is a Japanese former

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...

who competed from 2003 to 2015. He is a three-weight world champion, having held the WBA

light-flyweight Light flyweight, also known as junior flyweight or super strawweight, is a Weight class (boxing), weight class in boxing. Professional boxing The weight limit at light flyweight in professional boxing is 108 pounds (49 kilograms). When New York (s ...

title from 2006 to 2007, the WBC and lineal

flyweight Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb). Professional boxing The flyweight division was the last of bo ...

titles from 2009 to 2010, and the WBA (Regular)

bantamweight Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is . The name for the class is derived from Ba ...

title twice between 2010 and 2013. His younger brothers, Daiki and Tomoki, are also professional boxers.

Amateur career

Back in 2000 when Kameda was only 14 years old, Kameda managed to get some national attention by taking on former two time division world champion,

Hiroki Ioka is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1986 to 1999. He has held world championships in two weight class (boxing), weight classes, having held the World Boxing Council, WBC mini-flyweight title from 1987 to 1988, and the World ...

, in a 2 round exhibition match. Ioka was the inaugural WBC minimumweight champion and was also the former WBA light flyweight champion, a title which Kameda himself would controversially win in August 2006. Kameda at first was believed to have got a first round knockdown on the former champion by landing a left straight and a right hook, but the referee ruled it as a slip. Kameda throughout the exhibition bout, would try to go for a knockout. However, the fight went the distance and this would jump start Kameda by going all out on the former champion.

Professional career

On August 2, 2006, in his first attempt for the world title, Kameda squared off with Juan Jose Landaeta of

Venezuela Venezuela (; ), officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( es, link=no, República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many islands and islets in th ...

Yokohama is the second-largest city in Japan by population and the most populous municipality of Japan. It is the capital city and the most populous city in Kanagawa Prefecture, with a 2020 population of 3.8 million. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of To ...

, Japan, for the

World Boxing Association The World Boxing Association (WBA), formerly known as the National Boxing Association (NBA), is the oldest and one of four major organizations which sanction professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Council (WBC), International Boxi ...

light flyweight title. The fight was rather controversial as Kameda won the fight in a split decision despite getting knocked down in the first round and being dominated in the final two rounds. Further fueling controversy was the fact that the Korean judge who scored the fight 114-113 in Kameda's favor gave the final round to Kameda 10-9, although the perception by most observers was that the clearly exhausted Japanese boxer did nothing but tie up his opponent and try to avoid being knocked out in that round. If the Korean judge had scored the final round in favor of Landaeta, the Venezuelan would have won the bout. The match reinforced the existence of a home field advantage and the bias a foreign fighter must face when fighting on Japanese soil. There were mixed reactions from the Japanese public after the fight. Some 50,000 calls complaining against the decision were made to TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System, the station that broadcast the fight) to complain about the decision. While some hailed the 19-year-old's aggressiveness and impressive technique, others believed Landaeta was obviously the better fighter and exposed Kameda's inexperience and questionable stamina. Despite the controversial nature of the decision, it was a close, bitterly contested bout. Scoring some of the very close earlier rounds for Kameda would give the young fighter the necessary buffer on the scorecards to required to win, despite Landaeta's late charge. Kameda's father and trainer's backlash against the critics went as far as death threats.

Rematch and defending the title

On December 20, 2006, in a highly anticipated rematch, Kameda decisively defeated Juan Jose Landaeta at Ariake Colosseum in

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

. Kameda employed a rather different boxing style from the one he used back in the title match on August. Kameda outboxed Landaeta for most of the match using his quickness and accuracy, and won by unanimous decision. Kameda vacated his

Light Flyweight Light flyweight, also known as junior flyweight or super strawweight, is a weight class in boxing. Professional boxing The weight limit at light flyweight in professional boxing is 108 pounds (49 kilograms). When New York legalized boxing in 1920 ...

Championship to move up to the

Flyweight Flyweight is a weight class in combat sports. Boxing Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing above 49 kg (108 lb) and up to 51 kg (112 lb). Professional boxing The flyweight division was the last of bo ...

division on January 22, 2007.

Winning the World flyweight title

Koki Kameda beat

Daisuke Naito is a former professional boxer from Japan. He is the former WBC and lineal flyweight champion, and former Japanese and OPBF flyweight champion. Professional career Naito made his professional debut in October, 1996. He compiled an undefeat ...

on November 29, 2009 for the WBC and lineal flyweight championships.

Defending against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam

On March 27, 2010, Koki Kameda fought Wonjongkam to unify the WBC Flyweight championship and interim WBC Flyweight championship. The winner would also claim the vacant The Ring's Flyweight championship. Wonjongkam defeated Kameda by a 12 round majority decision to become the WBC, ''The Ring'' and Lineal Flyweight champion.

