Kaovichit Outpoints Kameda

Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit [48(20)-1(1)-1] vs. Japan’s Daiki Kameda [15(11)-2(0)-0]

October 6 (Tuesday) – Osaka, Japan

There goes the Kamedas opportunity to be the lighter version of the Klitschkos, or at least for now.

Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit successfully invaded enemy shores once again as he outclassed the popular yet notorious Daiki Kameda of Japan by a questionably close majority decision; 115-113 (twice) and 114-114.

Kaovichit dominated the early rounds and was well ahead when Kameda finally found his stride or a glimpse of it. Kaovichit safely kept his distance and clinched whenever Kameda tried to get something going. The fight lacked the action and the controversy that Daiki is known for. One thing is for sure, this fight is not going to the classic archives.

The Thai champion won the title by knocking out former champion Takefumi Sakata in the second round last December in Hiroshima. He successfully defended it over another Japanese opponent in Hiroyuki Hisataka five months ago in Thailand.

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 last November and has an impressive record of 10-0 with 9 KOs.

A Daiki win coupled with older brother Koki’s possible upset over Naito next month would have given the Kamedas the only other brothers that hold simultaneous world titles aside from the vaunted Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko.

This is Daiki’s second failed title shot. His first bid was against Naito on October 2007. A foul-plagued match warranted Daiki’s suspension for a year by the Japanese Boxing Commission. Japan only recognizes the WBA and WBC so a shot on taking a seat, record-wise so to speak, next to the Klitschkos might not be possible in quite awhile.

The Thai champion earned at least one million baht ($30,000) in this fight and a unification against the winner of the Daisuke Naito - Koki Kameda blockbuster will definitely be something worth looking into.

Dennis Carreon can be reached at denniscmc@gmail.com