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07:08Last update on: 13 Aug 2013
The Namibian
Tue 13 Aug 2013


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Rock buoyant in Cebu
Sheefeni Nikodemus
WORLD Boxing Organisation (WBO) bantamweight champion Paulus “The Rock” Ambunda was in high spirits as he came face to face with his challenger in the ‘Battle of the Undefeated’ Tomoki Kameda of Japan in Cebu City yesterday.
The Namibian, who described himself as the ‘Boxing Lion of Africa’, reportedly had the media, which consisted of 50 international outlets, captivated with his witty pre-fight banter.
In one of the more animated pre-fight press conferences seen in the Philippines, the champion (20-0, 10 KO’s) repeated his vow to beat down the challenger - and his siblings.
Tomoki Kameda (27-0, 18 KO’s) is the younger brother of WBA bantamweight champ Koki Kameda and former WBA flyweight champ Daiki Kameda who is challenging for the IBF superflyweight title in September against a Mexican boxer.
The Kamedas are hoping to make history by becoming the first three brothers to become world champions at the same time.
“Young boy (Kameda), I’m here now. I will teach you a lesson that you will never forget and I will give you an early retirement,” Ambunda, who won the WBO title by unanimous decision over Thailand’s Pong Luang Sor Singyu in March, is quoted as saying on inquirer.net.
“I want to fight the best to become the best. I even want to fight Filipino Nonito Donaire, if I am given the chance,” Ambunda, who also described his challenger as “just a stepping stone”, said. The champion’s trainer, Nestor Tobias, too was upbeat about the fight on Thursday morning.
“When this fight is done, the ring announcer will say, ‘Ladies and gentleman, and still the WBO bantamweight champion of the world, Paulus “The Rock” Ambuuuuunda!,” Tobias added.
This drew a reaction from Koki Kameda, who said that it is “impossible” for Ambunda to beat his brother.
“100 percent, Tomoki will beat him,” Koki Kameda.
“You won’t see him,” added a trainer from Kameda’s camp, who believes his boxer will be too fast for Ambunda.
Tomoki Kameda labelled Ambunda’s assertion “a waste of time” and was only concerned with becoming Japan’s first-ever WBO champion.
WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel was in attendance together with WBO supervisor Luis Perez and WBO ring officials - referee Raul Caiz Sr (USA), judges Carlos Colon (Puerto Rico), Waleska Roldan (USA) and Thomas Miller (USA).
“Both boxers are in good shape and in my opinion the most intelligent boxer on the night will win this fight,” Valcarcel said.
Filipino boxing icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao’s friend and promoter Rex ‘Wakee’ Salad, who was also in attendance, feels Kameda is the better boxer and will emerge victorious.
Ambunda is seen the more aggressive and offensive of the two, while Kameda, who has a distinct height advantage, is known for being a methodical power puncher.
The adversaries were expected to have the official weigh-in this morning at the Waterfront Hotel.
Featured on the undercard is Marlon Tapales, who will face Fredirex Rodriguez for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title.
The fight will be televised live in Japan to over 150 million viewers and in addition around the world.
Tokyo Broadcasting holds the TV rights to the fight.
It is still unclear whether the fight will be televised live in Namibia as the NBC needs to pay N$450 000 to show the fight to boxing fans in the country. The official event starts at 11h00, while the main fight is expected to start around 13h00. - Compiled from inquirer.net; philboxing.com and namibiasport.com.na.
The Namibian, who described himself as the ‘Boxing Lion of Africa’, reportedly had the media, which consisted of 50 international outlets, captivated with his witty pre-fight banter.
In one of the more animated pre-fight press conferences seen in the Philippines, the champion (20-0, 10 KO’s) repeated his vow to beat down the challenger - and his siblings.
Tomoki Kameda (27-0, 18 KO’s) is the younger brother of WBA bantamweight champ Koki Kameda and former WBA flyweight champ Daiki Kameda who is challenging for the IBF superflyweight title in September against a Mexican boxer.
The Kamedas are hoping to make history by becoming the first three brothers to become world champions at the same time.
“Young boy (Kameda), I’m here now. I will teach you a lesson that you will never forget and I will give you an early retirement,” Ambunda, who won the WBO title by unanimous decision over Thailand’s Pong Luang Sor Singyu in March, is quoted as saying on inquirer.net.
“I want to fight the best to become the best. I even want to fight Filipino Nonito Donaire, if I am given the chance,” Ambunda, who also described his challenger as “just a stepping stone”, said. The champion’s trainer, Nestor Tobias, too was upbeat about the fight on Thursday morning.
“When this fight is done, the ring announcer will say, ‘Ladies and gentleman, and still the WBO bantamweight champion of the world, Paulus “The Rock” Ambuuuuunda!,” Tobias added.
This drew a reaction from Koki Kameda, who said that it is “impossible” for Ambunda to beat his brother.
“100 percent, Tomoki will beat him,” Koki Kameda.
“You won’t see him,” added a trainer from Kameda’s camp, who believes his boxer will be too fast for Ambunda.
Tomoki Kameda labelled Ambunda’s assertion “a waste of time” and was only concerned with becoming Japan’s first-ever WBO champion.
WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel was in attendance together with WBO supervisor Luis Perez and WBO ring officials - referee Raul Caiz Sr (USA), judges Carlos Colon (Puerto Rico), Waleska Roldan (USA) and Thomas Miller (USA).
“Both boxers are in good shape and in my opinion the most intelligent boxer on the night will win this fight,” Valcarcel said.
Filipino boxing icon Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao’s friend and promoter Rex ‘Wakee’ Salad, who was also in attendance, feels Kameda is the better boxer and will emerge victorious.
Ambunda is seen the more aggressive and offensive of the two, while Kameda, who has a distinct height advantage, is known for being a methodical power puncher.
The adversaries were expected to have the official weigh-in this morning at the Waterfront Hotel.
Featured on the undercard is Marlon Tapales, who will face Fredirex Rodriguez for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title.
The fight will be televised live in Japan to over 150 million viewers and in addition around the world.
Tokyo Broadcasting holds the TV rights to the fight.
It is still unclear whether the fight will be televised live in Namibia as the NBC needs to pay N$450 000 to show the fight to boxing fans in the country. The official event starts at 11h00, while the main fight is expected to start around 13h00. - Compiled from inquirer.net; philboxing.com and namibiasport.com.na.
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