WBA Bantamweight title

On December 26, 2010 Kameda went up to the Bantamweight weight class and fought Alexander Munoz of Venezuela for the vacant WBA Bantamweight Regular Title. Kameda defeated Munoz by unanimous decision to win the title. In May 2012, Kameda status was changed to "Champion in Recess", as he claimed an injury that prevented him from fighting mandatory contender and Interim Champion Hugo Ruiz. Kameda was restored to Champion in November 2012, but vacated his title in December 2013, following a call for a unification match with WBA Super Champion

Anselmo Moreno Anselmo Moreno (born 28 June 1985) is a Panamanian professional boxer. He held the WBA bantamweight title from 2008 to 2014 (promoted to super champion status in 2011), making him the longest reigning bantamweight world champion of all time, ...

, in order to move down to the super flyweight division.

Professional boxing record

{, class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" , - ! !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes , - , 35 , Loss , 33–2 , style="text-align:left;", Kohei Kono , UD , 12 , Oct 16, 2015 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 34 , Win , 33–1 , style="text-align:left;", Omar Salado , KO , 4 (10), , Nov 1, 2014 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 33 , Win , 32–1 , style="text-align:left;", Jung-Oh Son , SD , 12 , Nov 19, 2013 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 32 , Win , 31–1 , style="text-align:left;", John Mark Apolinario , UD , 12 , Jul 23, 2013 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 31 , Win , 30–1 , style="text-align:left;", Panomroonglek Kratingdaenggym , SD , 12 , Apr 7, 2013 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 30 , Win , 29–1 , style="text-align:left;", Hugo Ruiz , SD , 12 , Dec 4, 2012 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 29 , Win , 28–1 , style="text-align:left;", Noldi Manakane , UD , 12 , Apr 4, 2012 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 28 , Win , 27–1 , style="text-align:left;", Mario Macias , TKO , 4 (12), , Dec 7, 2011 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 27 , Win , 26–1 , style="text-align:left;",

David De La Mora David De La Mora Zambrano (born 3 June 1989) is a Mexican professional boxer who twice challenged for the WBA bantamweight title in 2011 and 2012. Early life After qualifying as a dental technician, De La Mora is currently majoring in media st ...

, UD , 12 , Aug 31, 2011 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 26 , Win , 25–1 , style="text-align:left;", Daniel Diaz , RTD , 11 (12), , May 7, 2011 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 25 , Win , 24–1 , style="text-align:left;",

Alexander Muñoz Alexander Muñoz (born February 8, 1979) is a Venezuelan professional boxer who has held the WBA super flyweight title twice; from 2002 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2008. He also challenged for the WBA bantamweight title in 2010. Muñoz's strong p ...

, UD , 12 , Dec 26, 2010 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 24 , Win , 23–1 , style="text-align:left;", Cecilio Santos , KO , 4 (10), , Jul 25, 2010 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 23 , Loss , 22–1 , style="text-align:left;",

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam Pongsaklek Wonjongkam ( th, พงษ์ศักดิ์เล็ก วันจงคำ; born: 11 August 1977) is a former Thai professional boxer and current boxing trainer. He is a two-time former lineal flyweight champion. During his fi ...

, , 12 , Mar 27, 2010 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 22 , Win , 22–0 , style="text-align:left;",

, UD , 12 , Nov 29, 2009 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 21 , Win , 21–0 , style="text-align:left;", Humberto Pool , KO , 5 (10), , Sep 5, 2009 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 20 , Win , 20–0 , style="text-align:left;", Dolores Osorio , KO , 2 (10), , Mar 4, 2009 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 19 , Win , 19–0 , style="text-align:left;", Salvador Montes , UD , 12 , Aug 30, 2008 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 18 , Win , 18–0 , style="text-align:left;", Marino Montiel , TKO , 2 (10), , Jul 12, 2008 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 17 , Win , 17–0 , style="text-align:left;", Rexon Flores , UD , 10 , Mar 22, 2008 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 16 , Win , 16–0 , style="text-align:left;", Cesar Lopez , UD , 10 , Jul 28, 2007 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 15 , Win , 15–0 , style="text-align:left;", Irfan Ogah , TKO , 8 (10), , May 23, 2007 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 14 , Win , 14–0 , style="text-align:left;", Everardo Morales , UD , 10 , Mar 24, 2007 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 13 , Win , 13–0 , style="text-align:left;", Juan Jose Landaeta , UD , 12 , Dec 20, 2006 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 12 , Win , 12–0 , style="text-align:left;", Juan Jose Landaeta , , 12 , Aug 2, 2006 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 11 , Win , 11–0 , style="text-align:left;", Carlos Fajardo , TKO , 2 (10), , May 5, 2006 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 10 , Win , 10–0 , style="text-align:left;", Carlos Bouchan , KO , 6 (10), , Mar 8, 2006 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 9 , Win , 9–0 , style="text-align:left;", Noel Arambulet , , 7 (10), , Nov 26, 2005 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 8 , Win , 8–0 , style="text-align:left;", Wanmeechok Singwancha , , 3 (12), , Aug 21, 2005 , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", , - , 7 , Win , 7–0 , style="text-align:left;",

Saman Sorjaturong Saman Sorjaturong (born Saman Sriprated on 2 August 1968 in Amphoe Khlong Lan, Kamphaeng Phet province) is a Thai former world boxing champion. Early life He was born in a peasant family in Kamphaeng Phet province, upper central Thailand, with ...

