Tweet
Enlarge PhotoJapan's Daiki Kameda (R) receives a warning from a referee during their WBC flyweight boxing... Japan's WBA flyweight champion Daiki Kameda has boldly predicted a brutal end to his first title defence against countryman Takefumi Sakata in September.The middle brother of Japan's trio of controversial "brat pack" boxing family told a news conference on Wednesday he would dominate the former champion in Tokyo on Sept. 25.
"I will defend the belt with my life," promised the 21-year-old Kameda, wearing a red shirt and sunglasses and sitting beside the suited Sakata.
"Sakata is a great boxer and it's no surprise he made four successful title defences (between 2007-08). But whether I knock him out or beat him on points it won't be a close fight."
The 30-year-old challenger refused to be drawn into a war of words.
"Daiki is getting stronger and stronger," said Sakata, who owns a record of 36 wins, five defeats and two draws. "I'll sweat every last drop to take the title back."
The flamboyant Kameda celebrated his title victory over Thailand's Denkaosan Kaovichit in February by hoisting a piano into the ring and serenading fans with a song he had penned.
Kameda, who was banned for a year for violent behaviour during a failed bid for the WBC crown in 2007, boasts a record of 17 wins, eleven by knockout, against two losses.
Elder brother Koki Kameda failed to successfully defend the WBC flyweight title in March when he was battered by hard-hitting Thai Pongsaklek Wongjongkam.
(Reporting by Alastair Himmer; Editing by John O'Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
(For more news on Reuters India, click http://in.reuters.com)
Powered by WizardRSS | Full Text RSS Feeds
