Tomoki Kameda Extends Family Boxing History

By Derek Bonnett: Boxing has long been a family affair with fathers, sons, uncles, and brothers lacing up the gloves to follow in the footsteps of some blood relation or kin in the hope of matching or surpassing the heights attained by their genetic lineage. From the Moyer clan to the Marquez brothers to the Spinks family to the Brothers Klitschko, when it comes to professional fisticuffs blood is thicker than water. The family that sweats, bleeds, and spits together...well, you get my point.

This summer a buzz, albeit a quiet one, began once all three brothers of the Kameda family were scheduled to compete in separate bouts within a forty-three day period. Boxing history was on the line in a couple of different fashions.

The eldest brother, Koki, a three-division champion (108, 112, 118)was set to defend his WBA bantamweight strap against John Mark Apolinario. As expected, Koki Kameda , 26, successfully defended his title for the seventh time and raised his record to 31-1 (17).

Next up was youngest brother, Tomoki, who at 22 had not yet fought for a world title. Tomoki met Paulus Ambunda of Namibia this morning, August 1, in the Philippines. In raising his record to 28-0, Tomoki claimed the WBO bantamweight title with unanimous scores thus making the Kameda brothers the first trio of siblings to hold world boxing championships throughout their careers.

Now, things could get a whole lot sweeter for the Kameda clan on September 3. That’s when middle brother Daiki Kameda, the former WBA flyweight champion, will challenge for the IBF super flyweight title against the formidable former champion Rodrigo Guerrero. Should Daiki Kameda defeat Guerrero, not only will be become a two-division champion, but he will also secure the milestone of all three Kameda brothers holding world championships simultaneously.

The chance to reign simultaneously with his brother Wladimir motivated a comeback from Vitali Klitschko at heavyweight, perhaps the same desire can will the Kameda brothers to continue to raise their games and secure their own special niche in family boxing history.

For further boxing discussion, contact Derek DBO Bonnett on Facebook or at dbo@boxinghideout.com

August 1, 2013