Boxing history was made in Cebu last night, when Japanese Tomoki “El Mexicanito” Kameda snatched the WBO Bantamweight title from brash Namibian Paulos “The Rock” Ambunda via a lopsided unanimous decision victory at the the Pacific Grand Ball Room of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The win fulfilled the dream of Tomoki’s family of becoming the first family with three world boxing champions when he handily beat Ambunda, 118-110, 116-112, 117-111 in the main event of the “Battle of the Undefeated: WBO World Bantamweight Championship” card.
Koki, Kameda’s eldest brother is the current WBA Bantamweight champion while the older Daiki is a former WBA Superflyweight champion and is set to fight Mexican Rodrigo Guerrero on Sept. 3 for the vacant IBF super flyweight title.
Kameda appeared nervous at the start of the bout with hundreds of Japanese fans swarming the venue. But he managed to shed the initial jitters and puzzled Ambunda with his ring generalship.
His sharp jabs and torrid combinations frustrated the cocky Namibian all throughout the fight. And when Ambunda charges for the kill, the taller Tomoki’s accurate counter punching would push Ambunda back.
STILL UNBEATEN
Although Ambunda managed to hit Tomoki with several combinations in the middle rounds, the Japanese proved the busier fighter and highlighted his challenge by almost knocking down the former in the 12th and final round.
“I executed my plans perfectly. I fought him from a distance and landed my jabs and combinations when it mattered. But he is a very tough fighter, I did not knock him out that’s why I focused more on earning points,” said Tomoki.
Tomoki remained undefeated with 28 wins along with 17 knockouts while Ambunda suffered his first loss with 20 wins and 10 knockouts.
Tomoki broke into tears when the decision was announced. He said that he remembered when he was still a young boy who flew to Mexico with a big dream of someday becoming a world champion.
“I feel so happy because I made history and fulfilled the dream of my father,” said Tomoki who revealed that he is looking forward to fighting again in the country.
“He did a good job, he trained hard and now he is on top. I think this is just the start of something big for my little brother,” said Koki. Daiki said that his Tomoki finally proved to the boxing world that with sheer hard work, three brothers can become world champions.