KOKI KAMEDA vs PONGSAKLEK

After defeating veteran Daisuke Naito to win the WBC flyweight belt in his last fight, unbeaten Koki Kameda faces probably the toughest challenge of his career in a title defence against ex-champion Pongsaklek in Tokyo on Saturday.

Pongsaklek, 32, holds the WBC’s interim title and he has been one of the top fighters in the Orient for years, with many wins in championship fights. He also is no stranger to boxing in Japan, where he has had seven of his title bouts, losing only to his old rival Naito. That was Pongsaklek’s only loss in the last 14 years.

Kameda, 23, boxed beautifully to win a unanimous decision over Naito last November and it is expected that he will use the same fast-moving, hit-and-get-out style against the strong, heavy-handed Thai fighter.

I was greatly impressed with Kameda’s disciplined performance against Naito. He stuck to his boxing, using the ring, picking off the charging, wild-swinging Naito and attacking in bursts. It was as near-perfect a performance as you could wish to see.

Kameda’s youth and speed will be his big assets on Saturday, and he will need them because Pongsaklek is a precise, strong puncher with sound technical ability. If Kameda can keep boxing and moving he can win on points, but it will not be easy keeping the bout at long range.

At some point Pongsaklek is likely to start closing in on him, and Kameda could have to endure some tough moments when he will have to fight his way out of trouble. He is adaptable, though, and I get the impression that he can lift the level of his fighting to meet Saturday’s very tough challenge. I’ll take Kameda to box and fight his way to a close but deserved decision.