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Sidney Boquiren of RingwalkNippon recaps this past weekend's Japanese boxing action.  For more updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter

Koki Kameda stops Santos with body blows

Former WBC Flyweight champ Koki Kameda looked sharp in his first bout at 115-pounds, dropping opponent Cecilio Santos in the second round before finishing him off in the fourth. Making his return to the ring four months after Pongsaklek Wonjongkam handed him his first pro loss, the southpaw showed that he retained his speed and quickness in the higher weight class. Moreover, Kameda was much more effective with his aggression than he was when he fought the Thai stud, delivering a punishing attack to the Mexican’s midsection.

Kameda displayed good mobility from the start, quickly moving in and out with solid footwork. His opponent, on the other hand, looked everything like a boxer who has been fodder for prospects and current/former champions for the past 5-6 years. Coming in three pounds over the Super Flyweight limit at Saturday’s weigh-in, Santos was forced to a knee at the end of the second by a straight left to the midsection. He would take more brutal punches to the body in round three and eventually would not rise after Kameda unloaded a couple of hooks and a left uppercut in the beginning of the fourth. Referee Yuji Fukuchi counted the Mexican out at 0:49.

The 23-year old advanced his record to 23-1 (15KO). Santos slips to 24-15-3 (14KO).

Hoping to become Japan’s first three-division titleholder, Kameda would like to add another title to the belts he has from the 108 and 112-pound divisions. He did not make comments on plans for his next outing in the post-fight interview.

However, Daily Sports Online posted an article yesterday that states there is a possibility that Kameda could make a one-fight return to the Flyweight division for a rematch with Wonjongkam. That would seem to be a difficult proposition to materialize as representatives for former titleholder Daisuke Naito should have the option on naming the opponent for the Thai’s next WBC defense. Pongsaklek-Naito V is the fight we will probably see made. If Team Kameda is not able to negotiate a rematch, the article continues, they hope to target a ranked fighter in the 115lb division.

Daiki Kameda wins easily in non-title bout

Kameda’s younger brother, Daiki, the current WBA Flyweight strapholder, idle since winning the crown from Denkaosan Kaovichit in February, cruised to a wide unanimous decision over journeyman Rosendo Vega. The non-title bout was setup in order for Kameda to shake off the ring rust before taking on countryman and former champion Takefumi Sakata in September. The 21-year old left hooker used that punch as his main weapon throughout the fight but also managed to score a knockdown with his straight right in the third.

Whether it was done so to play mind games with Sakata, who was watching ringside, or to test out different strategies, Kameda switched in and out of three to four styles within the ten rounds. He started out in his usual, aggressive posture, heavily relying on the left hook – which he was able to land with regularity. He moved to a no guard, trying to box from the outside (though he used his jab only sparingly). In the middle rounds, Kameda attempted to lure Vega into jumping inside where a left hook counter was waiting. Though his normal style was more than adequate for this opponent, showing all of these abilities gave Sakata something to thing about for their fall showdown.

Final scores read 100-90 (twice) and 100-91. Kameda’s record was lifted to 17-2 (11KO), while Vega dropped to 16-6 (11KO).

While it must have served some benefit for Kameda to log in a few rounds, this writer is just thankful he came out unscathed, free of cuts and injuries that might affect the September 25 date with Sakata.

Ioka batters Alcoy

Highly touted Light Flyweight prospect Kazuto Ioka made his debut on national airwaves, and though broadcaster TBS decided to shorten his airtime, the 21-year old was able to show some of his skills in stopping Albert Alcoy (8-5-3, 2KO). Armed with a good variety of punches in his arsenal, Ioka wore the game Filipino down gradually with left hooks and uppercuts, one-twos, and a steady helping of body blows. The referee stepped in when the Osaka native rocked a vulnerable Alcoy with a straight right at 1:57 in the ninth.

Ioka’s performance was solid offensively (though this writer would like to see him throw his jab more often), but he also showed some improvement in his defense, particularly his guard. The prospect was floored for the first time in his entire boxing career in April by the hands of warhorse Heri Amol. Against Alcoy, while there were a few spots where he ate several unnecessary punches, he faired much better against a very aggressive opponent.

The phenom, now 5-0 (3KO), has made it his goal to break the national record for winning a world title in the fewest number of pro bouts. Ioka is currently rated #10 by the WBC. His handlers, lead by his uncle – former two-division world champ Hiroki Ioka – also would like to see him achieve the feat. According to Osaka Hochi, Team Ioka says that they have already contacted WBC strapholder Omar Nino and hope to negotiate a fight for October or December.

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For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter