Kono vs. Kameda: BoxingScene.com Staff Predictions
Oct 16, 2015 • 2:36 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Kohei Kono and Koki Kameda meet in what marks the first time ever that two boxers from Japan face each other a world title in the United States.
It's the crazy world we live in, but only adds to the intrigue surrounding their super flyweight title fight Friday evening at UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois. The bout will air live in the latest installment of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on Spike TV, packaged with a light heavyweight clash between Andrzej Fonfara and Nathan Cleverly.
Kono (30-8-1, 13KOs) attempts the second defense of his second title tour. The 34-year old has been out of the ring since being held to a shocking 12-round draw by Norberto Jimenez last New Year's Eve, his lone "successful" title defense over two separate reigns.
His first title win also came on a New Year's Eve show in Japan, shocking top-rated Tepparith Kokietgym in a 4th round knockout of their Dec. '12 title clash. It was his third attempt at a belt, though his long-awaited rise to the top lasted just over four months before losing a decision to Liborio Solis in May '13.
The very same belt was vacated when Solis missed weight for a Dec. '13 unification bout with Daiki Kameda. Kono was in the right place at the right time, overcoming a competitive fight with faded former champ Denkaosan Kaovichit in an 8th round knockout win last March to earn his second crown.
Kameda (33-1, 18KOs) is the most established of his fighting brothers, and among the most successful in the history of boxing in Japan. He became the nation's first ever three-division champ, claiming title wins at junior flyweight, flyweight and bantamweight.
The latter reign was part of a historic run enjoyed by the Kameda family in 2013. With middle brother Daiki having also previously won a flyweight title, younger brother Tomoki put the family in the Guiness Book of World Records with a 12-round win over Paulus Ambunda in Aug. '13 to earn a bantamweight belt.
The feat marked the first time ever that three brothers won title belts at separate points in their respective pro careers. Another historic moment came a month later, one that will likely never be matched - Daiki claimed a super flyweight belt, with all three brothers enjoying simultaneous title reigns.
It was the last great moment in the son collectively as a family. Daiki gave up his title and took all of 2015 off. Koki dropped down in weight, but a family ban in Japan saw him sit out for 10 months before resurfacing on a non-televised undercard in this very arena last October.
Tomoki saw his "0" go this year, losing his title and a subsequent rematch to Jamie McDonnell in their pair of fights earlier this year.
Now it's up to the eldest Kameda to restore family honor. A win over Kono will make him Japan's first-ever four-division title claimant.
Will history be made in Chicago tonight? Or will Kono prove to serve more of a purpose than to keep the title warm for the next more qualified candidate?
Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes the super flyweight action will go down.
BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS:
KOHEI KONO vs. KOKI KAMEDA
Ryan Burton (Kameda UD):
The most accomplished of the Kameda brothers becomes a four-division champion with 9-3 type dominant victory.
Jake Donovan (Kameda Dec.):
It hasn't exactly been a great year for the Kameda family. In fact, things have gone south for the trio of boxing brothers ever since their historic run in 2013. Still, I see Koki doing his part to stop the bleeding, outboxing Kono to once again put a Kameda back in the record books.
Stephen "Breadman" Edwards (Kameda UD):
Koki wins the fight and his fourth world title.
Michael Gibbons (Kameda UD):
I like Kameda by decision here.
Cliff Rold (Kameda UD):
Kono is an unlikely titlist whose perseverance can be admired. Kameda is a talented fighter who hasn't quite lived up to early attention overseas. This should get Kameda back on track though it may be dull in spots.
Victor Salazar (Kameda Dec.):
Kameda wins by decision.
Reynaldo Sanchez (Kameda UD):
Kameda's hand speed will be the key in this fight.
Alexey Sukachev (Kameda UD):
Surprised this fight is taking its place in the States. Kono isn't a champion at all - he picked up a vacant belt against washed-up Thai veteran and barely held it via a draw against a really bad opponent. His 2011 loss to 2-0 compatriot is all what I need to know. Kameda isn't a world-beater but he will dominate Kono to a wide decision.
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
