by Cliff Rold

And, now, we can truly pull the curtain on 2010.

While the year felt completed to many following the thrilling Jean Pascal-Bernard Hopkins battle one week ago, there was still one intriguing bit of business left to be concluded.  Without having seen the fight as yet, this much is known from reports: former Jr. Flyweight and lineal World Flyweight champion Koki Kameda (24-1, 15 KO) scored a 12th round knockdown en route to a unanimous decision over former WBA 115 lb. titlist Alexander Munoz (35-4, 27 KO).

What does it mean?

Regardless of how silly it was to have two fighters without serious Bantamweight credentials fighting for a vacant Bantamweight belt, Kameda’s WBA strap makes him an instant player.  And no matter what he had not done at 118, Munoz is a quality win three pounds up and generally. 

In other words, now two fights into a Bantamweight campaign, Japan’s biggest fistic draw is now a significant part of the best division going right now.  Time will tell if the WBA forces a showdown with their other titlist at 118, Anselmo Moreno (30-1, 10 KO) and Kameda should hope time is on his side there.     

Report Card Picks 2010: 40-17

Ratings Impact

Time will certainly be on his side in terms of entering the BoxingScene Bantamweight ratings.  For now, Kameda exits the Flyweight ratings and stays just outside the top ten at 118.  #9 Sasha Bakhtin is closing in on a year of inactivity and could soon exit, making room for Kameda.  Edrin Dapudong re-enters the top ten at Flyweight after the Kameda move.

Dapudong shares space with Kameda’s younger brother, WBA titlist Daiki (19-2, 11 KO).  Dakiki moves from #4 to #3 due to Koki’s exit but word on his latest title defense from some is that the scoring left much to be desired.  Having not seen the contest, Daiki can hold his spot for now on the merit of winning the decision.

Those results, and the latest from Jr. Bantamweight leader Hugo Cazares, are reflected in this week’s ratings update.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel, the Yahoo Pound for Pound voting panel, and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com