Tomoki Kameda to face IBF Champion Angelo Leo on May 24th in Osaka!
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After several months of rumour, speculation, and dates being lined up for the anticipated IBF Featherweight title bout between current champion Angelo Leo (25-1, 12) and mandatory challenger Tomoki Kameda (42-4, 23) [亀田 和毅], we finally had confirmation of all the details for the contest today at a press conference at the Hotel Monterey Grasmere in Osaka.
The announcement today confirmed the rumours from January. The bout will take place on May 24th at the INTEX Osaka, also known as the International Exhibition Center, on "3150 x LUSHBOMU Vol.6" and will be streamed live on ABEMA in Japan, continuing the Kameda clan’s relationship with the Japanese streaming giant.
The bout will see Kameda, a former WBO Bantamweight and WBC “interim” Super Bantamweight champion look to add his name to the top of the intriguing Featherweight division, which also includes the fun to watch Nick Ball, the awkward Rafael Espinoza and the skilled Stephen Fulton. Whilst the bout will see Tomoki looking to add to his personal achievement, it’s also a huge one for the Kameda clan, who will be hoping to have an 8th world title between the three brothers, with Tomoki being the youngest of the three and both Koki and Daiki now being retired.
Tomoki was in attendance in person, whilst Leo attended via video call. On the call Leo spoke about Japan and his history of sparring with Tomoki, explaining "It's been my dream to fight in Japan. I've sparred with Tomoki. He's a strong fighter who has fought over 40 times, and I respect him. Like me, he's a family man who values his family. I'll prepare well and have a good fight in front of the Japanese fans." He then went on to adding that he thinks he’s the best at 126lbs, "I became the champion by defeating the champion who was said to be the strongest, so I think I'm the best,"
In response to a question about who Leo wants to face he explained "I'm concentrating on the fight with Tomoki, but I'll fight anyone who fights in the 126lb (featherweight) class, including champions from other organizations," before adding "If possible, I'd like to fight Inoue as well."
Tomoki, who took the microphone after Leo, spoke about the sparring explaining "It was at the super bantamweight level, so it doesn't matter," and added "There is no advantage or disadvantage for either of us." He then went on the explain "My (sparring) partner will be here next week, so we will start practical training. However, what I do will not change. The opponent will just change," and made it clear he needed a win here, stating "There is no future unless I beat Leo."
Notable promoter Koki Kameda, Tomoki’s brother, revealed that putting the fight on in Japan was expensive, stating "the fight money alone exceeded a billion yen. It was expensive," before adding "The lighter weight classes are booming in Japan, but the market changes from the featherweight class onwards. Boxing is evolving every year, but this is an important match that will show whether the Kameda family's boxing will work at the featherweight class. As brothers, we have feelings for him. I want him to win," before explaining "I want to bring the Kameda family's final chapter to Japanese fans."
The announcement today confirmed the rumours from January. The bout will take place on May 24th at the INTEX Osaka, also known as the International Exhibition Center, on "3150 x LUSHBOMU Vol.6" and will be streamed live on ABEMA in Japan, continuing the Kameda clan’s relationship with the Japanese streaming giant.
The bout will see Kameda, a former WBO Bantamweight and WBC “interim” Super Bantamweight champion look to add his name to the top of the intriguing Featherweight division, which also includes the fun to watch Nick Ball, the awkward Rafael Espinoza and the skilled Stephen Fulton. Whilst the bout will see Tomoki looking to add to his personal achievement, it’s also a huge one for the Kameda clan, who will be hoping to have an 8th world title between the three brothers, with Tomoki being the youngest of the three and both Koki and Daiki now being retired.
Tomoki was in attendance in person, whilst Leo attended via video call. On the call Leo spoke about Japan and his history of sparring with Tomoki, explaining "It's been my dream to fight in Japan. I've sparred with Tomoki. He's a strong fighter who has fought over 40 times, and I respect him. Like me, he's a family man who values his family. I'll prepare well and have a good fight in front of the Japanese fans." He then went on to adding that he thinks he’s the best at 126lbs, "I became the champion by defeating the champion who was said to be the strongest, so I think I'm the best,"
In response to a question about who Leo wants to face he explained "I'm concentrating on the fight with Tomoki, but I'll fight anyone who fights in the 126lb (featherweight) class, including champions from other organizations," before adding "If possible, I'd like to fight Inoue as well."
Tomoki, who took the microphone after Leo, spoke about the sparring explaining "It was at the super bantamweight level, so it doesn't matter," and added "There is no advantage or disadvantage for either of us." He then went on the explain "My (sparring) partner will be here next week, so we will start practical training. However, what I do will not change. The opponent will just change," and made it clear he needed a win here, stating "There is no future unless I beat Leo."
Notable promoter Koki Kameda, Tomoki’s brother, revealed that putting the fight on in Japan was expensive, stating "the fight money alone exceeded a billion yen. It was expensive," before adding "The lighter weight classes are booming in Japan, but the market changes from the featherweight class onwards. Boxing is evolving every year, but this is an important match that will show whether the Kameda family's boxing will work at the featherweight class. As brothers, we have feelings for him. I want him to win," before explaining "I want to bring the Kameda family's final chapter to Japanese fans."