The word war between WBO Bantamweight champion Paulos “The Rock” Ambunda and challenger Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda turned nasty yesterday during the circus-like press conference at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug.
Both boxers, who will tangle in the 12-round mainer of the “Battle of the Undefeated: WBO World Bantamweight Championship” tomorrow (Aug. 1), traded harsh words that had members of the local and international media on excitement mode.
It all started when Ambunda (20-0, 10 KOs) told Kameda (27-0, 18 KOs) that he will punish the latter in every round and turn his dream of making boxing history into a horrible nightmare.
“I’m not here to just step inside the ring and fight. I’m here to defend what’s mine,” hollered Ambunda as he repeatedly made provocative gestures towards his Japanese rival. He also vowed to go after the latter’s brothers, WBA bantamweight king Koki and former WBA flyweight champ Daiki once he’s through punishing him.
If Tomoki beats Ambunda, he and his two brothers will make boxing history as the only brothers to reign supreme in their respective divisions.
That thing though, will never happen, assured Ambunda’s manager Nestor Tobias.
SUFFER THE SAME FATE
“After the fight, the referee will announce, ‘And still, the WBO champion, the Rock Ambunda,” shouted Tobias.
Present at yesterday’s fiery press conference were WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel, promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud, WBO supervisor Luis Perez, fight judges and referee Raul Caiz Sr.
Ambunda also boasted that if he was able to dominate Pong Luang Sor Singyu en route to snatching the latter’s WBO belt last March, he sees no reason why Kameda shouldn’t suffer the same fate.
A composed Kameda on the other hand, said that he is very prepared for this fight and urged everyone to watch it.
Ambunda however, continued criticizing Kameda and said that the latter is used to fighting “below average” boxers to the chagrin of Japanese media who covered the activity.
The tension reached boiling point when a member of Ambunda’s team suddenly stood up and told Kameda that after their boxer is finished with him, his brothers will be next.
Koki Kameda also defended his brother against the South Africans’ trash talking.
“It’s very impossible for Ambunda to win against Tomoki, how much more if he faces me? I’m sure Tomoki will win 100 percent. If you want to prove something, don’t say it, prove it inside the ring,” said Koki. “The referee will announce after the fight that there is a new champion and I’m sure of it,” added Koki.
Valcarcel for his part, expressed excitement about the upcoming duel and said that it’s a pleasure to hold the fight in Cebu, which he described as the heart of boxing in the Philippines.
The card’s official weigh-in will be held today at the same venue.