year old Tomoki is the youngest and is showing his wares in Mexico where he is currently based. He turned pro in November and has an impressive record of 10-0 with 9 KOs.

The head of the colorful Kameda family, Shiro, used to train Koki and Daiki until he was suspended by the Japanese Boxing Commission. On October 2007 against Naito for the WBC title, the flamboyant Daiki who was then trained by his father resorted to foul tactics in the later rounds as he was clearly behind on points. He punched Naito while he was down, pulled him down from the waist at least three times, picked him up and in reminiscent of WWE body slammed him against the canvas. Daiki was suspended for a year after that fight. Shiro was overheard by the TV microphones in between rounds instructing his son to elbow Naito.

Whether it’s a condition of the suspension or was really sincere, Daiki shaved his head in a sign of contrition and personally went to Naito’s house a week after to apologize. Shiro was reported to have called and apologized as well. Since his return, Daiki has been on an impressive roll at 5-0 with 4 KOs.

The entertaining Daiki is known to belt out a tune after a win and is expected to do so if he dethrones Kaovichit.

The Thai champion will earn at least one million baht ($30,000) by defending his title in Japan compared to 350,000 baht ($10,500) in his last bout in Thailand. That explains what seems like an illogical move to defend against an ignominious challenger in their home town.

Kaovichit weighed 111 ¾ lbs and Kameda at the flyweight limit of 112 lbs. in Monday’s official weigh-in.

If the version of Kaovichit that shows up Tuesday is the one that fought Hisataka, he is going back to Thailand beltless. A Daiki win and a Koki upset against Naito in November will make them the second pair of brothers to currently hold world titles at the same time. Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko hold 4 heavyweight world title belts.

I pick Kameda to win a close decision, probably controversial.