, KO , 1 (10), , Jun 20, 2005 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 6 , Win , 6–0 , style="text-align:left;", Yodkeng Singwangcha , KO , 1 (10), , Feb 21, 2005 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 5 , Win , 5–0 , style="text-align:left;", Nopadetchlek Chuwatana , KO , 2 (10), , Dec 13, 2004 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 4 , Win , 4–0 , style="text-align:left;", Daochai KT Gym , , 10 , Sep 27, 2004 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 3 , Win , 3–0 , style="text-align:left;", Saming Twingym , KO , 1 (8), , May 22, 2004 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 2 , Win , 2–0 , style="text-align:left;", Prakan Twingym , KO , 1 (6), , Mar 13, 2004 , style="text-align:left;", , , - , 1 , Win , 1–0 , style="text-align:left;", Dennarong Sithsoba , , 1 (6), , Dec 21, 2003 , style="text-align:left;", ,

Criticism

Kameda is often criticized for his flamboyance, immaturity, and lack of respect both inside and outside the ring. He has never spoken courteously towards anyone in his numerous TV appearances, (considering that the Japanese language has tenses specifically used for courteous speech) and often taunts opponents with insulting presents and language. Criticism also revolves around his boxing skills and sportsmanship. The fact that Kameda's first six opponents had a combined record of 0-18 brought much criticism during the early part of his professional career. Many Japanese boxers, including former WBC Super flyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama and WBC Minimumweight title

Eagle Kyowa Den Junlaphan ( th, อีเกิ้ล อากากูร่า; born December 4, 1978), better known as Eagle Kyowa, is a Thai former professional boxer who competed from 2000 to 2007. He held the WBC strawweight title twice between 2004 ...

, have stated that they could easily defeat Kameda if given a chance, and that his boasting and popularity are greatly out of proportion with his actual skills in the ring. There was an outcry from the Japanese public about his first bout against Landaeta being

fixed Fixed may refer to: * ''Fixed'' (EP), EP by Nine Inch Nails * ''Fixed'', an upcoming 2D adult animated film directed by Genndy Tartakovsky * Fixed (typeface), a collection of monospace bitmap fonts that is distributed with the X Window System * ...

. Former world champions

Guts Ishimatsu , better known as is a Japanese actor, comedian, tarento and former professional boxer who competed in the Lightweight division from 1966 to 1978. He is a one-time former WBC Lightweight Champion and an OPBF Lightweight Champion. As a boxer ...

and

Yasuei Yakushiji is a former professional boxer who fought in the bantamweight division. He successfully defended the WBC bantamweight title four times during his career. Biography Yakushiji began boxing under influence of his father, who was an amateur boxe ...

have commented that they believe Kameda lost the fight. He was also involved in the controversy surrounding his brother Daiki during his fight with

. Koki escaped with a warning about advising Daiki to elbow Naito in the eye. His brother was suspended from fighting for one year and his father was suspended indefinitely for the incident. It was originally rumored and intended that Kameda would fight then WBC Light Flyweight title holder,

Brian Viloria Brian Viloria (born November 24, 1980) is a retired American professional boxer of Filipino descent. He is a former unified WBA and WBO flyweight champion, as well as a former WBC and IBF light flyweight champion. His nickname of "The Hawaii ...

, in a WBA/WBC unification title fight. However, Kameda's controversial decision over Landaeta in the first match and Viloria losing to Omar Nino made the match difficult to produce further talks. He is dubbed as in Japanese. Naniwa is a former designation of Osaka. The nickname denotes "The Fighting Fist of Osaka", though it is sometimes derided by his

anti-fan An anti-fan, hater, or anti is someone who enjoys writing, discussing or in some cases making derivative works about a piece of media, but solely for the purpose of railing against or parodying it. Someone who opposes a ship (a romantic pairing be ...

s as "浪速の逃犬" (pronounced the same as the original one), which means the run-away dog of Osaka.

References

External links

*
Kōki Kameda - CBZ Profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kameda, Koki 1986 births Living people Sportspeople from Osaka World Boxing Association champions World Boxing Council champions World bantamweight boxing champions World flyweight boxing champions World light-flyweight boxing champions World boxing champions Bantamweight boxers Flyweight boxers Light-flyweight boxers Southpaw boxers Japanese male boxers