TOMOKI Kameda sets up a date with history tonight as he attempts to snag the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title from Paulus Ambunda at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
The promising 22-year-old Japanese prospect takes the second step of the fighting Kameda brothers? goal of becoming the only three brothers in boxing history to hold world titles at the same time.
The eldest Kameda, Koki, has already taken the lead after successfully defending his World Boxing Association bantamweight strap against Filipino John Mark Apolinario last week in Japan. Daiki, the second brother, will complete the feat if he wins the vacant International Boxing federation super flyweight belt over Mexican former world champion Rodrigo Guerrero on Sept. 3 in Japan, assuming Tomoki beats Ambunda.
After sizing up Ambunda for the last time before facing each other on top of the ring tonight, the youngest Kameda brother blurted out his prediction for the fight.
?It?s going to finish by knockout,? said Tomoki. ?Before the eighth round.?
Both world-class boxers made weight. Ambunda tipped the scales at 117 pounds, while Tomoki weighed-in half a pound heavier at 117 ?.
Ambunda is also as confident and won?t let a young up-and-comer derail his dream of becoming a pound-for-pound fighter like his role models ? Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
?We are ready. We are going to bring back the title to Africa. I will knock him out at any round. If he makes a mistake, he?s going to pay for it,? said Ambunda.
He is confident of winning not because he is taking the younger Tomoki light but because he believes every single fight is significant to be successful in the sport.
?Every fight is important to me. I take it very seriously and train hard for it,? said Ambunda.
Ambunda is unbeaten with a 20-0 slate and 10 knockouts, while Tomoki also has an immaculate record of 27-0 with 18 knockouts.
Marlon Tapales (22-2, 9 KOs) takes on Fredirex Rodriguez (11-2-1, 8 KOs) for the vacant WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt in the main supporting bout.
In the undercard, Gerpaul Valero (14-14-3, 10 KOs) faces off with former world champion Sonny Boy Jaro (34-12-5, 24 KOs); Ardie Boyose (6-0-1, 3 KOs) trades leathers with JR Mendoza (8-15, 3 KOs); Jack Tepora (6-0, 4 KOs) is up against Randy Gomez (5-11, 1 KO); Niel John Tabanao (3-0, 2 KOs) stakes his unbeaten slate against Charlie Pucdol (4-1, 3 KOs); Jonathan Francisco (3-3, 1 KO) slugs it out with Glenn Canteveros (1-0-1); Joey Canoy (2-0, 1 KO) is fighting Marwin Cristota (2-8-1, 1 KO); Andrew Palas (1-1) locks horns with Robert Awitin (4-13-2, 4 KOs); and Joyjoy Formentera (0-1) takes on Hilbert Bosquit.
The show starts at 5 p.m. with the main event at 7 p.m., which will be beamed live in Japan.
