Kameda 118, Manakane 116.2 for WBA Bantamweight Title in Yokohama (Photos)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Apr 2012
Filipino ring official Silvester Abainza to sit as one of the Judges
TOKYO, Japan - Japanese Koki Kameda, the defending WBA regular bantamweight world champion weighed-in 118 lbs (53.5Kgs), while challenger Noldi Manakane of Indonesia tipped the scales at 116.2 lbs (52.7Kgs) ahead of their title clash tonight (April 4) in Yokohama, Japan, and one of the judges is experienced Pinoy judge Silvester Abainza.
The other neutral officials named by the WBA are: referee Raul Caiz Jr. of California, judges Michael Lee of Korea, Ferlin Marsh of New Zealand and supervisor Alan Kim of Korea.
For the popular Koki Kameda, the fight will the fourth defense of his WBA regular bantamweight title and, should he win, there are big plans for the young world champion.
At only 25 years of age, the Japanese star is a 3-division world champion, having won world titles at light flyweight, flyweight and bantamweight divisions. Koki's sole defeat was a controversial lost by points to former champion Pongsaklek Wongjongkam of Thailand.
Kameda (L) and Manakane (R) pose with WBA supervisor Alan Kim of Korea during Tuesday's weighin.
Koki Kameda flexes his muscles after the weighin.
L-R: Ring officials Silvester Abainza, Raul Caiz, Jr. and Alan Kim.
Photos by Carlos Costa.
Cebuano star AJ Banal is rated as Koki Kameda's #5 challenger in the WBA bantamweight division where Mexican Hugo "Cuatito" Ruiz as the interim champion and Panama's Anselmo "Chemito" Moreno, who defeated Vic Darchinyan, is WBA's bantamweight super champion.
Meanwhile, Koki Kameda's challenger, 28-year-old Noldi Manakane (24-10-1, 15KOs), will have his hands full against the talented fast and furious Kameda. Manakane was knocked out in four rounds by AJ Banal in 2009 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
A PINOY IS FEATURED IN ONE OF THE UNDERCARDS
Koki's brother, Daiki Kameda (22-3, 14KOs), will fight in the undercard against Thailander Pompetch Twinsgym (15-3, 4KOs).
Also, in the opening bout of the Yokohama card due to start at 4:20PM (Japan Time), undefeated 21 year-old Filipino Norj Guro (5-0, 4KOs) of Lanao del Norte, in his first fight out of the Philippines, will get in the dangerous line of fire against heavy-handed japanese Riyo Togo (6-2, 6KOs).
In the co-main event, WBA super flyweight world champion Tepparith Kokietgym will battle WBA champion in recess Japan's Tomonobu Shimizu in a WBA super flyweight tile unification.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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