Kameda vs De La Mora Results: Koki Skirts Past Underdog, Shimizu Upsets Cazares

by Scott Christ on Aug 31, 2011 8:27 AM EDT in Boxing Results and Post-Fight Analysis

This morning in Tokyo, Koki Kameda just barely was successful in defending his WBA bantamweight title against upstart Mexican challenger Daniel de la Mora, while defending WBA super flyweight titlist Hugo Cazares was upset by Tomonobu Shimizu.

Kameda (26-1, 16 KO) won on scores of 114-113, 115-113, and 115-112, but Bad Left Hook's own Japanese boxing guru Sidney Boquiren reported live from the event that he felt that the young Daniel de la Mora (23-1, 16 KO) outworked Kameda and deserved a close nod. Kameda received poor marks from those I spoke to who watched the fight, including Sidney, who noted that Kameda too often threw a single punch at a time.

From Sidney's description, I think it's time to stop expecting potentially elite quality out of Kameda, if one still is, as I have been. He's a good fighter, but perhaps nothing more. If one of the Kameda brothers is going to break out as a real force, more than just a good fighter who can win titles, it might just be the youngest of the three, Tomoki.

In the co-feature, Shimizu (19-3-1, 9 KO) topped Cazares (35-7-2, 25 KO) on split decision scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 114-115. Sidney scored it close for Shimizu, and said that after the bout, Cazares complained of numerous headbutts from the challenger-turned-titleholder. This is a pretty strong upset, but Cazares has been playing with fire for a while now, so not a totally huge shocker.

I'm sure Sidney will have much more on this card soon, so check back this week for a more detailed recap of this show.

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Comments

First off, Kameda clearly won the way I saw it. De la Mora looked very good in some rounds, but when Kameda turned it on de la Mora couldn’t compete. De la Mora used his size and strength advantage to good effect but Kameda was outclassing the undefeated de la Mora.

Which brings me to my second point, Kameda is a world class fighter, he’s just not a world class (if by world class you mean clear contender for number 1) bantamweight. He is a world class Super Flyweight or Flyweight. He’s not big enough for bantamweight (not yet anyone), but I really don’t have much doubt that he would be #1 at either weight class.

I do agree that Tomoki has the most potential of any of the Kameda brothers but frankly it seems ridiculous to completely write off a 24-year-old with a record like Koki’s at the first sign of any problems.

by JCVD on Aug 31, 2011 8:40 AM EDT reply actions

*anyway

by JCVD on Aug 31, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

He is a world class Super Flyweight or Flyweight. He’s not big enough for bantamweight

He can’t make 112 and either can’t or chooses not to make 115, though.

frankly it seems ridiculous to completely write off a 24-year-old with a record like Koki’s at the first sign of any problems.

I’m not writing him off at all. He’s a good fighter. I just think that’s it. I was very high on Koki for a long time, and I still like him fine. I also like that he makes good fights. I have no issue with him, I’m just no longer looking for him to be a potentially elite fighter, and I was one of few who felt he had that potential anyway.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Aug 31, 2011 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions