Koki Kameda-Pongsaklek Wonjongkam coming this spring

Ronnie Nathanielsz reports that a real has been reached for WBC flyweight titlist Koki Kameda to make his first defense of the title against Thai legend Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in March or April. The fight will be in Japan, a concession from Pong's camp as they had initially insisted a fight be staged in Thailand. Kameda won the belt from Wonjongkam's rival Daisuke Naito in November in one of the biggest fights in Japanese boxing history.

Kameda (22-0, 14 KO) seemed likely to fight Wonjongkam first from the moment he won the belt. Wonjongkam (74-3-1, 39 KO) has fought Naito four times in the past. The two drew in 2008, Naito won in 2007, Pong won on a technical decision in 2005, and Naito was knocked out in 34 seconds in their first bout, way back in 2002.

Wonjongkam won the WBC's interim title (no, they didn't need an interim title) in April 2009, beating Julio Cesar Miranda. He defended that belt once against Takahisa Masuda, then took an easy fight with Rodel Tejares (7-7-1 coming in) in December.

Like most of the Thai fighters, Wonjongkam has an absurdly loaded W-L record that has come at the expense of a lot of guys who can't fight. Between Naito and Miranda, he fought three straight guys making pro debuts. Only one of them has fought since, losing twice to another Thai prospect.

But like the select few, Wonjongkam has proven himself on the world stage, too. At 32, he's getting up there in years for a fighter of his size, but he had two good performances last year that say he shouldn't be considered washed up.

I favor Kameda simply because I think Kameda is a truly special fighter, a guy that could make it anywhere. Naito is no pushover and he clearly beat Daisuke. Whatever doubts there were about his actual ability should have gone out the window with that fight. I think he's the world's best flyweight, and I think he'll be able to survive the test against another good veteran.

The Kameda family has another big fight coming up on February 7, when Daiki Kameda tries for a second time to beat another Thai star, WBA flyweight titlist Denkaosan Kaovichit. Kaovichit won the first fight via majority decision in October 2009.