Kameda relinquishes WBA title; moving up to 112 pounds

By Scott Shaffer

19/01/2007

Kameda relinquishes WBA title; moving up to 112 pounds

Japanese idol Koki Kameda, who along with Manny Pacquiao may be one of the two most popular boxers in the world, is going to relinquish his WBA 108-pound championship to move up to the 112-pound division. Kameda has a fight slated for March 23, 2007 in Tokyo against a yet-to-be-named opponent. According to Japan Today, Kameda said, "there is nothing left for me to do in the light flyweight class, and I can do my best in the flyweight category." Unfortunately, the Japanese boxing world puts a very low premium on title unfication and really doesnt recognize the IBF and WBO, so Kameda will not face the best at 108 pounds after winning a vacant title and defending it once, both times against Juan Landaeta. Still, the flyweight division is packed with good champions such as Pongsaklek Wongjongkam and Vic Darchinyan who as of now would be favored against the still up-and-coming 20-year old Kameda.Â