Kameda sets history by nailing WBO title

CEBU CITY—Tomoki Kameda of Japan wrested the WBO bantamweight title from Paulus Ambunda of Namibia Thursday night and made boxing history at Waterfront Hotel and Casino here.

Exploiting his reach advantage and showing his versatility, the 22-year-old Tomoki dethroned Ambunda by unanimous decision, sending the Japanese throng into a frenzied celebration.

Tomoki, together with older siblings Koki and Daiki, became the first three bothers to become world boxing champions in recent memory.

The 26-year-old Koki is the WBA bantamweight champion while Daiki, 24, formerly holds the WBA flyweight crown.

So popular are the Kameda brothers back home that Tokyo Broadcasting System beamed the lopsided 12-rounder live. Hundreds of flag- and banner-wavingJapanese cornered all the VIP seats at the hotel’s Pacific ballroom.

With Kameda repeatedly landing jabs and combinations from the start, the outcome was never in doubt. The three judges eventually rewarded the 5-foot-8 ponytailed Kameda with scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 117-111.

Though both fighters were never in danger of getting knocked out, Kameda was in control as he fended off Ambunda’s lunges with body blows and hooks.

Virtually unmarked, Tomoki, his brothers, father Shiro, and their fans and supporters later celebrated at Waterfront’s Caspian room.

Kameda, now 28-0 with 18 knockouts, later said that Ambunda—who tasted his first loss in 21 fights—was a tough foe who stood his ground despite absorbing some solid shots.

Daiki will be gunning for the IBF super flyweight crown in September as the Kamedas try to become the first three brothers to hold world titles simultaneously.

Shiro, a former amateur boxer who trained his sons at their Osaka home, said he was unable to pursue a boxing career because he had to work. He said he’s happy that his sons fulfilled his dream of becoming a world champion.

In the chief support, WBO Asia Pacific champion Marlon Tapales, stalwart of chief promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud’s boxing stable, bested Fredirex Rodriguez by unanimous decision.

Salud is honing Tapales (23-2, 9 KOs) to become a world champion in the next few years.

Gerpaul Valero produced the nine-bout card’s shocker when he bested former WBC flyweight titlist Sonny Boy Jaro by split decision.