By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Japan’s popular WBC flyweight champion Koki Kameda (22-0, 14 KO’s)  will defend his title against long-reigning former champion and current interim champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (74-3-1, 39 KO’s) of Thailand in Japan.

Pongsaklek’s Thai promoters Wirat and Piyarat Wachiratanawong have reportedly agreed with Kameda’s promoter to have the title fight staged in Japan after initially insisting that the fight be held in Thailand.

Thai media reported that the title fight will be held in late March or early April.

The Thai promoters also agreed to allow WBC straw weight champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai, another of their top boxers, to defend his title against Yasutaka Kuroki on the same card.

Kuroki has a scheduled fight against fellow Japanese Takumi Suda on February 1 and will have to win to be assured of the title shot against Oleydong.

Reports from Japan indicated that the colorful 23 year old Kameda is confident of beating the ageing 32 year old Pongsaklek who made 19 successful title defenses after winning the title by a 1st round knockout of Filipino champin Malcolm Tunacao on March 2, 2001. Kameda is even planning his next title defense in the United States.

Meantime Koki Kameda’s younger brother 21 year old  Daiki Kameda (15-2, 11 KO’s)  is slated to face WBA flyweight champion, 33 year old  Denkaosan Kaovichit (48-1-1, 20 KO’s)  in a rematch set for February 7 in Kobe, Japan.

Daiki Kameda who trained for some ten days at the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque told BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that he was robbed of the decision in their first meeting in Osaka on October 6 last year but would make sure to win by knocking out Denkaosan in their rematch.

Thai champion Denkaosan said he regards the title defense as ”a great burden”  with his country’s reputation at stake and promises not to underestimate the Japanese challenger.

Thai media quoted Denkaosan as saying “I know that in this rematch his team would have prepared a lot of things for me inside and outside the ring but the only decisive thing is if I am on the canvas. If I am able to have a clean fight I should not miss this victory because even the Japanese boxing fans do not like Daiki Kameda very much.”

Denkaosan’s manager Niwat Laosuwannawat has been keeping a close watch on his training and reportedly took away his new card to prevent the fighter from getting distracted.

His trainers Sawasdee Worasing and Gao Tokyo the Thai champion has been sparring regularly with Chartchai Sitmorseng and Yodmongkol Nakornluang Promotion and has been going ten rounds.

Denkaosan is picking up his hand-speed and is reportedly ninety oercent ready according to another trainer Durong Apollo.