Japanese Scene: Koki Kameda vs Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Preview

Sidney Boquiren of RingwalkNippon previews Saturday's flyweight world title clash between Koki Kameda and Pongsaklek Wonjongkam.  For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter

As a preview of this Saturday’s WBC Flyweight title bout between champion Koki Kameda (22-0, 14KO) and interim champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (74-3-1, 39KO), we will take a look at Kameda’s persona outside the ring and his evolution inside it, followed by my prediction for the fight.

Koki’s Public Image in Japan

Koki Kameda is perhaps the most polarizing sports figure in Japan currently – with boxing fans, celebrities, and the general public split as to whether he is to be cheered or vilified. Pointing to issues ranging from pre-fight antics that include eating and drinking in front of opponents who were struggling to cut weight to advantageous match-making that resulted in a string of bouts against no-hopers, anti-fans take every opportunity to site the 23-year-old’s apparent lack of sportsmanship and to question his true abilities.

When Daiki Kameda fought then WBC Flyweight champion Daisuke Naito on October 11, 2007, TV microphones caught Koki instructing Daiki to elbow the champion in the eye. While younger brother did not execute such a hideous act, the family immediately became the scorn of the nation. Father and trainer Shiro Kameda had his second’s license revoked and voluntarily withdrew from the sport temporarily, Daiki was suspended for a year, and Koki was severely reprimanded by the Japanese Boxing Commission.

Though the turmoil that resulted from the Naito/Daiki fight certainly was not favorable for the Kameda clan, one could point to those events as a turning point for Koki and his braggadocio outside of the ring. Koki was the lone representative of the family present for the press conference that was held by Kyoei Gym days after the bout. Just short of his 21st birthday and forced to field questions from media personnel that refused to let him and his family off lightly, Koki was admirable in taking a very public beating.

Last November 29, a little over two years since little brother’s fight with Naito, Koki stepped into the ring with the 35-year old and turned in a performance that was unexpected by more than a few boxing pundits and spectators. Expertly controlling distance, using footwork and speed to set up counter punches, and displaying poise and the ability to adjust, Kameda won a unanimous decision and earned his second world title in as many weight classes.

In addition, Koki went out of his way to thank Naito for the opportunity in his post-fight interview, an act that would not have been expected from him in the past.

Since the title-winning effort, Kameda has been making the rounds as a guest on popular television shows where he comes off as a pleasant, if not amusing, personality. To the surprise of many, he has shown that he can speak the more polite forms of the Japanese language and that he is not simply a bullying brute.

Despite the changes he’s made, Koki is still very flamboyant compared to his compatriots and will try to get inside the mind of his opponents. In addition to an interview published in the latest issue of Boxing Magazine, where Pongsaklek alluded that the current titleholder is unfit to be a true champion due to his lack of integrity, he further remonstrated Kameda a few days ago by saying he does not have manners. At Wednesday’s pre-fight medical check-up, Koki fired back by saying, "This is going to be a war. I will kill you. You will never beat me if you insist on being humble."

Had this been Koki Kameda circa 2007 or before, those words would have sounded like an empty attempt to intimidate the Thai champion or merely a childish tantrum. However, from the current version of Kameda, one who sees boxing more as a game rather than an outright brawl (as he once believed), the verbal barbs sound like a calculated attempt to get a reaction – in or out of the ring – from his opponent.

From Brawler to Boxer-Puncher

That shift in mentality is also evident inside the ring as Kameda’s style has gone through several iterations throughout his 22-bout career. Evolving from the brawler that overwhelmed outclassed opponents to an in-and-out boxer-puncher, able to counter from distance or swap power punches inside. Approaching fights as a game and designing a strategy to win brought him success against Daisuke Naito, and should put him in better position to challenge the world’s elite fighters at 112 and above.

Kameda has had clear advantages in speed and power over most, if not all, of his opponents to date, and he was able to very simply overpower and out-maneuver those he faced early in his career. With a high, tight guard, he could work himself inside where he would have the upper hand delivering crisp, compact punches with good power. Superior hand speed was also evident, however, rather than employing combinations more often his attacks would come in the form of single shots. As he began to further develop, his attack began to include a nice double right hook and a solid lead left, both of which could be good weapons in Saturday’s fight against fellow southpaw Pongsaklek.

The first Light Flyweight title bout with Juan Jose Landaeta, however, was a rude awakening for the young prizefighter. Dropped in the first round by a right hook, Kameda had to paw his way back into the fight, finally establishing some dominance in the middle rounds when he put his punches together. As there was not much variation or strategy in his attack, he continued to stalk his opponent, eating punches as he tried to work his was into position to mount some offense. Landaeta made his own charge in the late rounds being much more effective in keeping Kameda at the end of his stick. Though he managed to squeak out a controversial split decision victory, it was clear to Kameda that he would have to make adjustments in the future to ensure victories at the world-class level.

The rematch, occurring four months later, saw Kameda fight with a completely different style – focusing on footwork, using his jab and boxing, rather than boring into his opponent face first. It was a defensive-minded style to avert getting hit, and surprisingly, Kameda was able to execute it well enough that he gained confidence by the middle rounds to be more offensive as well.

Against Daisuke Naito in November, Koki further built on the success of the new Kameda style, controlling distance and reacting to the champion’s linear attack. Though Naito is known for being an unorthodox fighter, whose punches come from unexpected angles, his biggest flaw throughout the bout was that he kept coming forward without adjustments in his assault, making it rather easy for Kameda to pick him apart. Furthermore, Koki used Naito’s aggression even more effectively after scores were announced following the 8th round, unleashing lead lefts that found its mark against the charging champion.

It will be interesting to see how Kameda has further evolved when he begins to trade punches with Pongsaklek on Saturday. He has continued to come to fights in excellent shape and his athleticism has never been questioned. His advantages in speed and power have become even more effective as Kameda has shifted to a calculating and reactive style. Now that he has proved to himself that he can use footwork and boxing skills to win, Koki should be as confident as ever when he enters Ariake Colosseum Saturday.

Prediction - Koki Kameda vs Pongsaklek Wonjongkam

Kameda has clear advantages in speed and youth, and has far less mileage in the ring – though many of the bouts on Pongsaklek’s record were pathetic mismatches that ended quickly. It will be difficult for the Thai champion to chase and catch Koki if Kameda has made even more improvements with his footwork and boxer-puncher style. Should the fight come down to a battle of right hands, as some Japanese boxing media outlets suggest, then Kameda certainly has a nice weapon in a double hook (though I do not think he has been using it much recently) and I expect that he has also been working on strengthening his jab as he is fighting more from distance.

Pongsaklek, on the other hand, should be as fit as he has ever been, apparently starting to train for the fight early. I do not think we will see him fade as he did against Naito in their most recent bout. He will have to work very hard if Kameda insists on controlling distance, as I suspect he will since I do not see Kameda being able to overpower the 32-year old. Should he be able to close space and bring the fight inside, Koki will have to be weary against the Thai’s dangerous uppercuts.

While I have changed my opinion of Kameda in learning more about the young titleholder, I am still leaning toward Pongsaklek for this fight. Yes, he is nine years older. Yes, Kameda is coming off perhaps his biggest professional victory while Pongsaklek’s only real challenge in the two years since Naito IV was his fight with Miranda last April. Yes, the fight is in Tokyo. However, I think the Thai will use his savvy to find a way to gain control of the fight. Koki can be hurt, and if Pongsaklek can touch him up, it will change the dynamic of the bout.

My prediction for the fight – which is also for the vacant RING Magazine Flyweight title - Pongsaklek Wonjongkam by close but unanimous decision.

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