Marvin Mabait eyes Tomoki Kameda's WBO Bantam Title
By Jhay Oh Otamias
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Dec 2013
Mabait.
In an interview this afternoon with Filipino boxer Marvin Mabait at the Fortune Gym in Hollywood, downtown LA, the current WBO Inter-continental Bantamweight Champion and no. 7 WBO Bantamweight contender, confided to this writer that he is aiming at the WBO Bantamweight world title of Japanese Tomoki Kameda.
The 25 year old Zamboangueno, known as the "Chavacano Disaster" says he is happy to be based in Los Angeles, and to be welcomed by the famed trainer and conditioning coach, Justine Fortune in his gym. He says, his managers, Gerry Penalosa and Vinny Scolpino have advised him to stay here in California where they are charting more meaningful fights for him and help him achieve his dream of becoming a world champion. His first round demolition of highly regarded Mexican brawler, Johnny Garcia last August 2013 in Polanco, Mexico City, to win the vacant WBO Inter-continental Bantamweight championship, made him also barge into the world rankings as the WBO no. 7 bantamweight contender. For this reason, he says, he wants to be loyal to the WBO, the organization that has given him his initial spurs as a fringe contender, and pursue the WBO World Bantamweight crown.
His quest though, for Tomoki Kameda's WBO Bantamweight title will not be an easy task. The undefeated Japanese Champion, 29-0-0, 18KOs, seems to be getting better in every fight. Given the ring moniker, "El Chicanito" by appreciative Mexican fans, during his ring forays in Quintana Roo, Mexico, Kameda wrested the WBO Bantamweight diadem from Paulus Ambunda of Namibia by unanimous decision in August this year at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines. In his first defense, last December 3, he repulsed the challenge of Ambunda's compatriot, Immanuel Naidjala, also by unanimous decision in Osaka, Japan.
Paulus Ambunda had won the WBO Bantamweight title by a close decision from Purluang Sor Singyo of Thailand, the same Thai who broke the hearts of many Cebuanos, when he knocked out AJ Banal in the 9th round for the then vacant WBO Bantamweight championship on October 20, 2012, at the SM Mall of Asia in Manila, Philippines.
If Marvin Mabait ever gets a crack at Tomoki Kameda's WBO crown, it will be to win the elusive WBO Bantamweight crown, after AJ Banal's failed attempt. Marvin Mabait, 19-1-2, 13KOs, suffered his only defeat at the hands of Marco Demicillo by a 3rd round TKO in April 2012 in Lapulapu City, Cebu, which snapped his 15 winning streak, but has since bounced back with 3 stoppages, including the shock 1st round poleaxing of Johnny Garcia. He says, he has matured and is improving in his craft, and more importantly, feels secured with the moral and financial support of his management team. He is confident that they can arrange for him the build-up fights that will allow him to showcase his skills, and ultimately lead to the world title fight that he aspires.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jhay Oh Otamias.
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