When Manny Pacquiaos hand was raised against Miguel Cotto a couple of weeks ago, boxing fans in the U.S. said goodnight to superfight season for 2009.
There are other parts which make up the world.
In one of them, a potential T.V. audience of between 30 and 50 million, if not more, will turn their attention to the Super Arena in Saitama City, Japan.
In Japan, Koki Kameda is big business. Its a rare turn, but a Japanese draw could end up big business for the entire Flyweight division. A couple of years ago, American Brian Viloria was briefly mentioned as a Japanese import to face Kameda.
With the drawing power hes building among the little men, its not hard to imagine a Viloria or World Jr. Flyweight champion Ivan Calderon tempting a trip in 2010.
Kameda has to win first. Hell have his work cut out for him. across the ring is a veteran champion who rebuilt himself from the ashes of an embarrassing knockout loss in 2002 into the lineal World and WBC Flyweight champion. Its a classic match-up of contrasting styles with old lion-young lion overtones.
Can Kamedas talent meet his stardom in the ring on Sunday?
Lets go to the report card.
The Ledgers
Daisuke NaitoAge: 35Title: Lineal World/WBC Flyweight Champion (2007-Present, 5 Defenses)Height: 54Weight: 112 lb.Average Weight Last Five Fights: 112 lbs.Hails from: Tokyo, JapanRecord: 35-2-3, 22 KOBoxingScene Rank: World ChampionRecord in Major Title Fights: 5-2-1, 2 KO, 1 KOBYCurrent/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (Pongsaklek Wonjongkam)Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced in Defeat or Drawn: 2 (Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Takefumi Sakata)
Vs.
Koki KamedaAge: 23Title: NonePrevious Titles: WBA Jr. Flyweight (2006, 1 Defense)Height: 55 Weight: 112 lb.Average Weight Last Five Fights: 112.75 lbs.Hails from: Tokyo, JapanRecord: 21-0, 14 KOBoxingScene Rank: #6Record in Major Title Fights: 2-0Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 2 (Noel Arambulet, Saman Sorjaturong, Juan Landaeta)
Pre-Fight GradesSpeed Naito B; Kameda A-Power Naito B+; Kameda B Defense Naito B; Kameda B+ Intangibles Naito B+; Kameda B
Kameda is the quicker man in this contest and the more classic boxer. he applies a steady, straight left jab and can pop a lead left hook or straight right hand with precision. he also has good balance and quick feet. Added together, if he can maintain a distance where Naito is regularly forced to reset, Kameda can control this championship contest. Hell need to because hes not likely to make the fight relying on power and Naito will have heavier hands.
Its easier, much easier, said than done. Naito may not have the edge in speed but hes awkward and ornery. he is the rare fighter who feints with his whole body, occasionally leaving his feet and stomping before punching. he doesnt use a jab often, instead wading in with an almost crab walk style and winging hooks to the head and body. Its not traditional but its effective. Naito will also plow forward with his head while punching and regularly swing from one side while slipping to the other. Get too close to his man, and Naito will clinch and grapple.
It can be a frustrating experience for opponents. Kameda knows that well. he saw it from the corner in 2007 when younger brother Daiki stepped in as Naitos first challenger. by the end of one of the most-foul filled contests of the decade, Daiki was so aggravated he resorted to body slams. Suspended for his behavior, that fight builds a natural grudge into this one and is Kokis first serious since at least the summer of 2008.
Defensively, Kameda can be good or bad. in his first title shot in 2006, for the vacant WBA belt at 108 lbs. versus the veteran Landaeta, Kameda was sucked into a trench war. Hurt at points, and lucky to escape on points as a winner, it was a learning experience in only his twelfth start. to Kamedas credit, he showed a world class learning curve. in the immediate rematch, Kameda used his feet to keep him from danger and at times put on a show, dominating for the decision win.
Naito is tough to catch but he can be caught and has been by lesser fighters. in his last outing, upstart Xiong Zhao Zhong had him down in the sixth. in his only knockout loss, longtime rival Wonjongkam blasted him with a hook for a Flyweight championship record knockout (:34 seconds). that loss has proven somewhat a fluke. Naito is a tough man. His style makes it hard to catch him because it requires patience and concentration. one cant get caught looking at some of the strange things he does but must instead just continue to fire in the wide openings the champion is sure to present.
Even those who have some patience struggled. After the knockout loss, he lost a decision to Wonjongkam before finally winning a decision (ending Wonjongkams record seventeen-consecutive defense title reign) and then holding him off for a draw in defense of the crown. Naito can make a fight messy, and that can make a scoring mess as well. Kameda doesnt necessarily want a scoring mess.
The Pick
Despite all the problems he can pose, Naito isnt getting any younger and the speed difference here could be critical. Hell likely be rough in the early going but as Kameda masters the range of the bout the punishment will mount. Kameda may not be able to stop Naito with a single shot, but the opposite wont happen either. Its going to be a distance contest and the better, younger, more traditionally sound fighter will solve the riddle. look for Kameda to battle through some tough rounds before taking over near the midway point and cruising to a decision or late stoppage over Naito.
And then let the era of Kameda in Japan truly begin.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. he can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
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