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.

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